Automakers are constantly trying to stay ahead of the curve by delivering something new and mind blowing. Whether it’s developing cars with superior speed, or creating an electric engine that can go further than the competition, things are constantly changing and evolving in the autoworld. Unfortunately, it seems like every Mitsubishi Mirage model year has had more than its share of problems, and the Japanese automaker doesn’t seem to be concerned about adding any new innovation. 

There are some of the typical problems that can face a vehicle, such as faulty brakes, and then there is one major problem for the Mirage that left owners livid after Mitsubishi assured them it was no big deal. Car Complaints has all the details about which model years are the worst of the worst.

The Mitsubishi Mirage has one of the worst reputations of any sedan on the market

The Mitsubishi Mirage doesn’t have that great of a track record. In fact, it’s very rare to find a critic that has anything good to say about a Mirage, especially in recent years. It’s considered to be one of the worst cars you can buy new due to its poor ratings.

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage is perhaps the most well known model year. This is thanks in large part to a rather brutal but comical review from Kelley Blue Book. The driver seat is very comfortable, but that couldn’t make up for the other faults like an engine that is so weak, it can’t get you up a steep hill. Sadly, it’s not the worst model year.

The 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage is the worst year overall

According to Car Complaints, the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage is the worst model year. There were several problems reported, but the most common problem overall is the brakes. That seems to apply for most of the model years, and it was what plagued the 2015 model year the most.

Fixing the brakes isn’t that big of a deal, but it’s not something you want to do every few months. One owner reports that they had to replace the brakes on all four tires twice in two years. Another said that they had only been able to drive their Mirage a total of 5,200 miles before having to fix the brakes. 

Each review said they had their 2015 Mirage for only a few months before they had to get the brakes repaired. On average, this costs around $950. Since most of the people who bought the Mirage did so because they thought they were getting a good deal, that one really hurt.

The second and third worst problems listed revolved around replacing the doors. While one reviewer never stated which door needed to be replaced, she mentioned that it would cost her over $2,000 to have it repaired.

Sadly, the door hinges began to give her problems around the 35,000-mile mark. Not that it actually mattered, since the extended warranty doesn’t cover simple things like a door that falls off. Apparently it’s not that big of a deal to Mitsubishi, as it claimed this is merely normal wear and tear.

Another reviewer reported that both the passenger and driver side door were falling off. She feared opening her doors because she was afraid she couldn’t get them back on. This meant she had to climb in and out the backseat. This was especially frustrating to her because she worked a professional job, and she had to do so in front of her coworkers. 

Things aren’t getting any better

The 2020 model year isn’t getting much love from critics, and many consider it to be unreliable. In fact, it ranked last place on more than one critic’s list. 

The safety scores were decent enough, but far from great. In fact, describing the scores as mediocre might be a little closer to the truth. Mitsubishi also doesn’t offer any real safety tech, so if you like features like lane departure warning and back up cameras, keep shopping.

The 2021 model year is already flopping in the reviews as well. Once again, it is the lackluster engine that sinks the Mirage. Compared to other competitors in the same segment, you’d be better off avoiding the Mirage.