Mitsubishi Mirage: common faults & what to check

Which Mitsubishi Mirage are you looking at?

1 generation variant documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

1 variant documented

2012–nowLA2012–nowLA1.2 petrolPetrolDocumented issues9 knownSee faults & what to checkKickTyres illustration, not a photograph.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Mitsubishi Mirage

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Mitsubishi Mirage before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Costly issue

  During test drive: accelerate gently from standstill between 10–40 km/h and hold steady throttle.

  See why

  CVT INVECS-III Push-Belt Judder on Acceleration

  The INVECS-III CVT fitted to A03A/A05A Mirages uses a push-belt running between variable-diameter pulleys. When the dedicated CVT fluid (Mitsubishi SP-III/DiaQueen CVTF-J1) degrades — typically after 60,000+ km or in stop-start city use — the belt micro-slips on the pulley faces, producing a pronounced shudder during light-throttle take-off and low-speed cruising. Mitsubishi issued TSB MUT-0120CVTF covering an urgent fluid drain-and-refill procedure. Many cars reach NZ/AU with fluid never changed, making judder almost universal in high-mileage examples.

  What you would notice

  • Rhythmic shudder or vibration felt through the cabin at 10–40 km/h light throttle
  • Hesitation then lurch when pulling away from traffic lights
  • Shudder worsens when engine is cold and diminishes (but does not disappear) once fully warm
  • Occasional harsh engagement when selecting Drive from Park after the vehicle has sat overnight
  • Burnt or discoloured CVT fluid on inspection

  Typically $180–$6,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Cold-start the engine after it has been off overnight.

  See why

  3A92 Timing Chain Guide Wear — Cold-Start Rattle

  The 1.2 L 3A92 three-cylinder uses a plastic-composite timing chain guide and tensioner rail on the wet side of the engine. In production years 2012–2017 the guide material is insufficiently robust for the short oil-film build-up time at cold start, leading to accelerated wear. The worn guide allows the chain to whip against the aluminium cover, producing a characteristic metallic rattle for the first 5–30 seconds after a cold start. If left unaddressed the guide can fragment, depositing plastic into the oil sump; in severe cases the chain skips timing and causes bent valves. Mitsubishi issued a revised guide kit (part prefix MD-series) as a running production change from approximately 2018.

  What you would notice

  • Metallic rattling noise at cold start that clears within 30 seconds
  • Rattle is louder in cold ambient temperatures (below 10°C)
  • Engine oil inspection reveals fine plastic or metallic particles
  • Check Engine light with camshaft/crankshaft correlation code (P0016/P0017) in advanced cases
  • Visible blue or white smoke on start-up if guide debris has contaminated piston rings

  Typically $650–$2,200 to put right.

• Common issue

  With engine idling, switch AC on and listen for a single sharp click from the compressor clutch engaging, followed by smooth quiet operation.

  See why

  Air Conditioning Compressor Bearing and Clutch Failure

  The AC compressor fitted to both 3A90 and 3A92 Mirage variants (supplied by Sanden or Denso depending on production run) is a known premature failure point. The electromagnetic clutch coil burns out or the front bearing seizes, often before 100,000 km. When the clutch seizes, the compressor locks up and snaps the serpentine drive belt, leaving the vehicle without charging and cooling. In NZ/AU summer conditions the failure rate accelerates due to prolonged AC use. Mitsubishi carried out a quiet warranty extension on AC compressors on some 2014–2016 models in certain markets following elevated warranty claims.

  What you would notice

  • Grinding or rumbling noise from the front of the engine that increases with AC on
  • AC system blowing warm air despite compressor engaging
  • Serpentine belt shredding or snapping suddenly (seized compressor)
  • Battery warning light and loss of power steering (loss of drive belt causing alternator failure)
  • Intermittent AC clutch engagement — clicking on and off rapidly

  Typically $700–$1,800 to put right.

• Common issue

  During test drive: engage first gear slowly on a slight uphill and release the clutch progressively.

  See why

  5-Speed Manual Clutch Plate Shudder and Premature Wear

  The 5-speed manual gearbox fitted to the Mirage (paired with both 3A90 and 3A92 engines) uses a single-plate dry clutch with an organic friction disc. The disc is undersized relative to the torque demands of stop-start city driving, particularly when drivers rest the foot on the clutch pedal or engage the clutch at high rpm. The result is accelerated glazing of the friction surface and clutch shudder — a low-frequency vibration on take-off that can be mistaken for engine misfire. Multiple owner forum reports indicate clutch replacement becomes necessary before 80,000 km in typical NZ/AU urban-use conditions. The flywheel surface also develops hot-spots requiring resurfacing or replacement.

  What you would notice

  • Vibration or judder through the cabin when taking off from rest in first gear
  • Clutch pedal biting point progressively rising toward fully released position
  • Burning smell from the clutch area during normal urban driving
  • Engine revs rise without proportional increase in vehicle speed under load (clutch slip)
  • Difficulty engaging reverse gear cleanly with a clunk or crunch

  Typically $750–$1,600 to put right.

• Common issue

  With the engine warm and idling in Drive with your foot on the brake, feel the vibration level; excessive shake points to mounts.

  See why

  Engine mount wear causing idle vibration (1.2 3A92 three-cylinder)

  The 1.2-litre three-cylinder is inherently thrummy, and the Mirage's small engine mounts take the brunt of it. Worn mounts let the natural three-cylinder shake come through the cabin at idle, with a clunk on take-up or when shifting between drive and reverse. It is cheap to fix but often misdiagnosed as an engine problem; a healthy 3A92 should smooth out completely once warm and above idle. Accessory pulley bearings can also squeal under load on higher-km cars.

  What you would notice

  • Vibration through the steering wheel and seat at idle
  • Clunk when selecting Drive or Reverse
  • Squeal from the belt area when accelerating
  • Vibration smooths out above idle

  Typically $250–$800 to put right.

• Worth checking

  With the engine running, turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock slowly in a car park.

  See why

  Electric Power Steering (EPS) Motor and Control Unit Fault

  The Mirage uses a column-mounted electric power steering (C-EPS) system. The EPS motor and its dedicated ECU are documented failure items, particularly on 2012–2016 cars driven on rough sealed roads. Common failure modes include the EPS motor brushes wearing out, the torque sensor losing calibration, or the control unit developing internal relay faults. When the EPS ECU detects a fault it disables power assist entirely and illuminates the EPS warning light. Steering reverts to fully manual — still controllable but significantly heavier, particularly at low speed and parking. In some documented cases the fault is intermittent and only appears after the vehicle warms up.

  What you would notice

  • Orange or red EPS/steering warning light illuminating on the dashboard
  • Sudden increase in steering effort (feels like power assist has switched off)
  • Intermittent heavy steering that resolves when the car cools down or is restarted
  • Steering wheel failing to self-centre at road speed
  • Groaning or grinding noise from the steering column when turning at low speed

  Typically $450–$1,400 to put right.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Mitsubishi Mirage’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Cambelt Replacement Cost
• Timing Chain Replacement Cost
• CVT Gearbox Repair Cost

Other Mitsubishi models