MODEL
Mitsubishi Mirage
NHTSA safety across every Mitsubishi Mirage model year we cover.
Across the 6 model years of the Mitsubishi Mirage we cover (2019 to 2024), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2024 at 85 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2019 at 77. No recalls are on record across those years.
The Mitsubishi Mirage sedan slots into the subcompact segment as one of the most accessible entry-level cars on the American market, aimed squarely at budget-conscious urban commuters and first-time buyers. It trades outright performance for affordability and ease of ownership, and in sedan form it offers a conventional, practical footprint. Safety-minded shoppers on a tight budget deserve a clear-eyed look at what the numbers actually say.
At MotorCaliber, we evaluate safety through crash-test performance, recall history, and owner complaint data, and the Mitsubishi Mirage sedan presents a genuinely mixed but largely reassuring picture across the 2019 to 2024 model years we cover. The best NHTSA Safety Index we recorded is 85 out of 100 for the 2022 model year, placing it in the Strong band. Typical crash-test ratings for the best year reach 4 out of 5 stars across frontal, side, and rollover categories, a respectable showing for a vehicle in this price bracket. One standout on the positive side is the recall record: zero recalls across six model years. That is a genuinely clean slate and a meaningful data point for anyone who worries about ownership disruptions tied to safety-related defects. Owner complaints are also quite low, with only 17 total filed across the covered span, including 3 reported crashes and 3 reported injuries. These are unverified allegations, but the volume itself is modest for a multi-year window. The Mirage is not a segment benchmark for crash-test excellence, and the Safety Index does dip into the Average band in some years. Shoppers should check the specific model year they are considering. Overall, the Mirage's safety profile is adequate and its recall-free record is a genuine strength, but buyers who prioritize top-tier crash scores may want to cross-shop within the subcompact class.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Mitsubishi Mirage as a bare-bones commuter that prioritizes low cost of entry above all else. Most acknowledge it delivers on that promise while noting it trails more polished competitors in refinement, power, and feature content. Safety is rarely cited as a standout concern, though reviewers consistently position it as a vehicle where compromises are baked into the value proposition.
- The 2022 Mirage sedan earned the strongest NHTSA Safety Index in our covered range at 85 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band, so model year selection matters when prioritizing safety scores.
- The Mirage sedan recorded zero recalls across all model years from 2019 through 2024, an unusually clean recall history that reduces the risk of safety-related service disruptions.
- Typical crash-test ratings for the best-performing year reach 4 out of 5 stars in frontal, side, and rollover categories, which is a solid but not class-leading result in the subcompact segment.
- Owner complaints are low in absolute terms at 17 total across six model years, with 3 reported crashes and 3 reported injuries noted as unverified allegations, suggesting the vehicle does not generate an unusual volume of safety-related concerns from owners.