MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index
NHTSA crash test of the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2021 Mitsubishi Mirage Safety Ratings

The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage scores 84 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 0 recalls, and 1 owner complaint on file.

Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar

0Recalls
1Complaints
0Investigations
VERDICT

The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage earned a NHTSA Safety Index of 84/100, securing a "Strong" rating. This result is notably bolstered by an absence of recalls and a near-perfect defect record. The Mirage received consistent crash-test star ratings across all evaluated categories, establishing it as a credible safety option within the used subcompact market.

The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage received a 4-out-of-5-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA and a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test and recall data.

MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026

Among the 94 Sedans from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage ranks 65 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
2021 Mitsubishi Mirage safety at a glance (source: NHTSA)
NHTSA Safety Index84 / 100 (Strong)
Overall crash rating4 of 5 stars
Frontal / Side / Rollover4 / 4 / 4 stars
Rollover risk16.4%
Recalls on file0
Owner complaints1 (unverified allegations)
Class rank65 of 94 Sedans tested for 2021
Data verifiedOct 1, 2026

ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage?

The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage distinguishes itself with a substantial improvement in its defect record. This model year registered zero recall campaigns, and its complaint file contains only one unverified allegation, contributing 19.25 out of a possible 20 points in that component. This strong performance in defect control anchors its NHTSA Safety Index score of 84 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band, a six-point rise from the 2020 model's 78. This improvement does not stem from new crash-test results. The 2021 Mirage maintains the 4-star NHTSA ratings across overall, frontal, side, and rollover categories, consistent with its predecessor. Crash protection contributes 56 out of 70 points to its overall Safety Index. In terms of active safety, the avoidance-tech score is 8.5 out of 10. Forward collision warning and electronic stability control are standard, while lane departure warning is offered as an option. The defining safety characteristic of the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage is its notably clean defect history.

NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage perform in crash tests?

The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage achieves a respectable 4 out of 5 stars in the NHTSA's overall safety rating. This four-star performance extends consistently across all tested categories: frontal crash, side impact, and rollover. Notably, the dynamic tip test for rollover risk returned a "No Tip" result, indicating a strong performance in that specific assessment, despite a calculated rollover risk of 16 percent.

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 16.4%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15518

Index breakdown

Crash protection56/70
Avoidance tech8.5/10
Defect record19.25/20
Forward collision warning: StandardLane departure warning: OptionalStability control: Standard

NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images

Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.

NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage have any recalls?

The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage has zero recall campaigns on file with NHTSA. No components have been flagged, and there are no park-outside or do-not-drive advisories associated with this model year. That clean recall record is a meaningful contributor to its 19.25 out of 20 defect record score within the Safety Index.

No vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage at NHTSA as of 2026-10-01. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the safety score.

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage?

NHTSA has received one owner complaint for the 2021 Mirage, an unverified allegation involving the Air Bags component. That single report includes an alleged crash and one alleged injury. These are unverified consumer allegations reported to NHTSA, not established facts, and the complaint volume is notably low for a vehicle of this age.

1 owner complaint on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

1reported crash
0reported fire
1reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsAir Bags 1

USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage?

No recalls were on file for the 2021 Mirage at the time of this analysis. Shoppers considering a used model should, however, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database before purchase to confirm no new campaigns have been opened since production, and to verify any open campaigns have a completed remedy.

  • The 2021 Mirage Safety Index rose six points year-over-year, from 78 out of 100 in the Average band to 84 out of 100 in the Strong band, a shift driven primarily by a near-perfect defect record score of 19.25 out of 20.
  • Zero NHTSA recall campaigns are associated with this specific model year, distinguishing it from many vehicles of comparable age in the used market.
  • NHTSA recorded only one unverified owner complaint for this model year, an alleged Air Bags issue involving one reported crash and one reported injury, representing an exceptionally low complaint volume.
  • Forward collision warning and electronic stability control are standard on this model year, while lane departure warning is optional, a distinction that directly shapes the avoidance-tech score of 8.5 out of 10 in the Safety Index.

RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage places

The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:

FAQ2021 Mitsubishi Mirage safety questions

Was the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage crash-tested by NHTSA?

Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.

What are the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage crash-test star ratings?

In NHTSA testing the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 4 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.

How many recalls does the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage have?

According to NHTSA recall data, no vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage as of Oct 1, 2026. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the Safety Index. Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm the status is current.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage?

According to NHTSA's complaint database, 1 owner complaint is on file for the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.

READ MORE

Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.

Other Mirage years

Rivals in Sedan (2021)

Safest Sedan rivals, 2021 (NHTSA Safety Index)
VehicleNHTSA Safety IndexOverall starsRecalls
2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback100/100not rated0
2021 Audi S5 Sportback100/100not rated0
2021 Nissan Maxima100/1005 of 50
2021 Audi A4 Allroad99/100not rated1
2021 Cadillac CT5-V97/100not rated0
2021 Infiniti Q5097/100not rated3
HOW THIS PAGE WAS MADE
  • DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15518), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Mitsubishi Mirage 2021.
  • SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 65 of 94 in the Sedan class for 2021.
  • EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
  • VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.