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The 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage has a bad rap for being one of the worst cars to own. Although it was one of the cheapest cars on sale when it was new, many owners weren’t happy with their selection. With quick-wearing brake pads, faulty Bluetooth connections, and airbag recalls, the news isn’t good. Considering the Japanese compact hatchback is still on used car lots across America, it’s essential to know the issues that lie within. Don’t let an attractive bargain sway you just yet.

CarComplaints reports that the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage has a well-stocked filing cabinet full of owner grievances. While they encompass the car, the following are the five most pressing issues.

Problem #1: Premature brake wear

2015 Mitsubishi Mirage
2015 Mitsubishi Mirage | Mitsubishi

The issue with most complaints revolves around the brakes. Owners claim that the brake rotors and brake pads are prematurely worn. The problem can surface with as little as 2,000 miles on the odometer, leading to “pulsation” in the brake pedal.

Problem #2: Transmission hesitation

Some owners report transmission failure in their 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage. A myriad of issues plagues the Mirage, from shifting hesitation to loss of acceleration. Notably, the problems occur in Mirages equipped with the continuously variable automatic transmission.

Problem #3: Faulty Bluetooth connection

2015 Mitsubishi Mirage
2015 Mitsubishi Mirage | Mitsubishi

The Mirage’s infotainment system fails to remain connected to a user’s smartphone. Owners say they can only reconnect by uninstalling the phone and reprogramming it from the beginning. Unfortunately, owners are told by dealerships the issue lies in the phone, not the car.

Problem #4: Premature tire wear

This issue on the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage could be related to the brakes. However, owners have complained their cars seem to drift and not drive straight. Tire problems seem to not have a remedy other than replacing them.

Problem #5: Airbag malfunctioning

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) twice recalled the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage’s airbags. One for a corroding airbag wiring connector and the other for a faulty restraint system control unit. Fortunately, the Mitsubishi remedied recalled examples free of charge.

Should you buy a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage?

2015 Mitsubishi Mirage
2015 Mitsubishi Mirage | Mitsubishi

The modern Mitsubishi Mirage returned to the U.S. in 2012. In its 12 years of being one of the cheapest compact cars on sale, one model sticks out as the worst. The 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage is by far the most complained about the car. Apart from the 2014 model year Mitsubishi Mirage, the 2015 model has more than double the complaints of any other year Mirage.

That being said, the Mirage is very cheap to fix. RepairPal says the average annual repair cost is only $442. The two most expensive repairs deal with the car’s air conditioning system. Therefore, the likelihood of the Mirage leaving one stranded is relatively low. Moreover, they rate the 2015 Mirage’s reliability “4.5 out of 5.0,” good for 7th out of 21 cars in the segment.

Regardless, there are many other model year Mitsubishi Mirages to choose from that have far fewer issues. So, in a word, no. You shouldn’t buy the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage.  

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