Head-to-head reliability
Mitsubishi Mirage G4 vs Toyota Camry
How the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mitsubishi Mirage G4 vs Toyota Camry: The Mirage G4 has 65 complaints over 8 years (8.1/year) and 2 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. Both have air bag-related issues, but the Camry's higher volume explains more complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mitsubishi Mirage G4
The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is a subcompact sedan with a low average of about 8 complaints per year over eight years, but the pattern shows early wear on front-end parts and electrical quirks. Air bag complaints are the most common, often tied to crashes where the bags didn't deploy as expected. Owners also report brake and serpentine belt failures within the first couple of years, and some say the speedometer is hard to read in certain light. Overall, it's a simple car with a small but notable list of recurring trouble spots.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher total complaint count—about 206 per year over ten years—but that reflects its huge sales volume. The most frequent issues involve the power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and electronic parking brake problems. Recalls cover seats, air bag sensors, and wheel studs. While the Camry has more complaints in total, the rate per vehicle is likely lower, and many issues are addressed by recalls or dealer fixes.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mitsubishi Mirage G4 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 65 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 15 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 8.1 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mitsubishi Mirage G4
- 01AIR BAGS21
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
- 04ENGINE11
- 05SERVICE BRAKES8
Owners describe crashes where the air bags did not deploy, including a rear-end collision and a loss-of-control incident. This is a critical safety concern because air bags are a primary restraint in a crash.
Reports include front brakes failing and a serpentine belt going bad within 18 months, plus a speedometer that is hard to read on cloudy days. These issues can affect braking performance and driver awareness of speed.
One owner reported the engine light, battery light, and all lights coming on, followed by loud banging and the car dying on the highway. Such sudden engine failure can leave a driver stranded and create a safety risk.
A complaint mentions front brakes going out shortly after purchase. Brake failure is a serious safety issue that should be inspected immediately on any used Mirage G4.
“On [XXX], I was traveling back to Colorado from Missouri. The weather conditions turned poor while I was traveling just west of Topeka, Kansas. I lowered my speed to below the speed limit and continued. At one point, the car lost control. At this time, it vee…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE G4. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF HER VEHICLE AT A HIGH SPEED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck even when the car is in Park, requiring a battery disconnect to remove it. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, which can indicate transmission or engine management problems.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and hesitation/shuddering at various speeds. These drivability issues can be frustrating and may point to sensor or fuel system faults.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is reported as common. These problems can prevent the car from moving or cause concern about brake reliability.
Multiple systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—malfunctioned at once in one report. Such widespread electronic failures can be dangerous if they occur while driving.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mitsubishi Mirage G4 — 2 recalls
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mirage G4 vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations, such as from poor road conditions or a flat tire, as a malfunction a…
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: MMNA notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-19-001.
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mirage G4 vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations, such as from poor road conditions or a flat tire, as a malfunction a…
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: MMNA notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-19-001.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Mitsubishi Mirage G4 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 has far fewer complaints per year (about 8) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Camry's higher count is partly due to its much larger sales volume. In practice, the Mirage G4's issues tend to be early wear items like brakes and belts, while the Camry's complaints often involve more complex electronic and power train systems. Both have air bag-related recalls, but the Camry has more recalls overall.
Key differences
- The Mirage G4 averages about 8 complaints per year, while the Camry averages about 206 per year, but the Camry sells in much higher volumes.
- Mirage G4 owners frequently report early brake and serpentine belt failures, while Camry owners report power train hesitation and electronic parking brake problems.
- Air bag complaints are the top category for the Mirage G4, often involving non-deployment in crashes; the Camry has recalls for air bag occupant classification sensors.
- The Camry has 31 recalls covering seats, wheels, and air bags, versus 2 recalls for the Mirage G4, both for air bags.
- Check for any signs of air bag warning lights or prior crash damage, as non-deployment is a reported issue.
- Inspect front brakes and serpentine belt for premature wear, especially on low-mileage examples.
- Test the ignition key removal and electronic parking brake operation, as stuck keys and non-disengaging brakes are reported.
- Look for hesitation or shuddering during a test drive and check for stored check engine codes.
Before you buy
- Ask for the full NHTSA recall history and confirm all recalls are repaired, especially air bag recalls on both vehicles.
- Take a test drive that includes braking, accelerating, and using the parking brake to check for the reported issues.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brakes, belts, and suspension on the Mirage G4, and the transmission and electronic systems on the Camry.
- Check for any signs of prior accident damage, particularly on the Mirage G4 given air bag complaints.
- Verify that the speedometer and all dashboard lights are clearly visible and functioning on the Mirage G4.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Mitsubishi Mirage G4 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 50 |
| 2023 | 5 | 64 |
| 2022 | 3 | 61 |
| 2021 | 2 | 157 |
| 2020 | 4 | 274 |
| 2019 | 6 | 395 |
| 2018 | 11 | 744 |
| 2017 | 28 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mitsubishi Mirage G4 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mitsubishi Mirage G4 vs Toyota Camry
- Mitsubishi Mirage G4 total complaints
- 65
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mitsubishi Mirage G4 total recalls
- 2
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mitsubishi Mirage G4 avg complaints/year
- 8.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mitsubishi Mirage G4
- Mitsubishi Mirage G4 top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN