Head-to-head reliability
Mitsubishi Mirage vs FORD F 150
How the Mitsubishi Mirage and FORD F 150 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 vs FORD F 150: The Mirage averages 9.6 complaints per year with 6 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 has far more reported power train and electrical failures, but the Mirage has brake and air bag concerns. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mitsubishi Mirage or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mitsubishi Mirage
The Mitsubishi Mirage is a subcompact car with a low complaint rate—about 9.6 per year over a decade—but the pattern shows recurring brake and air bag concerns. Owners describe brakes that either grab too hard or don't engage enough, and some report loss of control in bad weather. Electrical gremlins like radios that stay on and stalling at stop signs also appear. With only 6 recalls, it's a simpler car to own, but the brake complaints are worth taking seriously.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume—over 11,600 in ten years, averaging more than 1,100 per year. The dominant theme is power train trouble, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. Electrical issues, including rear window defroster shorts that shatter glass, are also common. With 151 recalls, this truck demands diligent maintenance and recall checks.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mitsubishi Mirage | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 96 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 25 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 9.6 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 28 Better | 297 |
| 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
- 01AIR BAGS31
- 02SERVICE BRAKES19
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER16
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
Owners report air bag-related complaints often tied to braking events, with some describing loss of control in poor weather. The concern is that air bags may not deploy as expected in a crash, and the high injury count (28) suggests real harm.
Braking is described as inconsistent—either too abrupt or too weak—which can be frightening in sudden-stop situations. One owner also noted a sticking front-left rubber part, an overheating shaft, and front axle vibration, pointing to mechanical wear.
Complaints include the radio turning on by itself when starting the car, which can distract the driver. Another owner reported stalling at a stop sign with check engine and wrench lights, requiring a restart after waiting.
This area appears in the top components, though sample complaints don't detail specific failures. Buyers should test cruise control and throttle response, as speed control issues can affect drivability and safety.
“WHEN HAVING TO BRAKE WITH ANY SUDDENNESS AT ALL, I MET TWO EXTREMES. THEY EITHER ENGAGED SO ABRUPTLY EVERYTHING WAS THROWN FORWARD, OR THEY FAILED TO ENGAGE ENOUGH. SUDDEN- I DESCRIBE THIS TYPE OF BRAKING AS WHEN BEING CUT IN FRONT OF. THE NECESSITY TO BRAKE…”
“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…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners repeatedly report transmission problems: limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue 'nearly ended my life,' highlighting the safety risk.
Electrical complaints include the same lead frame issue and a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to explode outward. Another owner had an output speed sensor failure that triggered highway limp mode.
This is a top complaint area, though sample texts don't specify the exact failure. Buyers should check all lights, including brake and turn signals, as lighting problems can reduce visibility and increase crash risk.
Engine complaints are common, and recalls include engine-related subjects. While sample texts don't detail engine failures, the high complaint volume suggests owners experience engine drivability or reliability issues that may require costly repairs.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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 — 6 recalls
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mirage vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations such as those from poor road conditions or a flat tire to be a sensor er…
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as designed in a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-006.
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mirage vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations such as those from poor road conditions or a flat tire to be a sensor er…
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as designed in a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-006.
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mirage vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations such as those from poor road conditions or a flat tire to be a sensor er…
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as designed in a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-006.
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicles manufactured July 27, 2013, to September 2, 2015. If the driver enters an affected vehicle with their feet covered water and salt, it may soak through the carpet and cause corrosion to…
The risk: In the event of a crash, corrosion of the connector could delay deployment of the frontal air bags, increasing the risk of injury to the driver and the front seat passenger.
The fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected connectors, replacing any found to be corroded. A waterproof sheet will be installed over the connectors to prevent future corrosion. These repairs will be performed free of ch…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Mitsubishi Mirage or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mitsubishi Mirage has far fewer issues per year—about 9.6 complaints annually versus 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means the Mirage owner is much less likely to face frequent repair visits, while the F-150 owner should expect ongoing attention to transmission and electrical problems. However, the Mirage's brake and air bag complaints still warrant caution.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 100 times more complaints per year than the Mitsubishi Mirage, driven largely by power train and electrical failures.
- Mirage owners report inconsistent braking and air bag concerns, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause sudden power loss.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 6 for the Mirage, meaning the truck requires more frequent recall checks and repairs.
- The Mirage's electrical complaints are mostly distractions like a radio turning on, while the F-150's electrical issues include a rear window defroster short that shattered glass.
- Test the brakes at various speeds for abrupt engagement or weak stopping; listen for front-end noise and check for vibration that could indicate strut mount or axle issues.
- Check that the radio does not turn on by itself when starting the car, and verify there are no stored check engine or wrench codes from prior stalling.
- During a test drive, watch for transmission limp mode, rough shifting, or getting stuck in a gear; ask if the lead frame has been replaced.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or prior replacement, and check for any electrical gremlins like warning lights or sensor codes.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles, especially the F-150's many engine and air bag recalls.
- For the Mirage, have a mechanic inspect brakes, air bags, and front suspension for the reported sticking and vibration issues.
- For the F-150, scan for transmission codes (like P0722) and test drive at highway speeds to check for limp mode.
- Ask for maintenance records, focusing on transmission service for the F-150 and brake repairs for the Mirage.
- Take a long test drive on varied roads, including sudden stops for the Mirage and highway merging for the F-150.
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 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 638 |
| 2023 | 5 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 2 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 2 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 1 | 44 |
| 2019 | 5 | 52 |
| 2018 | 10 | 79 |
| 2017 | 28 | 59 |
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 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mitsubishi Mirage vs FORD F 150
- Mitsubishi Mirage total complaints
- 96
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mitsubishi Mirage total recalls
- 6
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mitsubishi Mirage avg complaints/year
- 9.6
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mitsubishi Mirage
- Mitsubishi Mirage top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN