MitsubishiMirage19991.8L/mitsubishi/mirage/1999/1-8l/

1999 Mitsubishi Mirage — 1.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 Mirage 1.8L.

Engine 1.8LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.8L comes with a 1.8‑liter engine that requires 4.0 qt of 10W‑30/5W‑30 API oil and is mated to a four‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined. With 58 total owner complaints, the model’s most frequent issue area is Engine & Engine Cooling, and it carries five recalls. Placed within the Mirage’s complaint history from 1990 to 2024, this year sits above the low of 1 complaint in 2016 but well below the peak of 88 complaints in 1997, indicating a moderate reliability standing for the nameplate.

Model year200220012000199919981997199619951994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 435 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 435 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175-65R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072
Engine air filterMR552951
Fuel filterMR204132
Spark plugMS851237 alt MS851357
Front wiper blades8250A174 alt MZ690946
Serpentine beltMD311554 alt MD338513
ThermostatMD337408

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 1999 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

8.7–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.70 sec — 1994 LS Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2000DE Sedan 1.8L I-49.40 sec17.00 sec111 hpFWD
1997LS Coupe 1.8L I-48.90 sec16.90 sec113 hpFWD
1994LS Coupe 1.8L I-48.70 sec16.60 sec113 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Power Steering FluidUse Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts134 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts71 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub130-203 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub130 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.5-0.7 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance15,000-22,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug TypeBKR5E-11
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.23-1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type56
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance435 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-183 °F
Engine Compression199-151 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression137 Minimum psi
Engine Compression151 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure11.4 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm

Brakes

Wheel Application13 inch WHEELS / 14 inch WHEELS
Torque Caliper to BracketUpper: 36
Torque to Knuckle65-80 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Wheel Application13 inch WHEELS / 14 inch WHEELS
Rotor Runout Limit0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.709 in / 0.945 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-10015 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-10018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1999 Mitsubishi Mirage recorded 58 complaints, five recalls and 39 total service‑bulletins, placing its complaint volume above the 1998 (44) and 2000 (36) figures but below the 1997 peak of 88. Recalls in 1999 (5) are comparable to those in 1998 and 2000 (each 4), indicating no unusual recall surge for that model year. The top complaint categories — Engine & Engine Cooling (11), Structure (9), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (9) and Air Bags (6) — account for a substantial share of the reported issues and align with the vehicle’s known structural and power‑train concerns across the generation. Crash‑related complaints totaled 14, while fire complaints were zero, reflecting limited safety‑critical incidents for this year. Consequently, while the 1999 model does not represent the highest risk in the model line, its elevated complaint level relative to neighboring years advises a cautious approach and a thorough inspection before purchase.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
39
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
58
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 58 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling11
Structure9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Air Bags6
Power Train3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Electrical System2
Service Brakes, Air,Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00V311001Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 02/10/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES: MIRAGE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.5L ENGINES; MONTERO SPORT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES; AND MONTERO MODELS EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L ENGINES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT… Remedy: ON THE MIRAGE VEHICLES, THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, IMPROVED CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT ON THE OLDER ENGINES. ON NEW ENGINES WHICH ALREADY HAVE THE IMPROVED BOLT, THE DEALER WILL…

01V340001Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 05/11/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLT SECURING THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY CAN BECOME LOOSE AND THE PULLEY COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO INSURE THAT THE BOLT IS TIGHTENED. FOR THOSE BOLTS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, THE BOLT AND PULLEY WILL BE REMOVED AND INSPECTED FOR ANY…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 39 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB-22-54-0032022-04-07Exterior LightingThis Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…
TSB-21-34-0012021-06-03SuspensionThis Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil…
TIN-20-55B-0012020-09-22Engine And Engine CoolingTechnical Information Notice to dealerships. Due to the increased occurrence of…
TT2532019-11-26EquipmentThis is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
TSB-19-00-0082019-07-30EquipmentThis is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 Mirage 1.8L take?

4.0 qt of ABOVE 0 degreesF 10W-30 SL API, BELOW 100 degreesF 5W-30 SL API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 Mirage have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 1.8L get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.