1987 Mitsubishi Mirage — 1.5L

The 1987 Mitsubishi Mirage falls outside the provided federal complaint and recall data, which begins in 1990 for this generation, limiting direct year-to-year comparison. However, the data reveals a clear trend: the early 1990s (1990–1992) show moderate complaint volumes (16–42 annually) and recalls (1–2 per year), while a sharp spike occurs in 1993 with 84 complaints and 5 recalls, suggesting emerging systemic issues. The 1987 model’s isolated complaint data—two for seat belts and one each for electrical system and fire—does not specify root causes but aligns with broader generational concerns about safety and electrical reliability. Without earlier data, it’s impossible to determine if 1987 was a peak or trough in defect rates, though its low reported complaints may reflect underreporting or survivorship bias in aging vehicles. The fire complaint is notable but not corroborated by a recall or investigation. **Takeaway: The 1987 Mirage’s limited complaint record offers no red flags, but the absence of data for its model year and the generation’s later reliability issues warrant extreme caution—this is a high-risk buy unless meticulously documented.**