2013-2024 Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2L Engine (3A92): Problems, Longevity, and Specs

Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the few small city cars still available on the US market. It manages to sell over 20,000 vehicles a year even though the entire class of these cars is in huge crisis in North America. Although the model is more or less successful, car experts doubt there will be the seventh generation and they believe we are seeing the last years of this model.

In this article, I will tell you specifically about the 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine that powers the little Mitsubishi Mirage and also about its potential longevity. I will touch on both the technical and practical sides of owning this vehicle with its engine and transmission and will also express my opinion on how you can prolong the lifespan of the engine.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2012-now
• Average lifespan of 3A92:140,000-170,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:port injection
• Power range:78-80 hp
• Fuel efficiency:excellent
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:bad oil consumption, weak timing chain and phasers, electronic throttle issues, thermostat problems.

What should you know about the 1.2L engine in the Mirage?

This is certainly not a source of pride for Mitsubishi. The small engine is just made to power the small vehicle and take it from point A to point B without consuming too much fuel. The engine will not give you any positive emotions when driving this car, it won't make you hold your breath when you're pressing that pedal to the metal. This is just the engine that just works and moves your small car.

The 3A92 engine was first seen in 2012 and hasn't been modified since then. It was made to fit under the hood of the Mirage only (with different names in different markets like Space Star or Attrage). The engine weighs only 93 kilos and this is one of the lightest machines I've ever seen.

Here are some features you may want to know about it:

• this is the 1.2-liter 3-cylinder all-aluminum engine with 12 valves, without any turbocharger, offering 76 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque;
• the engine has a simple port injection system which is good for durability and cheap maintenance;
• the timing system is driven by a chain that is said to be OK for the entire lifespan of the engine;
• there are no hydraulic lifters, so the valves will need to be adjusted from time to time;
• the engine has the phasers - the original Mitsubishi MIVEC system which is pretty efficient yet hard to repair;
• all Mirage models come equipped with the CVT - a pretty good transmission but not the most durable one;
• you will get about 36 MPG in the city and up to 43 MPG on highways which is not what I expected initially.

Yes, the gas mileage doesn't look good. But in a super-small engine coupled with the CVT, you may expect to get even better MPG in the city. When it comes to highways, I doubt you'll be able to get the advertised 43 MPG because for this you will need to drive at about 50 MPH constantly.

This engine is not made for highways, it will work at a very high RPM to get your Mirage to a decent speed. This will result in vibrations, low gas economy, and quick engine wear. But when driving in the city, in the standard stop-and-go traffic, you won't notice a lot of standard 3-cylinder problems like vibrations and low power.

How many miles will this engine last?

While with very good maintenance and care you should expect to get more than average, I suppose that 160,000 miles should be considered the lifespan of this engine. The problem is that many drivers will rev up the engine beyond its comfortable revolutions and this will slowly kill it.

Also, you can take it to 160K miles and beyond in that case only if you care about the engine, use proper oil and parts, understand its weaknesses, and pay attention to all possible symptoms of upcoming problems. Otherwise, 100,000 miles is more or less high mileage for this engine.

Also, you should care about the CVT. The vehicle uses the Jatco JF015E transmission and this is not the world's best CVT you can get. The unit will most likely require replacement at about 100,000 miles. If you are very lucky, you will be OK with an expensive repair. Fluid change once every 25,000 miles will prolong the life of the transmission.

So, the overall longevity of the Mirage's 1.2-liter engine and its transmission is not that great. But you certainly can prolong it knowing about its weak sides.

What are the common problems with the 1.2-liter Mitsubishi engine?

Well, it has a bunch of common problems that are very well known thanks to the pretty old age of the engine. In the US, you won't find a lot of stats because the engine has only been installed in the Mirage and it's not the most popular car model in North America. So, I used European forums and talked to several European engine mechanics to form the list given below.

1. Oil consumption even at low mileage

This engine is pretty thirsty for oil and you need to check the level regularly. The oil consumption is developed due to weak piston rings. The oil starts sneaking into combustion chambers and burning starting at 40,000 miles or even earlier.

This is not a huge problem but this can lead to low oil levels. If you drive your Mirage with a low oil level, the engine may die immediately. Make sure the oil is near the MAX mark on the dipstick at all times.

2. Timing chain and phaser issues

Although Mitsubishi claims the chain will live forever, it won't. The average milestone for chain replacement is about 100,000 miles. Also, at this time, the phasers may start making problems and it's recommended to replace the MIVEC phaser along with the chain. Although the service is not that complicated in terms of labor, it will cost you a lot due to the price of the OEM parts.

If the chain breaks, the engine will most likely require replacement due to severe head damage.

3. Overall expensive service

There are several things that require expensive labor and parts: CVT fluid change once every 25K miles, valve adjustment once every 30-40K miles, phaser replacement, etc. This leads to situations when owners don't invest money in this engine and eventually try to trade in the vehicle or sell it as private sellers.

When you are buying the used Mirage, make sure that all repairs and service procedures were carried out on time and the engine is not in its pre-death condition.

4. Minor but expensive problems

These engines are known for faulty ignition coils. They are easily replaced - this is the DIY job. But Mitsubishi asks quite a lot for the OEM parts.

Also, you will most likely have problems with the thermostat. Once you notice some anomalies with the engine temperature, you should immediately pay attention to this part. Bad overheating for this small aluminum engine will almost always mean death.

Electronic throttle is another common problem. This throttle system was engineered when the technology was pretty new, so it wouldn't be right to call this throttle good and reliable. Also, the throttle body with sensors will be ridiculously expensive, so you will need a good mechanic who can repair it, not just replace it.

Any tips to prolong the lifespan of the Mirage engine?

The small 3A92 engine badly needs proper maintenance and care. If you don't follow the maintenance routine, it may be broken way before you can expect this. I've seen Mirage cars with their engines off on shop car lifts with 60-70K miles on their dashes.

So, here's what you should understand:

• this engine hates overrevving, drive it carefully and avoid any aggressive actions behind the steering wheel;
• if you drive on highways a lot, make sure you don't drive too fast to avoid revving too high;
• change the oil once every 7-8K miles, buy proper oil, better use the OEM oil and filters;
• have the valves adjusted once every 40,000 miles or sooner;
• avoid overheating at all costs;
• check oil levels regularly - about once a week or after every long-distance trip;
• don't ignore warning lights and error messages;
• don't ignore it when your engine suddenly changes its behavior.

Although Mitsubishi OEM parts are expensive, there are no good alternative aftermarket parts on the market. So, buying OEM parts is still the best way to prolong the life of this unit.

Final thoughts

Although I don't like small engines and prefer more powerful machines, the 1.2-liter Mirage doesn't seem to be a bad car. Yes, it has its own set of possible common issues and weaknesses. But who doesn't?

Also, you get decent gas mileage, more or less normal driving, and predictable problems that aren't that hard to repair. If you need a car purely for city traffic, this is one of the few options the US market can offer to you.

But if you are buying it used, be careful. These engines are very often maintained poorly. This is a serious risk that should be taken into account.