Mitsubishi i-MiEV: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV has 5 model year(s) in the federal index and no scored complaint record yet, so this page carries the catalogue entry and the years we hold rather than a verdict.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV: which years to avoid
Across 5 scored model years the Mitsubishi i-MiEV ranges from 75/100 in 2012 to 87/100 in 2013 — a 12-point spread, so which year you buy matters.
Safest years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 — scored 70 or better.
Scored from NHTSA complaints per year of exposure and recall campaigns. How the score works · every car’s years to avoid.
How the i-MiEV changed, run by run
The federal record falls into 2 stretches of years that behave alike. A redesign shows up here as a step in the complaint rate that then holds.
2012–2014
Mean score 82/100. 11 recall campaign(s) in this run touch fire, crash or stall risk.
2016–2017
Mean score 87/100. 4 recall campaign(s) in this run touch fire, crash or stall risk.
Year-by-year data table
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 87 | BUY | $2,350 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 | 87 | BUY | $2,490 | 0 | 2 |
| 2014 | 84 | BUY | $2,770 | 0 | 3 |
| 2013 | 87 | BUY | $2,910 | 0 | 2 |
| 2012 | 75 | BUY | $3,050 | 0 | 6 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Photographs and every generation of the i-MiEV, through the years →
FAQ
What are the best Mitsubishi i-MiEV years to buy?
2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 all score 70 or better. The strongest is the 2013 at 87/100, on 0 complaints and 2 recall campaigns.
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Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04