2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has a complaint index of 20, ranking 9th out of 11 model years, with 3 complaints and 1 recall. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 67% of complaints, but no crashes, fires, or injuries were reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #9 of 11 Lancer Evolution years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 3
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (67%)
- Brakes1 (33%)
- Structure & Body1 (33%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission feels reluctant to engage gear at low speeds, especially from a stop up to about 40 mph.
- Some describe missed shifts that cause a delay in acceleration before the car settles into gear at higher rpm.
- One owner reported the 4WD status system flashed a warning and shut off drive-mode indicators while idling in a drive-thru line.
- A driver's seat leg bolster was found to have broken metal underneath, allowing the bolster to give way.
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V446000Sep 19, 2013Transmission & Powertrain10,474 vehicles
Power train:manual transmission
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.
Risk: Failure of the clutch master cylinder reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Lancer Evolution years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 3 complaints for the 2012 Lancer Evolution, giving it a complaint index of 20, which ranks 9th out of 11 model years — better than most other years of this model.
- What problems does the 2012 Lancer Evolution have?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 67% of complaints, including shifting hesitation and a 4WD service warning. Brakes and a body structure issue each account for the remaining complaints.
- Does the 2012 Lancer Evolution have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (13V446000) covers a clutch master cylinder issue affecting 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles.
- What year Lancer Evolution should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2005, 2008, and 2010 are rated Avoid due to higher complaint indexes of 80, 90, and 100 respectively. The 2012 model year is not rated Avoid.