2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
0/100
#15 most-complained of 15 Outlander years
The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander ranks best (1st of 15 model years) with a complaint index of 0, 22 complaints, and 6 recalls. Its top problem area is Transmission & Powertrain at 27% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 134,148 miles.
- Complaints
- 22
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20.5 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (27%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (23%)
- Other4 (18%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (18%)
- Brakes3 (14%)
- Electrical System3 (14%)
- Engine3 (14%)
- Airbags2 (9%)
- Lane Departure1 (5%)
- Seat Belts1 (5%)
What owners report
- Some drivers report the vehicle veering suddenly left and right on its own, with the traction control light appearing after the event.
- Owners describe violent shaking at highway speed traced by dealers to snow buildup inside the wheel rims, recurring in winter conditions.
- Passenger and driver-side visor anchoring screws have worked loose or fallen out while driving.
- Owners who received the wiper motor water-intrusion recall notice reported long waits for replacement parts.
- Rear brakes have been reported to overheat, smoke, and smell after stopping, described by a dealer as normal.
- Owners report the transmission failing to shift through third gear at highway speed, and one owner reported airbags failing to deploy after a collision despite the warning light staying on.
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V279000May 18, 2020Structure & Body141,200 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
- NHTSA 18V069000Jan 26, 2018Engine141,053 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.
- NHTSA 17V461000Jul 20, 2017Visibility & Wipers100,082 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole. The water may cause internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the possible failure of the motor.
Risk: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-003.
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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 Outlander years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander a good year?
- Yes. Among 15 model years of data, 2012 ranks 1st with a complaint index of 0, 22 complaints, and no fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Outlander?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 27% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 134,148 miles.
- Does the 2012 Outlander have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Outlander, covering areas including engine belt tensioners, wiper motor water intrusion, power steering tubes, and front cross-member corrosion.
- How does the 2012 Outlander compare to other years?
- The 2012 model has a complaint index of 0 and a 'Best' verdict, far below years like 2016 (index 93) and 2022 (index 100), which are rated 'Avoid'.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Outlander?
- EPA rates it at 23 mpg combined (20.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,175.