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2012 Mitsubishi Lancer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

19 reports
28,500 miles · Jan 12, 2019
Visibility/wiper

WINDOW WIPER WILL FAIL IN MIDDLE SWIPE. WHEN TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, IT MAY START AGAIN HOWEVER IT SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WIPING MOTION. OUTLANDER SPORT FROM YEAR 2011-2016 HAD A CURRENT RECALL FOR WIPER LINKAGE CORROSION (784902762095). THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT MODEL AND THE LANCER MODEL SHARE MANY COMM…

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WINDOW WIPER WILL FAIL IN MIDDLE SWIPE. WHEN TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, IT MAY START AGAIN HOWEVER IT SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WIPING MOTION. OUTLANDER SPORT FROM YEAR 2011-2016 HAD A CURRENT RECALL FOR WIPER LINKAGE CORROSION (784902762095). THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT MODEL AND THE LANCER MODEL SHARE MANY COMMON PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #11166633

80,000 miles · Nov 12, 2018
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

EL CARRO CUANDO VA SUBIENDO CUESTA LARGAS NO ACCELERA SE QUEDA SIN FUERZA Y DICE QUE BAJE LA VELOCIDAD SI EL SOLO LO BAJA Y NO PERMITE ACCELERAL Y EL MOTOR TIENE UN RUIDO QUENO ES NORMAL NI LO HACIA ANTES

NHTSA ODI #11151089

26,000 miles · Aug 29, 2018
Visibility/wiper

THE WIPER MOTOR WILL FAIL RANDOMLY, THE BLADE WILL JUST STOP MOVING. WHEN THE WIPER IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON, IT WILL START WORKING AGAIN BUT THEN FAIL AGAIN. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. THERE IS A RECENT RECALL FOR THE 2011-2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT MODEL (RECALL NUMBER 16V792000) WITH "INTERN…

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THE WIPER MOTOR WILL FAIL RANDOMLY, THE BLADE WILL JUST STOP MOVING. WHEN THE WIPER IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON, IT WILL START WORKING AGAIN BUT THEN FAIL AGAIN. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. THERE IS A RECENT RECALL FOR THE 2011-2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT MODEL (RECALL NUMBER 16V792000) WITH "INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND THE POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE MOTOR." WHICH HAS THE SAME WIPER COMPONENTS AS THE LANCER MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #11123354

86,000 miles · Jan 30, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A STOP SIGN, I HIT THEIR VECHILE HEAD ON. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI #11065933

28,000 miles · Jun 16, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainCrash

RECEIVED VEHICLE AT 10KM, AFTER 2 OIL CHANGES, AT 16000KM MILIEGE DROPPED FROM 700KM ON A TANK OF GAS TO 300KM TANK OF GAS. AT 24000KM HEAVY TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NOISES OCCURRED. GEARS SLIPPING OUT WHILE ACCELERATING CAUSING RPMS TO SHOOT UP TO 6000-7000 WHILE VEHICLE NOT MOVING. TIMING BELT AND PULLEYS NOT WORKING PROPERLY C…

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RECEIVED VEHICLE AT 10KM, AFTER 2 OIL CHANGES, AT 16000KM MILIEGE DROPPED FROM 700KM ON A TANK OF GAS TO 300KM TANK OF GAS. AT 24000KM HEAVY TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NOISES OCCURRED. GEARS SLIPPING OUT WHILE ACCELERATING CAUSING RPMS TO SHOOT UP TO 6000-7000 WHILE VEHICLE NOT MOVING. TIMING BELT AND PULLEYS NOT WORKING PROPERLY CAUSING TO MUCH ENGINE NOISE. METAL GRINDING AND WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER CARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND CV JOINT PROBLEM. REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALERSHIP AND TECHINCIANS EACH TIME I GO IN. THEIR RESPONSE IS ITS JUST TIRE NOISE AND YOUR VEHICLE IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY EACH TIME. NOW AT 68,000 KM, REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS GONE, ENGINE BARELY HOLDING UP, SUSPENSION ON DRIVER SIDE IS IS LOWER THAN PASSENGER SIDE. WHEEL BEARING NOISES PRESENT. 4X4 AWC SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING. VEHICLE IS DRAGGING AND IS AT QUARTER EFFICIENCY. ON TIME WITH SERVICE AND OIL CHANGE, KEEP BRINGING UP SAME COMPLAINTS AND REPORTED BACK THAT ITS JUST TIRE NOISE. ALL 4 TIRES CHANGES, BRAKES CHANGED AND ROTORS. NOW THAT THINGS ARE BREAKING DOWN. DEALERSHIP AT BANK STREET MITSUBISHI DENIES DOING ANY NEGLIGENCE OVER THE COURSE OF 4 YEARS AND SAYING OUR TECHS WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED THOSE PROBLEMS. VEHICLE TAKEN TO 6 LOCAL MECHANICS AND ALL REPORTING SAME PROBLEM, TAKEN TO OTHER MITSUBISHI DEALERSHIPS AND REPORTED NEGLIGENCE ON TECHNICIANS AND MECHANICS FROM BANK STREET MITSUBISHI THAT THESE ISSUES SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE PAST SINCE THEY ARE DEFECTS. CALLED MITSUBISHI CANADA. MANAGER THERE SAYS OUR TECHS ARE ONE OF THE BEST AT THAT LOCATION. NOW THEY WANT TO VOID WARRANTY DUE TO THEIR MISTAKES SINCE PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE MANAGER DOESN'T WANT HIGH INVOICE BILLS. WHILE REPAIRING PARTS, TECHS DAMAGING OTHERS. AND NOT REPORTING IT. MAKING COSTUMERS PAY FOR TECHS MISTAKES. ISSUE STILL ON GOING. MANAGER AND TECHS AVOIDING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10874522

24,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #10619075

4,000 miles · Sep 23, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, A SQUEAKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, A SQUEAKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA ODI #10544934

100 miles · Sep 18, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND STALLED WITH NO WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CENTRAL COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND STALLED WITH NO WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CENTRAL COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #10544227

24,830 miles · Aug 29, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY RAN OUT OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE LOW FUEL IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FUEL GAUGE READING THREE QUARTERS OF A TANK FULL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY RAN OUT OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE LOW FUEL IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FUEL GAUGE READING THREE QUARTERS OF A TANK FULL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. NONE OF THE REPAIRS REMEDIED THE DEFECTIVE FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,830.

NHTSA ODI #10537886

Official recalls

1

18V069000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys

Jan 26, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.