2012 Mitsubishi I-Miev: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes; the 2014 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mitsubishi I-miev. The contact stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19v804000 (brake assist vacuum pump). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to oakland kia mitsubishi, 2424 webster street, oakland, ca 94612 where the mechanic confirmed that the parts would not be available for four months. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2020
“On multiple occasions vehicle will accelerate at half charge under load will deaccelerate from 50 to below 30 miles an hour. Causing disruptions in traffic and people passing you. The power steering seems to shut down with the turtle light.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2019
“Mitsubishi announced a recall for on board charger (obc) defects per attached letter and advised replacement or refund if part was already replaced. Also attached repair invoice 301408 for $5080.82 was paid by warranty company. Mitsubishi is offering refund of $100.00 deductible instead of total costs. Please intervene to get the complete refund from oem.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Brakes suddenly became very difficult to operate. The problem was the brake vacuum pump. The dealer reported to me that the brake vacuum pump has been replaced in 2013 as a safety recall. Apparently the replacement pump does not fix the problem. The replacement brake vacuum pump replacement is not durable. I was charged $1,300 to have it replaced. The brake vacuum pump had seized internally.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mitsubishi I-miev. After the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14v522000 (service brakes, hydraulic), the brake pressure began losing power. In addition, the brake indicator illuminated intermittently. The contact called sims mitsubishi (2908 medina rd, medina, oh 44256, (330) 722-8000) and was informed to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,141.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2018
“Two transmissions have seized and sheared gears or sheared gears respectively. Additionally the traction battery retains 61% of advertised capacity after 5.5 years and 41,xxx miles.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Nov 2018
“Brake vacuum pump has failed there have been 2 previous recalls relating to this vacuum pump. My pump has been replaced once under the first recall. It was not replaced under the second recall (NHTSA id: 14v522), during which "dealers will either reprogram the brake vacuum pump controller, replace the brake vacuum pump or do both, free of charge." mitsubishi considers their responsibility fulfilled. I should not have to pay ($846 for the part) to replace this clearly problematic part. I have spoken to the dealership, and to mitsubishi of north america and received no help.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2018
“2012 mitsubishi I-miev. Complaint related to second recall of I-miev. *mw the consumer stated at 12,000 miles, the front brake pads disintegrated for no reason. The technician stated the vacuum pump related and the brake pads disintegrating were related. The consumer stated mitsubishi would not pay to have the vehicle shipped honolulu from hawaii island. Mitsubishi stated the brakes were not a warranty item. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mitsubishi I-miev. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brakes failed to engage and the contact crashed into another vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to the spine which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v522000 (brakes) and believed that the failure was directly related to the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mitsubishi I-miev. The contact stated that while shifting into reverse, the vehicle suddenly accelerate forward. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that there was excessive corrosion on the negative battery terminal which needed to be cleaned. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 10,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicles manufactured July 27, 2013, to November 20, 2013, and 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles manufactured October 28, 2011, to September 7, 2012. Due to an increased resistance in the impact sensor for the air bag system, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal, side and/or curtain air bags when the SRS warning is illuminated, the frontal air bag may have a delayed deployment and/or the side and curtian air bag may not deploy at all.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected impact sensors, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-011.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 i-MiEV electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2009, to March 25, 2014. Due to either software programming or corrosion caused by road salt, the brake vacuum pump may stop functioning.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and depending on the affected vehicle, dealers will either reprogram the brake vacuum pump controller, replace the brake vacuum pump or do both, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-007.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2012-2017 i-MiEV vehicles. Water may penetrate the brake assist vacuum pump, causing corrosion and a failure of the brake vacuum pump.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-19-002.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2012 and 2014 i-MiEV vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 10, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-001.
Mitsubishi Motors North America is recalling certain model year 2012 i-MiEV electric vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011, through September 7, 2012. The brake system vacuum pump may fail, causing the vacuum pump to be inoperable.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected vacuum pumps free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.
Mitsubishi is recalling certain model year 2012 i-MiEV vehicles manufactured between November 4, 2011, and December 22, 2011. Incompatibility between the air bag sensors and the self-diagnostic software may deactivate the frontal and side airbag system. Should this occur, the SRS warning lamp would illuminate to alert the driver.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incompatible air bag sensors with new, compatible units, free of charge. The safety recall began on during August 2012. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
How other years compare
Check your exact I-Miev by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi I-Miev reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Mitsubishi I-Miev. The most complained-about area is service brakes.
Does the 2012 Mitsubishi I-Miev have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.