2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 14 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the battery warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle overheated. An independent mechanic arrived at the scene and informed the contact that the serpentine belt had detached. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred 2 more times. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V069000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2023
“The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated upon looking under the vehicle, the contact noticed that the whole frame and upper panel were completely rusted. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 16V867000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was confirmed that the recall already had been performed prior to the contact owning the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2020
“The vehicle has extreme rust and corrosion. Car was service under the manufacturer recall on [XXX] 2020. The subframe crossmember has rusted so bad that it is a safety hazard. On my paperwork from the dealership it stated that anti-corrosion aerosol was applied with NOX RUST 712AM. It also stated that the recall passed inspection. How is that possible and it's falling apart. The dealership it was taken to was South Suburban in Matteson, IL. Car is not safe to drive because of possibility of frame coming loose from the body of vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2020
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“Takata recall" when I turned on the car the light of my panel shows "airbag service needed". Stay on the light until I turn off the car. I have this problem since saturday, february 2nd of this current years until present time. I looked on online and I found a lot of complaints with the same issues.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2019
“I dont find any customer service for my recall for the body piece between the hood and windshield mitsubishi outlander”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Dec 2016
“Takata recall when driving my vehicle makes a wining sound from the engine in the vehicle when I am driving. Second problem is the my windhield wiper no longer hold water and it is leaking out completely. The windshield wiper worked when purchased and the engine loud wining noise just started in september when the windshield stop working. The engine noise is while being driven. The wiper just started leaking it has a hold in the reserver I believe.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2016
“The air bag warning light on the dash is on. The car was taken to the dealership and it has been found that the airbag sensor beneath the passenger seat is defective. In order to fix this problem the entire passenger seat needs to be replaced and costs $1700. They are saying it is out of warranty, but this seems to a safety issue.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“I just had accident today 02/18/201. My car was badly damaged and a possible total loss. The first situation that made me concerned about is the airbag. The side airbag on the passengers side (front and back) did not deploy. The impact was enormous that if my child was there I don't know if she's still with me. I am concerned that this might happen to the other mitsubishi outlander sport owner. Airbag of mitsubishi is so concerning. I would like to file a law suit against mitsubishi for not being safe for the driver to drive....updated 03-11-15 *bf”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2015
“I was driving in freeway 110 when the passenger side airbag loosened and hanged semi-open. I did not notice it until I got home and a friend of mine came with me to pick up my son in school. When she sat in the front passenger seat, she noticed it and pointed it out to me. I just got this vehicle a month ago brand new. I was lucky it did not deploy while I was in the freeway because if it did it could possibly cause me to have an accident. I feel that mitsubishi should inspect their vehicles more before selling them. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to January 5, 2015. 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.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The manufacturer has begun the recall, but parts are not yet available; a second notice will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-010.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 OUTLANDER SPORT VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 16, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE TURN SIGNAL LEVERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE NOT MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE AUTO-CANCEL FUNCTION OF THE TURN SIGNAL BECOMING INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. NO VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RETAILED TO CUSTOMERS WITH THIS POTENTIAL CONDITION, NO RECALL BULLETIN OR OWNER LETTERS WILL BE PREPARED. YOU MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to June 1, 2012, and 2016 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 11, 2016, to July 8, 2016. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetration.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lift gate supports, free of charge. The recall began on January 20, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2012 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport reliable?
NHTSA has 14 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor. 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.