2012 Mitsubishi Outlander: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
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 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The car's airbag system service required came on without any incidents to the car. It used to be on and off but now, it is consistently on. The seat detect very lightweight things like a book or a bag and gives the warning of seatbelt not on. The airbag system and the pressure sensor of the passenger seat is faulty. With this warning, airbags will not deploy. I saw multiple incidents with other Mitsubishi Outlander owners who have the same issue.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2023
“I was driving speed limit, on a sunny day, when my car began to veer to the left. I eased back into the right lane and suddenly the car made a quick jerk to the left; then, another to the right. I slid on the bank and missed the ditch before becoming airborne and landing in a corn field. I was able to drive to a safe location when the traction control light appeared on the dashboard.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2023
“The seat belt has started to fail. It sounds like it clicks in and the warning light turns off. Once I start to drive the seat belt will come off. This has happened approximately 5 times in the last month.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“2012 mitsubishi outlander sport. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement for vehicle repairs made related to safety recall. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for recalls 20v-279, c1614z, and sr-18-004rev.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2022
“Lower control arm wasn't fixed it's detached its self and the belt tensioner wasn't fixed like it said it was fixed and control module needs fixed as well”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2022
“The vehicle stops randomly while driving- usually while going 60 mph and reducing the speed in the express way, it just automatically turns off. It has already happened to me twice.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
“The transmission does not change all the time took it to a transmission shop and said they was a recall in 2014,15 for this problem. And was see if any other 2012 had the samd problem.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2019
“Airbags no longer will deploy according to collision repair shop. Had some hail damage repairs after that the dashboard light for airbags came on throughout the year and then stayed on permanently. I was driving on a street and the airbag light just came on and from that point has not went off.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2019
“While driving the transmission causes the powertrain to stop working making the car impossible to remain in motion. This will happen while driving in traffic. The transmission will howl and squeal right before it no longer works. Was told by mitsubishi that the cvt transmission was not built for long distance driving, towing(even though it is offered with a towing package), mountainous driving or uphill acceleration. This is unsafe as it causes a sudden stop in high speed traffic with a cause for serious injury if another vehicle were to hit the stalled vehicle”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2018
“Transmission is failing to change gears. The car won't shift through 3rd gear. We were on the interstate going65 when it happened.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles manufactured September 8, 2006, to March 29, 2013. In the affected 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 rubber boot on the ball joint to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, they will inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, replacing it as necessary. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-009.
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 model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, 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 that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, Mitusbishi is recalling certain 2007-2012 Outlander vehicles that received replacement 6-speed automatic transmissions during servicing. The transmissions in these vehicles have insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the converter housing of the automatic transmission. As a result of the contact, the power steering pressure tube may develop a hole and leak power steering fluid.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-006.
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.
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.
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.
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 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages. 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.