2012 Mitsubishi Lancer problems and recalls

Owners have filed 19 complaints on the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer, and NHTSA has issued 1 recall. The most cited component is the Power Train (6 complaints).

19
Complaints
1
Recalls
3
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
1
Injuries
68.0
Severity index

Severity index 68.0 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 68.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 6 complaints (31.6%)6 32%EngineEngine: 5 complaints (26.3%)5 26%SteeringSteering: 2 complaints (10.5%)2 11%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 2 complaints (10.5%)2 11%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 2 complaints (10.5%)2 11%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 2 complaints (10.5%)2 11%WheelsWheels: 1 complaints (5.3%)1 5%StructureStructure: 1 complaints (5.3%)1 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN631.6%
ENGINE526.3%
STEERING210.5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER210.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL210.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM210.5%
WHEELS15.3%
STRUCTURE15.3%

Complaints filed per year

0252013: 32014: 12016: 12018: 32019: 22020: 22021: 52023: 12024: 11314161819202152324
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20133
20141
20161
20183
20192
20202
20215
20231
20241
Filings in 2021 to 2024 were close to 2018 to 2020 (7 against 7).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V06900026/01/2018ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYSMitsubishi 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 t

Other Mitsubishi Lancer model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 4 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.