CSR

Mitsubishi · NHTSA safety record

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

22

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander have filed 22 safety complaints with NHTSA between February 2013 and October 2025. The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 6 of them (27%). The typical failure was reported at 86,000 miles, the median across the 11 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

20V279000 · May 18, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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. · up to 141,200 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

18V069000 · January 26, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 Motors North America, Inc. · up to 141,053 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

17V461000 · July 20, 2017

The defect
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.
The risk
Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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. · up to 100,082 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

16V791000 · October 31, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The 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. · up to 100,082 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

16V458000 · June 23, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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. · up to 194,674 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

14V366000 · June 25, 2014

The defect
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.
The risk
A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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. · up to 203 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 22.

POWER TRAIN 6 27%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4 18%
ENGINE 3 14%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 14%
SUSPENSION 3 14%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 3 14%
AIR BAGS 2 9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 9%
VISIBILITY 2 9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 5%
LANE DEPARTURE 1 5%
SEAT BELTS 1 5%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 4.

2013 2018 2025
2013 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

crash · towed

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.

NHTSA complaint 11516984. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

towed · 137,000 miles

FOLLOWING I JUST SENT TO MITSUBISHI HEADQUARTERS I SEE RECALLS FOR TRANSMISSIONS FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR THAT STATES TRANSMISSION FAIL PREMATURELY BETWEEN THE MILES OF 114,000! AND 179,000 AND MINE DID AT 137,000 IT IS NOW STATING FOR 4 MODEL YEARS 2 OF WHICH ARE 2011&2013. WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE FOR 2012 TRANSMISSION WHEN YES INDEED MY YEAR OF 2012 TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY? IT DID JUST AS YOUR RECALL STATES AND THEN WHEN I PUT IN MY VIN# I AM TOLD IT WASN'T MY SKIPPED YEAR THAT WAS PART OF THE RECALL. LATER DOWN THE ROAD MONTHS LATER I RECHECK AND MY YEAR NEWLY BECAME SKIPPED FOR THIS TRANSMISSION RECALLS. I BELIEVE THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE REASON FOR YOUR RECALL. CAN YOU DO

NHTSA complaint 11124483, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 77,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11270402. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My Mitsubishi vehicle has an open recall related to a drive belt issue. Mitsubishi confirmed the recall, but the company have not completed the repair or scheduled an appointment, even after several attempts to contact them. The vehicle has stalled multiple times while driving, including on city roads. When it stalls, the check engine light comes on, and the car loses all power. I have to restart it to keep driving. This is a serious safety risk because it happens suddenly and could lead to an accident. The alternator and battery were both tested and are in good condition, so the problem appears related to the recalled belt or electrical system. The issue was confirmed by an independent

NHTSA complaint 11692172, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

134,148 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, she observed a rubbing noise emanating from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that on one of those occasions, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while driving over bumps in the roadway the vehicle was not driving smoothly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the drive belt was cracked on the ribs of the belt, the sway bar links, and front and rear CV boots were torn, the tie rod end replacement boots were torn, and the lower front and lower control arms, ball joints, and rear bushings were torn, the motor mount

NHTSA complaint 11608802, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
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.

NHTSA complaint 11567379. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
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.

NHTSA complaint 11497515. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.

NHTSA complaint 11464505. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mitsubishi Outlander

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 26 1
2023 45 2
2022 209 7
2020 31 3
2019 29 5
2018 55 6
2017 51 6
2016 142 8
2015 52 5
2014 45 4
2013 26 5
2011 58 8
2010 60 10

Other 2012 Mitsubishi models

Every Mitsubishi on this site — 45 vehicles, 119 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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