2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer, and owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Belts and associated pulleys (engine and engine cooling)
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…
19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 55,121 miles. Complaints peaked in 2021 with 5 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The front subframe(cross member) blew out, due to excessive corrosion. Causing the control arm to dismount as well as separation of the CV axle from the transmission, while traveling down the road los”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 1, 2024 · Power train
“The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, and he was informed that the sub frame was rusted. The cont”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 17, 2023 · Structure
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer (Lancer AWD, Lancer Evolution, Lancer Sportback). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–28 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–25 / 22–33 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2/2.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AM6); Automatic (AV-S6); Manual 5-spd |
Compare Mitsubishi Lancer model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mitsubishi Lancer model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer | 0 | 1 |
| 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer | 0 | 1 |
| 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer | 2 | 148 |
| 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer | 2 | 199 |
| 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer | 4 | 80 |
| 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer | 3 | 24 |
| 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer | 4 | 37 |
| 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer | 2 | 2 |
| 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer | 5 | 91 |
| 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer | 8 | 98 |
| 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer | 6 | 51 |
| 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer | 3 | 34 |
| 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer | 1 | 19 |
| 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer | 0 | 5 |
| 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer | 0 | 16 |
| 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer | 1 | 23 |
| 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer | 2 | 30 |
| 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer | 0 | 6 |
Checking a specific 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer
How do I know if my 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mitsubishi dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 18V069000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mitsubishi models
- Eclipse2,135 complaints
- Galant1,788 complaints
- Outlander1,322 complaints
- Montero783 complaints
- Mirage702 complaints
- Diamante505 complaints
- Outlander Sport476 complaints
- 3000GT461 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.