Most common 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport complaints by model year
Best Outlander Sport years: 2012, 2022, 2023. Years to avoid: 2015. Compare all years →
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls (6)
Structure › Frame and members
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,…
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…
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
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.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
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.
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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
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.
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.
What 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport owners say
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving about 45 MPH during night, the vehicle hit two pedestrians crossing the road and fatally injured one of the pedestrians. The other passenger was being pushed in a wheelchair and did sustain injuries but did not seek medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. There was no warning indicators. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged and was towed to a tow yard, waiting for the insurance company. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The contact mentioned that the doctor informed her that if she had not went to the hospital her injuries could have been fatal. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
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
Engine & cooling
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.
Transmission/engine makes a high pitched whining noise when accelerating above 2000 rpms currently. It started out only doing it when going up hill at higher rpms but has gotten worse. It has also affected the electrical system and had the locks, backup camera, reverse lights all going haywire. This was witnessed by my oil shop while getting an oil change on it the mechanic couldnt get the vehicle from drive to park amd once it did go it would unlock from park. I was told it was sensors by a Mitsubishi dealership but that didnt solve the problem. It revs the engine it high TPMS while driving not lettingnit shift from 1st to 2nd and makes it so you cant get the vehicle off the road because the transmission shuts down. Even in neutral the rpmswill increase when it does this. …
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 25 / 30 / 27 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 30 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD | 23 / 28 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Outlander Sport rates better than average: 59% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Outlander Sport at the same age. It is one of the best Outlander Sport years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
The air bags — 6 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (3) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, the most recent from May 18, 2020 (frame and members). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2022 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015. See the full Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 53,000 miles; 36% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.