Most common 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Outlander complaints by model year
Best Outlander years: 2012, 2013, 2019. Years to avoid: 2022, 2016, 2023, 2024, 2025. Compare all years →
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander 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…
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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
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…
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
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,…
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…
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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.
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.
What 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
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 front bushings had started to tear, motor mount was torn, and the shock absorbers needed to be replaced due to rear shocks leaking and that all the listed parts needed to be replaced. …
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
Windows, wipers & sunroof
While in motion, an anchoring screw hold the passenger side visor to the roof panel fell out into my lap. As the passenger at the tie, I checked the visor, noticing the screw fell from above and noticed the second of the two anchoring screws was near falling out, also. Previously, a similar screw had been found on the driver's side floor area, but the location it came from was not apparent as the visor mount from which it fell was hidden by the position of the driver side visor. Checking the driver side visor, I noticed the second and last anchor screw was also very loose and mostly out of the tightening position it should have been in. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V791000 (visibility) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer (larry jay Mitsubishi, 8415 south blvd, charlotte, nc 28273, [phone]) did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Brakes
The rear brakes get so hot that when they get snow or rain they smoke and smell real bad that I have to be careful not to open doors. It is real bad once you stop. I cant do my transportation job because of it. The dealer tells it is normal.
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
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander 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 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 22 / 28 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD | 23 / 28 / 25 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD | 22 / 27 / 24 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Outlander rates better than average: 65% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Outlander at the same age. It is one of the best Outlander 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?
The transmission & drivetrain — 6 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (5) and brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander, 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?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2013 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2016, 2023, 2024 and 2025. See the full Mitsubishi Outlander years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 86,000 miles; 27% 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.