2012 Mitsubishi Outlander reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander has 36 complaints with NHTSA after 15 years, or 2 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Outlander years here — under the median of the other years, which is 8. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Frame, Belts and pulleys, and Motor.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (8 of 36), then Powertrain (7) and Engine (5). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 1 that reports an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Outlander has 68 complaints, 3 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (6)

Recall structure, frame 2020-05-18 · NHTSA campaign 20V279000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall engine and cooling, engine, gasoline, belts and pulleys 2018-01-26 · NHTSA campaign 18V069000

Summary 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 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.

Recall visibility, windshield wiper, motor 2017-07-20 · NHTSA campaign 17V461000

Summary 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.

Recall visibility, windshield wiper, linkages 2016-10-31 · NHTSA campaign 16V791000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Front lower control arm 2016-06-23 · NHTSA campaign 16V458000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall steering, hydraulic power assist, hoses and connections 2014-06-25 · NHTSA campaign 14V366000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (36 total)

Air bags

Powertrain

Engine

Suspension

Visibility and wipers

Electrical system

Service brakes

Structure

Visibility

Engine and engine cooling

Exterior lighting

Lane departure

Seat belts

Seats

Steering

Wheels

Show 8 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"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…"
Electrical system, Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2025-10-08
"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…"
Suspension, Powertrain · filed 2024-08-15
"The vehicle has extreme rust and corrosion. Car was service under the manufacturer recall on [XXX] 2020. The subframe crossmember has rusted so bad that it is a safety hazard. On my paperwork from the dealership it…"
Suspension · filed 2024-04-27
"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…"
Air bags, Seats · filed 2024-01-23
"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…"
Engine and engine cooling · filed 2023-05-18

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD	4 stars	4 stars	4 stars	4 stars
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV FWD	4 stars	4 stars	4 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Outlander two-wheel drive	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	Front-wheel drive	22	28	25 MPG	$2600
Outlander two-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	19	26	22 MPG	$3650
Outlander four-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Four-wheel drive	19	24	21 MPG	$3800
Outlander four-wheel drive	2.4L, 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	Four-wheel drive	22	27	24 MPG	$2700
Outlander Sport two-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Manual 5-speed	Front-wheel drive	24	30	26 MPG	$2500
Outlander Sport two-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	Front-wheel drive	25	30	27 MPG	$2400
Outlander Sport four-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (AV-S6)	Four-wheel drive	23	28	25 MPG	$2600

Compare

Next year 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander See every Mitsubishi Outlander model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (8 of 36), then Powertrain (7) and Engine (5). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 1 that reports an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Outlander has 68 complaints, 3 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander been recalled?

The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander has 6 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander is 24.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Fourth generation (2022-on).

What oil does a Mitsubishi Outlander take?

US notes list 0W-20 for the common four-cylinder engines; confirm V6 grades in the owner's manual when equipped.

What tire size does a Mitsubishi Outlander commonly use?

Third-generation US pages often list 225/55R18; fourth-generation trims use 235/60R18 or 255/45R20.