Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.
Run a VIN →Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Mitsubishi Lancer year.
NHTSA lists 1 recall for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.
Issue: 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.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V069000
Rated configuration: 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB AWD
Over 5 years this costs $7,750 more in fuel than an average new vehicle.
The parts named most often across 19 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”
1 crash · 1 injured
1 crash
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.
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 losing complete steer of the vehicle. Luckily I was coming to a stop sign and not traveling on the highway. My vehicle was last inspected in April of 2023 with no warning signs of there being an issue. I've recently done some research and gathered information regarding models from 08-10 Mitsubishi lancers having the exact same issue. I contacted my dealer about the issue and they stated there are no current recalls on my year vehicle. Although they also started that the part number on my subframe is the same part number that failed on the 09-10 models. There should be a recall on 2012 Mitsubishi lancer subframe(front cross member) I hope this issue is resolved! I was fortunate to not have been injured! My vehicle has not currently been inspected after the accident because I had it towed back to my house after the accident because I was unsure what to do about the situation. The vehicle is available to be towed to be inspected if need be. A police officer did pass me and checked to make sure I was alright while I was stranded in the middle of the road while waiting for a tow truck.
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 contact was informed that there was a huge hole in the sub frame. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
I own a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer and I have been experiencing issues with the engine. The check engine light comes on constantly then disappears for about 2 weeks and then comes back soon after. This has been a ongoing thing since i got the car a few months ago. Also, my battery light will come on (with noise and notice) then quickly turn off and not come back on. This happens on and off also. I did some research and I believe it is a belt issue.
Approximately May, 2020, prior to getting the vehicle inspected, code P0420 indicated a faulty catalytic converters. At this time, the vehicle had an estimated 170,000 miles on it so I replaced the catalytic converter, not thinking much of it. The we’re not further issues for about a year until June, 2021, when, once again, the computer started reading a P0420 code. Having only 30,000 - 40,000 miles, on it, and seeing no leaks in the exhaust or anything else that should cause a catalytic converter to go bad prematurely, there is clearly something else causing this issue.
NHTSA safety report 06/2021 — while driving approximately 45-50 mph, the ABS warning light and traction control light suddenly came on the display so I reduced speed and had planned to proceed to the next service station which was approximately 1.5 miles away. However, when I was approximately 1/2 mile from the station the engine stalled, the vehicle slightly jerked, and the the engine died. At this point, I shifted into neutral and cruised a couple hundred feet to a safe pull-off point. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the battery was completely dead and would not hold a charge when jumped. This prompted me to check the alternator where I noticed the loose belt and broken tensioner which I had repaired at my own expense the following day.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE MADE A SHARP RIGHT TURN AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
THE AYC/ACD PUMP FAILURE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I WENT TO ACCELERATE TO KEEP UP WITH MY TRAFFIC AND MY CAR WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATION. WHILE STILL DRIVING I WENT TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY, TOOK AN EXIT AND AFTER STOPPING AT STOP SIGN WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE GAS TO GO THE CAR DIDN'T RESPOND TO GO BUT THEN JERKED AND ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY. THERE'S WAS A RECALL ON THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS FOR LANCERS BUT YEARS 14-16 FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT BECAUSE MY CAR DOESN'T FALL INTO THAT RECALL MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THIS ISSUES IS ONLY GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH CAUSES AN TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING ALERT WITHIN 10-15 MINS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALONG WITH SLOW ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALSO STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE RIGHT AWAY. *TR
SST TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING LIKE IT IN NEUTRAL. THEN WHEN YOU PULL OVER ONLY WAY TO GET IT SHIFTING GEARS IS TO TURN CAR OFF WAIT 10 SEC AND TURN BACK ON . THEN DRIVES NORMAL AGAIN. BEEN DRIVING LIKE THIS FOR TWO YEARS CAR HAS 60000 MILES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS A HESITATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A RATTLING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EXPRESSWAY MITSUBISHI (LOCATED AT 5511 E INDIANA ST, EVANSVILLE, IN 47715, (866)437-9750) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,839.
WINDOW WIPER WILL FAIL IN MIDDLE SWIPE. WHEN TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, IT MAY START AGAIN HOWEVER IT SOMETIMES GETS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WIPING MOTION. OUTLANDER SPORT FROM YEAR 2011-2016 HAD A CURRENT RECALL FOR WIPER LINKAGE CORROSION (784902762095). THE MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT MODEL AND THE LANCER MODEL SHARE MANY COMMON PARTS.
EL CARRO CUANDO VA SUBIENDO CUESTA LARGAS NO ACCELERA SE QUEDA SIN FUERZA Y DICE QUE BAJE LA VELOCIDAD SI EL SOLO LO BAJA Y NO PERMITE ACCELERAL Y EL MOTOR TIENE UN RUIDO QUENO ES NORMAL NI LO HACIA ANTES
Showing 12 of 19 complaints.