The Used Car Index

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander problems

NHTSA lists 22 complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander, 1 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER.

At a glance

Complaints
22
With crash
1
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
194,674
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
104

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
POWER TRAIN627.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER418.2%
ENGINE313.6%
SERVICE BRAKES313.6%
SUSPENSION313.6%
VISIBILITY/WIPER313.6%
AIR BAGS29.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29.1%
VISIBILITY29.1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING14.5%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
LANE DEPARTUREWARNING1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure535.7%0.92
loss of control214.3%0.84
noise or comfort214.3%0.52
visibility or lighting214.3%0.68
fire or overheating17.1%1.00
restraint or airbag17.1%0.94
unclear17.1%0.99
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate857.1%0.82
low642.9%0.68

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 14 tagged complaints of 22 complaints (63.6%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

20V279000

Date: 2020-05-18. Systems: STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION.

Defect: 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, O (excerpt)

Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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 th (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V069000

Date: 2018-01-26. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V461000

Date: 2017-07-20. Systems: VISIBILITY.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V791000

Date: 2016-10-31. Systems: VISIBILITY.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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-16-0 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V458000

Date: 2016-06-23. Systems: SUSPENSION.

Defect: 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, (excerpt)

Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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 custo (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V366000

Date: 2014-06-25. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: 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 p (excerpt)

Consequence: A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

104 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT41
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24
STRUCTURE22
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15
SUSPENSION15
POWER TRAIN12
SEATS8
ENGINE6

11026481

Date: 2025-11-21. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS.

Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.

11006081

Date: 2024-07-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

This Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Hands Free Module software to improve the Bluetooth connection when certain devices are connected to Wia Fi.

11003535

Date: 2024-06-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides additions to the description of special tools used for removal of the drive belt within the Engine Mechanical (3.0L Engine) section of the applicable Service Manuals.

11003536

Date: 2024-06-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle sections of the applicable Service Manuals.

10240443

Date: 2023-07-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

10235608

Date: 2023-04-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs.

10235609

Date: 2023-04-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.

10235606

Date: 2023-04-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

10233997

Date: 2023-03-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

This Technical Service Bulletin contains technical information and troubleshooting for the accessory Remote Engine Start system for affected vehicles.

10234004

Date: 2023-03-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SEATS.

This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to replace the seat adjuster assembly and power seat harness in affected vehicles with improved countermeasure parts.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
OUTLANDER22

Same model, other years

All model years | All Mitsubishi models

Other Mitsubishi models, 2012

Sources

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