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2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Fewer reported complaints than most SUV.

Owners filed 35 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 67% of 2012 SUVs. Air Bags leads the reports (20%). 6 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2012 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

35

Reports to NHTSA, 2012

Safety recalls

6

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

26

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 67% of 2012 SUVs

The bar is this car's percentile among 2012 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (20% of 35 reports), followed by power train (17%).

Air Bags20% · 7 reports
Power Train17% · 6 reports
Suspension14% · 5 reports
Visibility/Wiper11% · 4 reports
Structure6% · 2 reports
Unknown Or Other6% · 2 reports
Visibility6% · 2 reports
Electrical System3% · 1 report

+ 6 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 35 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11219713, ODI 10684164, ODI 11567379, ODI 11231431, ODI 11174579.

Recalls(6)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

VisibilitySep 2018 · 18V103000Details +

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.

Risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.

StructureFeb 2016 · 16V867000Details +

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. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetration.

Risk: If the outer tube corrodes, there may be a rapid loss of the gas used to provide lift assistance, causing the lift gate to fall suddenly, increasing the risk of injury.

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. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.

Exterior LightingMar 2012 · 12V001000Details +

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. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE TURN SIGNAL LEVERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE NOT MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE AUTO-CANCEL FUNCTION OF THE TURN SIGNAL BECOMING INOPERATIVE.

Risk: THE TURN SIGNAL MAY CONTINUE TO SIGNAL AN INTENDED DIRECTIONAL CHANGE AFTER A POINT WHEN THE AUTO-CANCEL FUNCTION, IF OPERATING PROPERLY, WOULD HAVE TERMINATED THE SIGNAL. A FOLLOWING OR ONCOMING DRIVER MAY RECEIVE INACCURATE INDICATIONS OF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR'S INTENDED MANEUVERS, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH BETWEEN VEHICLES DUE TO IMPROPER VEHICLE SIGNALING.

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. YOU MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Visibility · 16V792000Details +

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. The water may cause internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the possible failure of the motor.

Risk: 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 manufacturer has begun the recall, but parts are not yet available; a second notice will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-010.

Engine And Engine Cooling · 18V069000Details +

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.

Structure · 20V279000Details +

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.

Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Outlander Sport 2WD2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive253027
Outlander Sport 2WD2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive243026
Outlander Sport 4WD2.0L 4-cyl4-Wheel Drive232825

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Owners filed 35 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — fewer complaints than 67% of comparable 2012 SUVs, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (20% of complaints) and power train (17%).

How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?

6 recalls have been issued that affect the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, covering components such as visibility. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport between 25 and 27 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.