2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer.

20112013
Complaints
26
Crashes
7
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Fatalities
—
Recalls
1

Worst 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#16 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:72,910 mi
Crash-related:2
#25 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:14,050 mi
Crash-related:1
#32 complaints

Fuel System

Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer.

Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,910
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
14,050
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~141,053 vehicles.

18V069000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
~141,053 affected

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.

Other Mitsubishi Lancer Years

199620002002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer has 26 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 6 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (6 complaints, avg 72,910 mi); Engine Problems (5 complaints, avg 14,050 mi); Fuel System (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 46,155 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer include 7 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 1 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 141,053 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Lancer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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