MITSUBISHI I-MIEV · model year

2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV

20 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012MITSUBISHII-MIEV carries 20 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 I-MIEV is service brakes with 8 filings, followed by electrical system (3) and air bags (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2012 I-MIEV. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

20
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

20 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
AIR BAGS2
POWER TRAIN2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
ENGINE1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recalls (6)

13V03100025/01/2013

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

Mitsubishi Motors North America is recalling certain model year 2012 i-MiEV electric vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011, through September 7, 2012. The brake system vacuum pump may fail, causing the vacuum pump to be inoperable.

15V59400023/09/2015

AIR BAGS

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicles manufactured July 27, 2013, to November 20, 2013, and 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles manufactured October 28, 2011, to September 7, 2012. Due to an increased resistance in the impact

17V02200010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2012 and 2014 i-MiEV vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necess

19V80400008/11/2019

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2012-2017 i-MiEV vehicles. Water may penetrate the brake assist vacuum pump, causing corrosion and a failure of the brake vacuum pump.

14V52200002/09/2014

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 i-MiEV electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2009, to March 25, 2014. Due to either software programming or corrosion caused by road salt, the brake vacuum pump may stop functioning.

12V37200001/08/2012

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Mitsubishi is recalling certain model year 2012 i-MiEV vehicles manufactured between November 4, 2011, and December 22, 2011. Incompatibility between the air bag sensors and the self-diagnostic software may deactivate the frontal and side airbag system. Should this occur, the SRS warning lamp wou

Recent Complaints

20210622AIR BAGS

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 19V804000 (Service, Brake, Hydraulic), 17V022000 (Air Bags), and 15V594000 (Air Bags) however, the contact stated there was no local dealer in their area to do the recall repairs. When they reached out to the manufacturer, they were informed to find a local authorized dealer, when the contact found an independent mechanic to do the recall repairs, the manufacturer would not authorize the independent mechanic to do the recall repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20210622SERVICE BRAKES

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 19V804000 (Service, Brake, Hydraulic), 17V022000 (Air Bags), and 15V594000 (Air Bags) however, the contact stated there was no local dealer in their area to do the recall repairs. When they reached out to the manufacturer, they were informed to find a local authorized dealer, when the contact found an independent mechanic to do the recall repairs, the manufacturer would not authorize the independent mechanic to do the recall repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20200331UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MITSUBISHI ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR ON BOARD CHARGER (OBC) DEFECTS PER ATTACHED LETTER AND ADVISED REPLACEMENT OR REFUND IF PART WAS ALREADY REPLACED. ALSO ATTACHED REPAIR INVOICE 301408 FOR $5080.82 WAS PAID BY WARRANTY COMPANY. MITSUBISHI IS OFFERING REFUND OF $100.00 DEDUCTIBLE INSTEAD OF TOTAL COSTS. PLEASE INTERVENE TO GET THE COMPLETE REFUND FROM OEM.

Mileage: 89,804

20200226ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AT HALF CHARGE UNDER LOAD WILL DEACCELERATE FROM 50 TO BELOW 30 MILES AN HOUR. CAUSING DISRUPTIONS IN TRAFFIC AND PEOPLE PASSING YOU. THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO SHUT DOWN WITH THE TURTLE LIGHT.

Mileage: 60,000

20200226ENGINE

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AT HALF CHARGE UNDER LOAD WILL DEACCELERATE FROM 50 TO BELOW 30 MILES AN HOUR. CAUSING DISRUPTIONS IN TRAFFIC AND PEOPLE PASSING YOU. THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO SHUT DOWN WITH THE TURTLE LIGHT.

Mileage: 60,000

20200226POWER TRAIN

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AT HALF CHARGE UNDER LOAD WILL DEACCELERATE FROM 50 TO BELOW 30 MILES AN HOUR. CAUSING DISRUPTIONS IN TRAFFIC AND PEOPLE PASSING YOU. THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO SHUT DOWN WITH THE TURTLE LIGHT.

Mileage: 60,000

20200204SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V804000 (BRAKE ASSIST VACUUM PUMP). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OAKLAND KIA MITSUBISHI, 2424 WEBSTER STREET, OAKLAND, CA 94612 WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR FOUR MONTHS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20190318SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V522000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), THE BRAKE PRESSURE BEGAN LOSING POWER. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT CALLED SIMS MITSUBISHI (2908 MEDINA RD, MEDINA, OH 44256, (330) 722-8000) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,141.

Mileage: 22,141

20190122ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 11/20/18, WE TOOK OUR 2012 I-MIEV INTO THE ROGER BEASLEY MITSUBISHI AT 1120 SHELBY LN, AUSTIN, 78745 AFTER THE CAR RAPIDLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON AT LEAST 2 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME HE WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 15 MPH. THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE WAS 50 DEGREES. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. HE RESTARTED IT TO SEE IF HE COULD GET THE CAR HOME. THE CAR STARTED. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT UP TO 58 MPH AND ONCE AGAIN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DROPPED TO 15 MPH. WHEN THE CAR SLOWED TO 15 MPH, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED AN EXCLAMATION MARK INSIDE OF A CAR ERROR LIGHT. HE TOOK A VIDEO OF THE 2ND OCCURRENCE: HTTPS://FLIC.KR/P/2EMRH22. NOTE THAT THE CAR HAD 24 MI REMAINING ON THE RANGE AND HAD A BAR INDICATING OF THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED. WE ALSO INTERMITTENTLY RECEIVED THE POWER DOWN WARNING LIGHT ('TURTLE' ICON DISPLAYED ON THE DASH) IN COOLER WEATHER AND/OR WHEN THE CAR TOOK AN UPHILL GRADE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS--WHEN T

Mileage: 50,000

20190122POWER TRAIN

ON 11/20/18, WE TOOK OUR 2012 I-MIEV INTO THE ROGER BEASLEY MITSUBISHI AT 1120 SHELBY LN, AUSTIN, 78745 AFTER THE CAR RAPIDLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON AT LEAST 2 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME HE WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 15 MPH. THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE WAS 50 DEGREES. HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. HE RESTARTED IT TO SEE IF HE COULD GET THE CAR HOME. THE CAR STARTED. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT UP TO 58 MPH AND ONCE AGAIN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND DROPPED TO 15 MPH. WHEN THE CAR SLOWED TO 15 MPH, THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYED AN EXCLAMATION MARK INSIDE OF A CAR ERROR LIGHT. HE TOOK A VIDEO OF THE 2ND OCCURRENCE: HTTPS://FLIC.KR/P/2EMRH22. NOTE THAT THE CAR HAD 24 MI REMAINING ON THE RANGE AND HAD A BAR INDICATING OF THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED. WE ALSO INTERMITTENTLY RECEIVED THE POWER DOWN WARNING LIGHT ('TURTLE' ICON DISPLAYED ON THE DASH) IN COOLER WEATHER AND/OR WHEN THE CAR TOOK AN UPHILL GRADE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS--WHEN T

Mileage: 50,000

20190121SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKES SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. THE PROBLEM WAS THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. THE DEALER REPORTED TO ME THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED IN 2013 AS A SAFETY RECALL. APPARENTLY THE REPLACEMENT PUMP DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE REPLACEMENT BRAKE VACUUM PUMP REPLACEMENT IS NOT DURABLE. I WAS CHARGED $1,300 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP HAD SEIZED INTERNALLY.

Mileage: 26,517

20181115ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TWO TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SEIZED AND SHEARED GEARS OR SHEARED GEARS RESPECTIVELY. ADDITIONALLY THE TRACTION BATTERY RETAINS 61% OF ADVERTISED CAPACITY AFTER 5.5 YEARS AND 41,XXX MILES.

Mileage: 41,800

20181115FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TWO TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SEIZED AND SHEARED GEARS OR SHEARED GEARS RESPECTIVELY. ADDITIONALLY THE TRACTION BATTERY RETAINS 61% OF ADVERTISED CAPACITY AFTER 5.5 YEARS AND 41,XXX MILES.

Mileage: 41,800

20180313SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE VACUUM PUMP HAS FAILED THERE HAVE BEEN 2 PREVIOUS RECALLS RELATING TO THIS VACUUM PUMP. MY PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER THE FIRST RECALL. IT WAS NOT REPLACED UNDER THE SECOND RECALL (NHTSA ID: 14V522), DURING WHICH "DEALERS WILL EITHER REPROGRAM THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP CONTROLLER, REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP OR DO BOTH, FREE OF CHARGE." MITSUBISHI CONSIDERS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FULFILLED. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ($846 FOR THE PART) TO REPLACE THIS CLEARLY PROBLEMATIC PART. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TO MITSUBISHI OF NORTH AMERICA AND RECEIVED NO HELP.

Mileage: 36,000

20141230SERVICE BRAKES

2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. COMPLAINT RELATED TO SECOND RECALL OF I-MIEV. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED AT 12,000 MILES, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS DISINTEGRATED FOR NO REASON. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VACUUM PUMP RELATED AND THE BRAKE PADS DISINTEGRATING WERE RELATED. THE CONSUMER STATED MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SHIPPED HONOLULU FROM HAWAII ISLAND. MITSUBISHI STATED THE BRAKES WERE NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. *JB

20141230SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. COMPLAINT RELATED TO SECOND RECALL OF I-MIEV. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED AT 12,000 MILES, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS DISINTEGRATED FOR NO REASON. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VACUUM PUMP RELATED AND THE BRAKE PADS DISINTEGRATING WERE RELATED. THE CONSUMER STATED MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SHIPPED HONOLULU FROM HAWAII ISLAND. MITSUBISHI STATED THE BRAKES WERE NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. *JB

20141110CrashSERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SPINE WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V522000 (BRAKES) AND BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Mileage: 22,000

20140823CrashFatalAIR BAGS

THE I-MIEV WAS BEING OPERATED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN IT HIT A PARKED CAR A AND PUSHED A INTO PARKED CAR B. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN THE I-MIEV DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, AND WAS COGENT AND CONVERSATIONAL. THE I-MIEV WAS TOWED AWAY DUE TO FRONT FENDER DAMAGE IMPEDING THE TIRE. THE DRIVER WAS PRESCRIBED THE BLOOD THINNER WARFIN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER CONTINUED WITH THE DAILY ROUTINE AND WAS REPORTED TO HAVE SHOWN NO EFFECTS OF THE ACCIDENT UNTIL 6 HOURS LATER. AT THAT POINT THE DRIVER COLLAPSED INTO A COMA AND NEVER RECOVERED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL ER WHERE A CATSCAN SHOWED A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA. THE CAUSE OF DEATH PER THE DEATH CERTIFICATE WAS COMPLICATIONS OF SUBDURAL HEMATOMA; BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO THE HEAD; AND MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS TO NOT RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A VEHICLE WITH AIRBAGS WHILE ON BLOOD THINNE

20140823CrashFatalSERVICE BRAKES

THE I-MIEV WAS BEING OPERATED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN IT HIT A PARKED CAR A AND PUSHED A INTO PARKED CAR B. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN THE I-MIEV DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, AND WAS COGENT AND CONVERSATIONAL. THE I-MIEV WAS TOWED AWAY DUE TO FRONT FENDER DAMAGE IMPEDING THE TIRE. THE DRIVER WAS PRESCRIBED THE BLOOD THINNER WARFIN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER CONTINUED WITH THE DAILY ROUTINE AND WAS REPORTED TO HAVE SHOWN NO EFFECTS OF THE ACCIDENT UNTIL 6 HOURS LATER. AT THAT POINT THE DRIVER COLLAPSED INTO A COMA AND NEVER RECOVERED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL ER WHERE A CATSCAN SHOWED A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA. THE CAUSE OF DEATH PER THE DEATH CERTIFICATE WAS COMPLICATIONS OF SUBDURAL HEMATOMA; BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO THE HEAD; AND MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS TO NOT RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A VEHICLE WITH AIRBAGS WHILE ON BLOOD THINNE

20140212ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WHICH NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Mileage: 10,000

Compare 2012MITSUBISHII-MIEV to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV have?
The 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV has 20 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV?
Yes, the 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV?
The most-complained component for the 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV is SERVICE BRAKES with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.