MITSUBISHI LANCER · model year

2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER

26 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012MITSUBISHILANCER carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 LANCER is power train with 6 filings, followed by engine (5) and fuel/propulsion system (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 1 active recall campaign, 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 LANCER. 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.

26
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 4.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

26 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 4/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN6
ENGINE5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
STEERING2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
AIR BAGS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SUSPENSION1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
WHEELS1

Recalls (1)

18V06900026/01/2018

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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 b

Recent Complaints

20240201CrashPOWER TRAIN

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

20240201CrashWHEELS

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

20240201CrashSTEERING

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

20230317STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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.

Mileage: 65,000

20210908ENGINE

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.

20210628ENGINE

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.

20210628ENGINE

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.

20210312SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 123,000

20210116ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE AYC/ACD PUMP FAILURE

Mileage: 55,000

20210116POWER TRAIN

THE AYC/ACD PUMP FAILURE

Mileage: 55,000

20210116UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE AYC/ACD PUMP FAILURE

Mileage: 55,000

20200611POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 141,552

20200427POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 60,000

20190909ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

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.

Mileage: 80,839

20190112VISIBILITY/WIPER

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.

Mileage: 28,500

20181112POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 80,000

20181112VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 80,000

20180829VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE WIPER MOTOR WILL FAIL RANDOMLY, THE BLADE WILL JUST STOP MOVING. WHEN THE WIPER IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON, IT WILL START WORKING AGAIN BUT THEN FAIL AGAIN. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. THERE IS A RECENT RECALL FOR THE 2011-2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT MODEL (RECALL NUMBER 16V792000) WITH "INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND THE POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE MOTOR." WHICH HAS THE SAME WIPER COMPONENTS AS THE LANCER MODEL.

Mileage: 26,000

20180130CrashAIR BAGS

ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A STOP SIGN, I HIT THEIR VECHILE HEAD ON. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

Mileage: 86,000

20160616CrashENGINE

RECEIVED VEHICLE AT 10KM, AFTER 2 OIL CHANGES, AT 16000KM MILIEGE DROPPED FROM 700KM ON A TANK OF GAS TO 300KM TANK OF GAS. AT 24000KM HEAVY TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NOISES OCCURRED. GEARS SLIPPING OUT WHILE ACCELERATING CAUSING RPMS TO SHOOT UP TO 6000-7000 WHILE VEHICLE NOT MOVING. TIMING BELT AND PULLEYS NOT WORKING PROPERLY CAUSING TO MUCH ENGINE NOISE. METAL GRINDING AND WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER CARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND CV JOINT PROBLEM. REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALERSHIP AND TECHINCIANS EACH TIME I GO IN. THEIR RESPONSE IS ITS JUST TIRE NOISE AND YOUR VEHICLE IS RUNNING SMOOTHLY EACH TIME. NOW AT 68,000 KM, REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS GONE, ENGINE BARELY HOLDING UP, SUSPENSION ON DRIVER SIDE IS IS LOWER THAN PASSENGER SIDE. WHEEL BEARING NOISES PRESENT. 4X4 AWC SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING. VEHICLE IS DRAGGING AND IS AT QUARTER EFFICIENCY. ON TIME WITH SERVICE AND OIL CHANGE, KEEP BRINGING UP SAME COMPLAINTS AND REPORTED BACK THAT ITS JUST TIRE NOISE. ALL 4 TIRES CHANGES,

Mileage: 28,000

Compare 2012MITSUBISHILANCER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER have?
The 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 26 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
The 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 4/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
Yes, the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER?
The most-complained component for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER is POWER TRAIN with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. 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.