Model year record

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV recalls & problems

The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV has 6 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (8 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints13filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints

NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicNov 8, 2019

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 19V8040002,108 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: Without the brake vacuum pump, the driver will experience a sudden loss of braking assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-19-002.

Air bagsJan 10, 2017

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 17V0220001,964 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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 necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 10, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-001.

Air bagsSep 23, 2015

Air bags

Recall 15V59400013,558 vehicles

Problem: 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 sensor for the air bag system, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal, side and/or curtain air bags when the SRS warning is illuminated, the frontal air bag may have a delayed deployment and/or the side and curtian air bag may not deploy at all.
Risk: In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not deploy or deploys late, increases the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected impact sensors, free of charge. The recall began on November 5, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-15-011.

Service brakes, hydraulicSep 2, 2014

Power assist › Vacuum

Recall 14V5220001,810 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: If the brake vacuum pump stops functioning, the distance needed to stop the vehicle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and depending on the affected vehicle, dealers will either reprogram the brake vacuum pump controller, replace the brake vacuum pump or do both, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-007.

Service brakes, hydraulicJan 25, 2013

Power assist

Recall 13V0310001,402 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: If the vaccum pump system fails, it will reduce available brake power which would result in lengthened stopping distances, which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected vacuum pumps free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.

Components: Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist; Service brakes

Air bagsAug 1, 2012

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 12V372000261 vehicles

Problem: 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 would illuminate to alert the driver.
Risk: The side and curtain air bags may not deploy in a crash for which those air bags were intended to deploy, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incompatible air bag sensors with new, compatible units, free of charge. The safety recall began on during August 2012. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV 5 HB RWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	14.7%

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Range & efficiency

i-MiEV EV

62mi range

Efficiency	30 kWh/100 mi
MPGe city / hwy / comb	126 / 99 / 112
Charge time (240 V)	7 h

Automatic (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $700/year to charge

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes	8	2	1	24,329 mi
Electrical system	3	0	0	50,000 mi
Air bags	2	1	0	—
Power train	2	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	0	0	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	1	0	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0	0	—
Engine	1	0	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air 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…
Mar 26, 2021
Unknown 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.
Jan 18, 2019 · 89,804 miles
Electrical 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.
Dec 28, 2019 · 60,000 miles
Service 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.
Feb 4, 2020
Service 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.
Nov 19, 2018 · 22,141 miles
Electrical 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…
Nov 19, 2018 · 50,000 miles
Service 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.
Jan 1, 2019 · 26,517 miles
Electronic 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.
Nov 15, 2018 · 41,800 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Brake Vacuum Pump FailureClosedLed to recall 19V804000
On May 10, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ19-002 to investigate three complaints alleging brake vacuum pump failures after the remedies for Recalls 13V-031 and 14V-522 had been completed in model year (MY) 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles. The investigation was opened on model year (MY) 2010 through 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles to cover all products sold in the United States with the same vacuum pump (Recall 14V-522 included MY 2010 through 2014 i-MiEV vehicles). Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) provided information about nine (9) additional reports of brake vacuum pump failure in its response to ODI's information request letter for RQ-002 (MY 2012 - 8, MY 2014 - 1). In addition, MMNA's response indicated that there are no MY 2010 through 2011 i-MiEV vehicles currently in the United States (a small number of MY 2010 through 2011…
RQ19002 · opened May 10, 2019 · closed Dec 12, 2019