The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer has 1 safety recall and 19 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (6 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints19filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
NHTSA recall 18V069000 · Jan 26, 2018 · 141,053 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
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
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
12.1%
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
12.1%
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
12.1%
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
12.1%
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.
Fuel economy
Lancer
28mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
Lancer
28mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
Lancer
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Lancer
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Lancer AWD
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Lancer
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
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
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train
6
2
0
0
60,000 mi
Engine
5
1
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
2
1
0
0
—
Steering
2
1
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
2
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
2
0
0
0
—
Air bags
1
1
0
1
—
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
1
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension
1
0
0
0
—
Structure Frame and members
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 12, 2024 · crashPower 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…
Mar 16, 2023 · 65,000 milesStructure › 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.
Apr 13, 2021Engine 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.
Jun 18, 2021Engine NHTSA safety report 06/2021 â 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…
Jun 1, 2021Engine 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 weâre 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.
Mar 6, 2021 · 123,000 milesSuspension 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.
Jan 5, 2021 · 55,000 milesElectrical system THE AYC/ACD PUMP FAILURE
May 5, 2020 · 141,552 milesPower 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.