repaired · 2019 Q2
Gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
Risk. If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 Mitsubishi LancerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 19 owner complaints about the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 18V-069 the manufacturer reports only 37% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 1, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer has problems
19 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Power train2 crash/fire/injury
5Engine1 crash/fire/injury
2Fuel/propulsion system1 crash/fire/injury
2Vehicle speed control
2Visibility/wiper
2Steering1 crash/fire/injury
1Air bags
1Wheels
1Electrical system
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 6 | 2 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mitsubishi.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Lancer year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Lancer median. How we score
'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer safety ratings
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
- Rollover: 4 stars (12.1% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Lancer owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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
Own a 2012 Lancer?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.