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2012 Mitsubishi Outlander SportProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 14 owner complaints about the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-069 the manufacturer reports only 37% of affected cars repaired.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 37%Owner complaints144 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage39kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 27, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has problems

14 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags62
Electrical system20
Engine20
Visibility/wiper20
Structure21
Suspension20
Power train10
Engine and engine cooling10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 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.

39%repaired · 2022 Q2

Structure: frame and members

Recall 20V-279 · May 18, 2020 · 141,200 vehicles · 55,415 repaired

Risk. A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

56%repaired · 2019 Q2

Windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Recall 18V-103 · Feb 9, 2018 · 158,651 vehicles · 88,853 repaired

Risk. Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

37%repaired · 2019 Q2

Gasoline: belts and associated pulleys

Recall 18V-069 · Jan 26, 2018 · 141,053 vehicles · 52,415 repaired

Risk. If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

58%repaired · 2018 Q2

Body: hatchback/liftgate

Recall 16V-867 · Dec 2, 2016 · 50,228 vehicles · 29,345 repaired

Risk. If the outer tube corrodes, there may be a rapid loss of the gas used to provide lift assistance, causing the lift gate to fall suddenly, increasing the risk…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
55%repaired · 2018 Q2

Windshield wiper/washer: motor

Recall 16V-792 · Oct 31, 2016 · 93,801 vehicles · 52,039 repaired

Risk. Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: turn signal

Recall 12V-001 · Jan 3, 2012 · 21 vehicles

Risk. THE TURN SIGNAL MAY CONTINUE TO SIGNAL AN INTENDED DIRECTIONAL CHANGE AFTER A POINT WHEN THE AUTO-CANCEL FUNCTION, IF OPERATING PROPERLY, WOULD HAVE TERMINATED…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport median. How we score

'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport safety ratings

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 4 stars (16.9% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Outlander Sport owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH DURING NIGHT, THE VEHICLE HIT TWO PEDESTRIANS CROSSING THE ROAD AND FATALLY INJURED ONE OF THE PEDESTRIANS. THE OTHER PASSENGER WAS BEING PUSHED IN A WHEELCHAIR AND DID SUSTAIN INJURIES BUT…
Complaint 11219713 · Jun 13, 2019 · 70,000 miles
TAKATA RECALL" WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR THE LIGHT OF MY PANEL SHOWS "AIRBAG SERVICE NEEDED". STAY ON THE LIGHT UNTIL I TURN OFF THE CAR. I HAVE THIS PROBLEM SINCE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND OF THIS CURRENT YEARS UNTIL PRESENT TIME. I LOOKED ON ONLINE AND I FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES.
Complaint 11174579 · Feb 5, 2019
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH IS ON. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR BENEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT IS DEFECTIVE. IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND COSTS $1700. THEY ARE SAYING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY,…
Complaint 10871234 · May 27, 2016 · 86,000 miles

Own a 2012 Outlander Sport?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.