VehicleVerdict

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 1 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

20

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other i-MiEV years?

i-MiEV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted20 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 20 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 1 complaints
i-MiEV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all i-MiEV years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes945%
Electrical System420%
Transmission210%
Airbags210%
Engine15%
Fuel System15%
Other15%

Does the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V804000BrakesNovember 8, 2019 · 2,108 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

17V022000AirbagsJanuary 10, 2017 · 1,964 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

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.

15V594000AirbagsSeptember 23, 2015 · 13,558 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not deploy or deploys late, increases the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

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.

14V522000BrakesSeptember 2, 2014 · 1,810 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the brake vacuum pump stops functioning, the distance needed to stop the vehicle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

13V031000BrakesJanuary 25, 2013 · 1,402 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

12V372000AirbagsAugust 1, 2012 · 261 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SPINE WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 5, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WHICH NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 12, 2014

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 28, 2019

“THE I-MIEV WAS BEING OPERATED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN IT HIT A PARKED CAR A AND PUSHED A INTO PARKED CAR B. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN THE I-MIEV DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, AND WAS COGENT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 13, 2014 · crash

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 28, 2019

2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV — common questions

Is the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV reliable?

The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 i-MiEV problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (9 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), transmission (2 complaints).

Does the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.