VehicleVerdict

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — 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 one death and 2 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

18

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

1

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Outlander Sport years?

Outlander Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted279 complaints2011: 47 complaints2012: 18 complaints2013: 59 complaints2014: 58 complaints2015: 279 complaints2016: 42 complaints2017: 47 complaints2018: 37 complaints2019: 42 complaints2020: 34 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 21 complaints2023: 15 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 1 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Outlander Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Outlander Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags633%
Engine317%
Suspension211%
Body & Structure211%
Electrical System211%
Visibility & Wipers211%
Transmission16%

Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have recalls?

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

20V279000Body & StructureMay 18, 2020 · 141,200 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

Consequence

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

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.

18V103000Visibility & WipersFebruary 9, 2018 · 158,651 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.

Consequence

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

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.

18V069000EngineJanuary 26, 2018 · 141,053 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

16V867000Body & StructureDecember 2, 2016 · 50,228 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to June 1, 2012, and 2016 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 11, 2016, to July 8, 2016. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetration.

Consequence

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 of injury.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lift gate supports, free of charge. The recall began on January 20, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.

16V792000Visibility & WipersOctober 31, 2016 · 93,801 units

Defect

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to January 5, 2015. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole. The water may cause internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the possible failure of the motor.

Consequence

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

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The manufacturer has begun the recall, but parts are not yet available; a second notice will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-010.

12V001000LightingJanuary 3, 2012 · 21 units

Defect

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 OUTLANDER SPORT VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 16, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE TURN SIGNAL LEVERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE NOT MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE AUTO-CANCEL FUNCTION OF THE TURN SIGNAL BECOMING INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

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 THE SIGNAL. A FOLLOWING OR ONCOMING DRIVER MAY RECEIVE INACCURATE INDICATIONS OF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR'S INTENDED MANEUVERS, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH BETWEEN VEHICLES DUE TO IMPROPER VEHICLE SIGNALING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. NO VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RETAILED TO CUSTOMERS WITH THIS POTENTIAL CONDITION, NO RECALL BULLETIN OR OWNER LETTERS WILL BE PREPARED. YOU 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.

I JUST HAD ACCIDENT TODAY 02/18/201. MY CAR WAS BADLY DAMAGED AND A POSSIBLE TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRST SITUATION THAT MADE ME CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE AIRBAG. THE SIDE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE (FRONT AND BACK) DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT WAS ENORMOUS THAT IF MY CHILD WAS THERE I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 18, 2015 · crash

TAKATA RECALL WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE MAKES A WINING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN I AM DRIVING. SECOND PROBLEM IS THE MY WINDHIELD WIPER NO LONGER HOLD WATER AND IT IS LEAKING OUT COMPLETELY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKED WHEN PURCHASED AND THE ENGINE LOUD WINING NOISE JUST STARTED IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 6, 2016

TRANSMISSION/ENGINE MAKES A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING ABOVE 2000 RPMS CURRENTLY. IT STARTED OUT ONLY DOING IT WHEN GOING UP HILL AT HIGHER RPMS BUT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT HAS ALSO AFFECTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND HAD THE LOCKS, BACKUP CAMERA, REVERSE LIGHTS ALL GOING HAYWIRE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 17, 2017

TAKATA RECALL WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE MAKES A WINING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN I AM DRIVING. SECOND PROBLEM IS THE MY WINDHIELD WIPER NO LONGER HOLD WATER AND IT IS LEAKING OUT COMPLETELY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKED WHEN PURCHASED AND THE ENGINE LOUD WINING NOISE JUST STARTED IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 6, 2016

The vehicle has extreme rust and corrosion. Car was service under the manufacturer recall on [XXX] 2020. The subframe crossmember has rusted so bad that it is a safety hazard. On my paperwork from the dealership it stated that anti-corrosion aerosol was applied with NOX RUST 712AM. It also stated…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 5, 2020

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — common questions

Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?

The record is thin — 18 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 Outlander Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (6 complaints), engine (3 complaints), suspension (2 complaints).

Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have recalls?

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

Which Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Outlander Sport years to avoid are 2015, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Outlander Sport years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

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.