2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
36,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 13 complaints (61.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 53.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 23.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Service Brakes: 8; Electrical System: 3; Air Bags: 2; Power Train: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2014: 4; 2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 3; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10653848 · 2014-11-10 (November 10, 2014)
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 DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V522000 (BRAKES) AND BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10653848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10661700 · 2014-12-30 (December 30, 2014)
2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. COMPLAINT RELATED TO SECOND RECALL OF I-MIEV. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED AT 12,000 MILES, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS DISINTEGRATED FOR NO REASON. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VACUUM PUMP RELATED AND THE BRAKE PADS DISINTEGRATING WERE RELATED. THE CONSUMER STATED MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SHIPPED HONOLULU FROM HAWAII ISLAND. MITSUBISHI STATED THE BRAKES WERE NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10661700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564009 · 2014-02-12 (February 12, 2014)
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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564009 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11151876 · 2018-11-15 (November 15, 2018)
TWO TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SEIZED AND SHEARED GEARS OR SHEARED GEARS RESPECTIVELY. ADDITIONALLY THE TRACTION BATTERY RETAINS 61% OF ADVERTISED CAPACITY AFTER 5.5 YEARS AND 41,XXX MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11151876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311628 · 2020-02-26 (February 26, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311628 at NHTSA ↗