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U.S. public vehicle records

2012 Mitsubishi LANCER problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

19 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

55,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 19 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting526.3%
Engine operation315.8%
Braking behavior210.5%
Electrical and battery issues210.5%
Steering behavior15.3%

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.

Power Train
6
Engine
5
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Steering
2
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Visibility/Wiper
2
Air Bags
1
Electrical System
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train6
Engine5
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Steering2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Visibility/Wiper2
Air Bags1
Electrical System1

Power Train: 6; Engine: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Steering: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Visibility/Wiper: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0004
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9992
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 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.

2013
3
2014
1
2016
1
2018
3
2019
2
2020
2
2021
5
2023
1
2024
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20133
20141
20161
20183
20192
20202
20215
20231
20241

2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 5; 2023: 1; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10874522 · 2016-06-16 (June 16, 2016)

RECEIVED VEHICLE AT 10KM, AFTER 2 OIL CHANGES, AT 16000KM MILIEGE DROPPED FROM 700KM ON A TANK OF GAS TO 300KM TANK OF GAS. AT 24000KM HEAVY TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NOISES OCCURRED. GEARS SLIPPING OUT WHILE ACCELERATING CAUSING RPMS TO SHOOT UP TO 6000-7000 WHILE VEHICLE NOT MOVING. TIMING BELT AND PULLEYS NOT WORKING PROPERLY CAUSING TO MUCH ENGINE NOISE. METAL GRINDING AND WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER CARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND CV JOINT PROBLEM. REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALERSHIP AND TECHINCIANS EACH TIME I GO IN. THEIR RESPO…

Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10874522 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11322465 · 2020-04-27 (April 27, 2020)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11322465 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10544227 · 2013-09-18 (September 18, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND STALLED WITH NO WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CENTRAL COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10544227 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11254213 · 2019-09-09 (September 9, 2019)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THERE WAS A HESITATION BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A RATTLING SOUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EXPRESSWAY MITSUBISHI (LOCATED AT 5511 E INDIANA ST, EVANSVILLE, IN 47715, (866)437-9750) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

Owner-reported narrative. 80,839 miles reported. Look up ODI 11254213 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11422594 · 2021-06-28 (June 28, 2021)

NHTSA safety report 06/2021 , while driving approximately 45-50 mph, the ABS warning light and traction control light suddenly came on the display so I reduced speed and had planned to proceed to the next service station which was approximately 1.5 miles away. However, when I was approximately 1/2 mile from the station the engine stalled, the vehicle slightly jerked, and the the engine died. At this point, I shifted into neutral and cruised a couple hundred feet to a safe pull-off point. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the battery was completel…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422594 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11432087 · 2021-09-08 (September 8, 2021)

I own a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer and I have been experiencing issues with the engine. The check engine light comes on constantly then disappears for about 2 weeks and then comes back soon after. This has been a ongoing thing since i got the car a few months ago. Also, my battery light will come on (with noise and notice) then quickly turn off and not come back on. This happens on and off also. I did some research and I believe it is a belt issue.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11432087 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10544934 · 2013-09-23 (September 23, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, A SQUEAKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10544934 at NHTSA ↗