2012 Mitsubishi LANCER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
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.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 26.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 15.8% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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: 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10537886 · 2013-08-29 (August 29, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY RAN OUT OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE LOW FUEL IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FUEL GAUGE READING THREE QUARTERS OF A TANK FULL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. NONE OF THE REPAIRS REMEDIED THE DEFECTIVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,830 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537886 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 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 ↗
Owner report 10619075 · 2014-08-05 (August 5, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10619075 at NHTSA ↗
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 11065933 · 2018-01-30 (January 30, 2018)
ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A STOP SIGN, I HIT THEIR VECHILE HEAD ON. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11065933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11123354 · 2018-08-29 (August 29, 2018)
THE WIPER MOTOR WILL FAIL RANDOMLY, THE BLADE WILL JUST STOP MOVING. WHEN THE WIPER IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON, IT WILL START WORKING AGAIN BUT THEN FAIL AGAIN. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. THERE IS A RECENT RECALL FOR THE 2011-2015 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT MODEL (RECALL NUMBER 16V792000) WITH "INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND THE POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE MOTOR." WHICH HAS THE SAME WIPER COMPONENTS AS THE LANCER MODEL.
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11123354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11151089 · 2018-11-12 (November 12, 2018)
EL CARRO CUANDO VA SUBIENDO CUESTA LARGAS NO ACCELERA SE QUEDA SIN FUERZA Y DICE QUE BAJE LA VELOCIDAD SI EL SOLO LO BAJA Y NO PERMITE ACCELERAL Y EL MOTOR TIENE UN RUIDO QUENO ES NORMAL NI LO HACIA ANTES
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11151089 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V069000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
Reported: 2018-01-26 (January 26, 2018)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗