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U.S. public vehicle records

2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

22 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

86,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 22 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting522.7%
Engine operation29.1%
Braking behavior14.5%
Electrical and battery issues14.5%
Steering behavior14.5%

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
Unknown Or Other
4
Engine
3
Service Brakes
3
Suspension
3
Visibility/Wiper
3
Air Bags
2
Electrical System
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train6
Unknown Or Other4
Engine3
Service Brakes3
Suspension3
Visibility/Wiper3
Air Bags2
Electrical System2

Power Train: 6; Unknown Or Other: 4; Engine: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Suspension: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 3; Air Bags: 2; Electrical System: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
4
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9994
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 11 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
2
2014
1
2017
3
2018
4
2019
2
2020
1
2021
2
2022
3
2023
1
2024
2
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20132
20141
20173
20184
20192
20201
20212
20223
20231
20242
20251

2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10498258 · 2013-02-15 (February 15, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SNOW WAS BUILDING IN THE RIMS, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE RIMS WERE CLEANED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH SUBSEQUENT TIME THAT IT WOULD SNOW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,400.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10498258 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10508705 · 2013-04-18 (April 18, 2013)

WHILE IN MOTION, AN ANCHORING SCREW HOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR TO THE ROOF PANEL FELL OUT INTO MY LAP. AS THE PASSENGER AT THE TIE, I CHECKED THE VISOR, NOTICING THE SCREW FELL FROM ABOVE AND NOTICED THE SECOND OF THE TWO ANCHORING SCREWS WAS NEAR FALLING OUT, ALSO. PREVIOUSLY, A SIMILAR SCREW HAD BEEN FOUND ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR AREA, BUT THE LOCATION IT CAME FROM WAS NOT APPARENT AS THE VISOR MOUNT FROM WHICH IT FELL WAS HIDDEN BY THE POSITION OF THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR. CHECKING THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR, I NOTICED THE SECOND AND LAST A…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,915 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508705 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10579398 · 2014-04-12 (April 12, 2014)

ONE DAY I NOTICED A SCREW MISSING FROM THE PIECE THAT HOLDS THE VISOR TO THE ROOF AND IT WON'T BE LONG UNTIL THE VISOR FALLS ALL TOGETHER. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10579398 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10959748 · 2017-03-09 (March 9, 2017)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V791000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10959748 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10980029 · 2017-04-23 (April 23, 2017)

I HAVE A RECALL # 16V791, AND NOTHING HAPPEN FOR FIX THE PROBLEM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10980029 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11006722 · 2017-07-21 (July 21, 2017)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V791000 (VISIBILITY) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (LARRY JAY MITSUBISHI, 8415 SOUTH BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28273, [phone removed]) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11006722 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11066960 · 2018-02-05 (February 5, 2018)

THE REAR BRAKES GET SO HOT THAT WHEN THEY GET SNOW OR RAIN THEY SMOKE AND SMELL REAL BAD THAT I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO OPEN DOORS. IT IS REAL BAD ONCE YOU STOP. I CANT DO MY TRANSPORTATION JOB BECAUSE OF IT. THE DEALER TELLS IT IS NORMAL.

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066960 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11082555 · 2018-04-02 (April 2, 2018)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAYTONA MITSUBISHI (LOCATED AT 510 N NOVA RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER A FEW YEARS AGO FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A FLAT SPOT FROM THE TIRE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M…

Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11082555 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

14V366000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections

Reported: 2014-06-25 (June 25, 2014)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, Mitusbishi is recalling certain 2007-2012 Outlander vehicles that received replacement 6-speed automatic transmissions during servicing. The transmissions in these vehicles have insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the converter housing of the automatic transmission. As a result of the contact, the power steering pressure tube may develop a hole and leak power steering fluid.

Consequence: A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-006.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V458000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm

Reported: 2016-06-23 (June 23, 2016)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, 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 the loss of control of the vehicle, 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 that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V791000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages

Reported: 2016-10-31 (October 31, 2016)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles manufactured September 8, 2006, to March 29, 2013. In the affected 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 rubber boot on the ball joint to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, they will inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, replacing it as necessary. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-009.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V461000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor

Reported: 2017-07-20 (July 20, 2017)

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. 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 recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-003.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
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 ↗
20V279000 · Structure:Frame And Members | Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm

Reported: 2020-05-18 (May 18, 2020)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗