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2012 Mitsubishi Lancer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

2 reports
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80,000 miles · Nov 12, 2018
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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

NHTSA ODI #11151089

24,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

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 NO…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10619075

Official recalls

1

18V069000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.