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Mitsubishi Outlander SportModel year report

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
52,900miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
27 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The part named most often is air bags, with 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine (2). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 52,900 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 125 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 30 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “I just had accident today 02/18/201. My car was badly damaged and a possible total loss. The first situation that made me concerned about is the airbag. The side airbag on the passengers side (front and back) did not deploy. The impact was enormous that if my child was there I don't know if she's still with me. I am concerned that this might happen to the other Mitsubishi Outlander Sport owner. Airbag of Mitsubishi is so concerning. I would like to file a law suit against Mitsubishi for not being safe for the driver to drive....updated 03-11-15”

NHTSA complaint #10684164, filed 2015-02, 38,948 miles

Electrical system: “Transmission/engine makes a high pitched whining noise when accelerating above 2000 rpms currently. It started out only doing it when going up hill at higher rpms but has gotten worse. It has also affected the electrical system and had the locks, backup camera, reverse lights all going haywire. This was witnessed by my oil shop while getting an oil change on it the mechanic couldnt get the vehicle from drive to park amd once it did go it would unlock from park. I was told it was sensors by a Mitsubishi dealership but that didnt solve the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10995813, filed 2017-06, 52,900 miles

Engine: “Takata recall when driving my vehicle makes a wining sound from the engine in the vehicle when I am driving. Second problem is the my windhield wiper no longer hold water and it is leaking out completely. The windshield wiper worked when purchased and the engine loud wining noise just started in september when the windshield stop working. The engine noise is while being driven. The wiper just started leaking it has a hold in the reserver I believe.”

NHTSA complaint #10925524, filed 2016-11, 48,000 miles

Body and structure: “My Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a keyless start. There is no mechanism that prevents the vehicle accidentally being turned off while still in drive or reverse. On 5/30/19 at approximately 9:20 pm, I made a run to my local rite-aid. I turned of the ignition, but forgot to put it in park. I exited the store after approximately 5 minutes to find my car missing from the parking lot. I initially thought it had been stolen. The police found my vehicle after it had rolled out of the parking lot, into traffic and ended up crashing in a ditch. …”

NHTSA complaint #11217888, filed 2019-06, 80,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

36% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,948 and 86,000 miles.

9%0–109%10–2518%25–5027%50–7527%75–1009%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 52,900 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2012201420152016201720193202120232024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Outlander Sport · SUV AWD★★★★☆4 / 4454 · 16.9% risk
Outlander Sport · SUV FWD★★★★☆4 / 4454 · 19.1% risk

Neighbouring years: 2013: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Outlander Sport 2WD2.0L 4-cylCVT253027$2,500
Outlander Sport 2WD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual243026$2,600
Outlander Sport 4WD2.0L 4-cylCVT232825$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 125 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 125 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20237150427—Too new
20221126,7341427—Not enough data
20211922,0001427—Rising
20202651,000142754 · TypicalRising
20192631,550142546 · TypicalRising
20182150,6942425—Stable
20172733,870042530 · FewerFalling
20162627,850842574 · MoreRising
201518347,0009426100 · MoreFalling
20144159,800642682 · MoreFalling
20134261,0091042744 · TypicalFalling
20121452,9006427—Not enough data
20113083,30210—2712 · FewerRising

All Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (Outlander Sport 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 25 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 52,900 miles and the middle half falls between 38,948 and 86,000 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.