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Mitsubishi OutlanderModel year report

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
86,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 28 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by visibility (5) and other or unknown (4). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 86,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 104 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Visibility complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the motor and 2 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.

Also reported: Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Following I just sent to Mitsubishi headquarters I see recalls for transmissions for my make and model and year that states transmission fail prematurely between the miles of 114,000! And 179,000 and mine did at 137,000 it is now stating for 4 model years 2 of which are 2011&2013. What was the difference for 2012 transmission when yes indeed my year of 2012 transmission failed prematurely? It did just as your recall states and then when I put in my VIN# I am told it wasn't my skipped year that was part of the recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #11124483, filed 2018-09, 137,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10508705, filed 2013-04, 6,915 miles

Other or unknown: “I was driving speed limit, on a sunny day, when my car began to veer to the left. I eased back into the right lane and suddenly the car made a quick jerk to the left; then, another to the right. I slid on the bank and missed the ditch before becoming airborne and landing in a corn field. I was able to drive to a safe location when the traction control light appeared on the dashboard.”

NHTSA complaint #11516984, filed 2023-04

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11066960, filed 2018-02, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

27% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,915 and 137,000 miles.

27%0–100%10–250%25–509%50–7518%75–10036%100–1509%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: 86,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2013201742019202120232025
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. 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 · SUV AWD★★★★☆4 / 3454 · 16.9% risk
Outlander · SUV FWD★★★★☆4 / 3454 · 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 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 2WD2.4L 4-cylCVT222825$2,700
Outlander 2WD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192622$3,750
Outlander 4WD2.4L 4-cylCVT222724$2,800
Outlander 4WD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192421$3,900

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 → · 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. 104 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 104 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20251519,0001—27—Too new
2024265,0001427Too new to compareToo new
20235033,000242750 · TypicalToo new
202221710,0007—27100 · MoreStable
20203266,00034–52725 · FewerRising
20192920,00054–52751 · TypicalRising
20185727,50064–52766 · MoreRising
20175134,00064–52762 · TypicalFalling
201614560,51884–52786 · MoreFalling
20155335,00054–52753 · TypicalRising
20144530,00044–52750 · TypicalFalling
20132661,40054258 · FewerFalling
20122286,0006425—Falling
20115864,0008—2537 · TypicalRising
20106062,00010—2433 · FewerFalling
20094692,50013—2215 · FewerRising
20085899,00012—2221 · FewerFalling
200712588,7899—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200621100,0001—22—Stable
20051988,0001—22—Falling
20045263,2504—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200311668,2506—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising

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

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 6 complaints (27% of the total), followed by visibility with 5.

Has the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander 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 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander 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 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander (Outlander 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 86,000 miles and the middle half falls between 6,915 and 137,000 miles; 27% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.