2012 Mitsubishi Outlander problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (4) · Visibility/Wiper (3) · Suspension (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Outlander model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (6)
Structure:frame And Members 2020-05-18 · campaign 20V279000 · 141,200 vehicles
Defect: 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 c
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2018-01-26 · campaign 18V069000 · 141,053 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor 2017-07-20 · campaign 17V461000 · 100,082 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:linkages 2016-10-31 · campaign 16V791000 · 100,082 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2016-06-23 · campaign 16V458000 · 194,674 vehicles
Defect: 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 Co
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections 2014-06-25 · campaign 14V366000 · 203 vehicles
Defect: 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, t
Risk: A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (104)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Seat Belts 2025-11-21 · TECH TALK 289 · Other
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Electrical System 2024-07-23 · TSB-16-54-001REV · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin instructs the dealer to update the hands free module software to improve the bluetooth connection when certain devices are connected to wi‐fi.
Power Train 2024-06-03 · TSB-24-23-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service manual revision - this technical service bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the automatic transaxle sections of the applicable service manuals.
Engine 2024-06-03 · TSB-24-11-002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service manual revision - this technical service bulletin provides additions to the description of special tools used for removal of the drive belt within the engine mechanical (3.0l engine) section of the applicable service manuals.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Structure 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
Showing the 6 most recent of 104 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-08 · Unknown Or Other“my mitsubishi vehicle has an open recall related to a drive belt issue. mitsubishi confirmed the recall, but the company have not completed the repair or scheduled an appointment, even after several attempts to contact them. the vehicle has stalled multiple times while driving, including on city roads. when it stalls, the check engine light comes …”
2024-08-15 · Suspension · 134,148 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mitsubishi outlander. the contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, she observed a rubbing noise emanating from underneath the vehicle. the contact stated that on one of those occasions, the check engine warning light illuminated. additionally, while driving over bumps in the roadway the vehic…”
2024-01-23 · Seats“the car's airbag system service required came on without any incidents to the car. it used to be on and off but now, it is consistently on. the seat detect very lightweight things like a book or a bag and gives the warning of seatbelt not on. the airbag system and the pressure sensor of the passenger seat is faulty. with this warning, airbags will…”
2023-04-14 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“ 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 con…”
2022-12-15 · Seat Belts“the seat belt has started to fail. it sounds like it clicks in and the warning light turns off. once i start to drive the seat belt will come off. this has happened approximately 5 times in the last month. …”
2022-05-13 · Unknown Or Other“2012 mitsubishi outlander sport. consumer writes seeking reimbursement for vehicle repairs made related to safety recall. the consumer requested to be reimbursed for recalls 20v-279, c1614z, and sr-18-004rev.…”
2022-04-09 · Suspension“lower control arm wasn't fixed it's detached its self and the belt tensioner wasn't fixed like it said it was fixed and control module needs fixed as well…”
2021-09-16 · Power Train“the transmission prematurely fails and begins to shine and locks up…”
2021-01-03 · Power Train · 5,500 mi“the vehicle stops randomly while driving- usually while going 60 mph and reducing the speed in the express way, it just automatically turns off. it has already happened to me twice.…”
2020-11-02 · Power Train · 160,000 mi“the transmission does not change all the time took it to a transmission shop and said they was a recall in 2014,15 for this problem. and was see if any other 2012 had the samd problem.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.