2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (5) · Visibility/Wiper (2) · Suspension (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:linkages 2018-02-09 · campaign 18V103000 · 158,651 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport 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 rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.
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.
Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate:hinge And Attachments 2016-12-02 · campaign 16V867000 · 50,228 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to June 1, 2012, and 2016 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 11, 2016, to July 8, 2016. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetration.
Risk: If the outer tube corrodes, there may be a rapid loss of the gas used to provide lift assistance, causing the lift gate to fall suddenly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lift gate supports, free of charge. The recall began on January 20, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor 2016-10-31 · campaign 16V792000 · 93,801 vehicles
Defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to January 5, 2015. 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 manufacturer has begun the recall, but parts are not yet available; a second notice will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-010.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal 2012-01-03 · campaign 12V001000 · 21 vehicles
Defect: MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 OUTLANDER SPORT VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 16, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE TURN SIGNAL LEVERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE NOT MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE AUTO-CANCEL FUNCTION OF THE TURN SIGNAL BECOMING INOPERATIVE.
Risk: THE TURN SIGNAL MAY CONTINUE TO SIGNAL AN INTENDED DIRECTIONAL CHANGE AFTER A POINT WHEN THE AUTO-CANCEL FUNCTION, IF OPERATING PROPERLY, WOULD HAVE TERMINATED THE SIGNAL. A FOLLOWING OR ONCOMING DRIVER MAY RECEIVE INACCURATE INDICATIONS OF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR'S INTENDED MANEUVERS, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH BETWEEN VEHICLES DUE TO IMPROPER VEHICLE SIGNALING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. NO VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RETAILED TO CUSTOMERS WITH THIS POTENTIAL CONDITION, NO RECALL BULLETIN OR OWNER LETTERS WILL BE PREPARED. YOU MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
Service bulletins (125)
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.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-08-07 · TECH TALK 281 · 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.
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 125 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-04-27 · Suspension“the vehicle has extreme rust and corrosion. car was service under the manufacturer recall on [xxx] 2020. the subframe crossmember has rusted so bad that it is a safety hazard. on my paperwork from the dealership it stated that anti-corrosion aerosol was applied with nox rust 712am. it also stated that the recall passed inspection. how is that …”
2023-05-18 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 102,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the battery warning light illuminated. additionally, the vehicle overheated. an independent mechanic arrived at the scene and informed the contact that the serpentine belt had detached. the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure re…”
2021-07-14 · Structure · 98,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated upon looking under the vehicle, the contact noticed that the whole frame and upper panel were completely rusted. the contact was relating the failure to nhtsa campaign number: 16v867000 (structure). the vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was confirmed that the recall a…”
2019-06-13 · Air Bags · 70,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2012 mitsubishi outlander sport. the contact stated that while driving about 45 mph during night, the vehicle hit two pedestrians crossing the road and fatally injured one of the pedestrians. the other passenger was being pushed in a wheelchair and did sustain injuries but did not seek medical attention. the air bags did not …”
2019-06-04 · Structure:body · 80,000 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
2019-02-05 · Air Bags“takata recall" when i turned on the car the light of my panel shows "airbag service needed". stay on the light until i turn off the car. i have this problem since saturday, february 2nd of this current years until present time. i looked on online and i found a lot of complaints with the same issues.…”
2017-06-19 · Power Train · 52,900 mi“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…”
2017-02-23 · Visibility/Wiper“i dont find any customer service for my recall for the body piece between the hood and windshield mitsubishi outlander…”
2016-11-11 · Visibility/Wiper · 48,000 mi“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 e…”
2016-05-27 · Air Bags · 86,000 mi“the air bag warning light on the dash is on. the car was taken to the dealership and it has been found that the airbag sensor beneath the passenger seat is defective. in order to fix this problem the entire passenger seat needs to be replaced and costs $1700. they are saying it is out of warranty, but this seems to a safety issue.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.