2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV has 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 20. The most common issue is brakes problems (45% of all complaints), specifically: the i-miev was being operated in a shopping center parking lot at an unknown speed when it hit a parked car a and pushed a into parked car b. the driver's airbag in the i-miev deployed. the driver did not appear to be affected by the airbag deployment, according to witnesses, and was cogent and co. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.
20
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
BRAKES
9 complaints- • THE I-MIEV WAS BEING OPERATED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN IT HIT A PARKED CAR A AND PUSHED A INTO PARKED CAR B. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN THE I-MIEV DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, AND WAS COGENT AND CO
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SPINE WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DE
- • 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. COMPLAINT RELATED TO SECOND RECALL OF I-MIEV. *MW THE CONSUMER STATED AT 12,000 MILES, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS DISINTEGRATED FOR NO REASON. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VACUUM PUMP RELATED AND THE BRAKE PADS DISINTEGRATING WERE RELATED. THE CONSUMER STATED MITSUBISHI WOULD NOT
“THE I-MIEV WAS BEING OPERATED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN IT HIT A PARKED CAR A AND PUSHED A INTO PARKED CAR B. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN THE I-MIEV DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, AND WAS COGENT AND CO”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV
Based on 13 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 42K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (6)
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2012-2017 i-MiEV vehicles. Water may penetrate the brake assist vacuum pump, causing corrosion and a failure of the brake vacuum pump.
Risk: Without the brake vacuum pump, the driver will experience a sudden loss of braking assist, lengthening the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-19-002.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Mitsubishi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
10 year powertrain not transferable
These are the terms for a new Mitsubishi. If you're buying a used 2012 I-MIEV, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mitsubishi dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 20 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐BRAKES: THE I-MIEV WAS BEING OPERATED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN IT HIT A PARKED CAR A AND PUSHED A INTO PARKED CAR B. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN THE I-MIEV DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, AND WAS COGENT AND CO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI I-MIEV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL WHICH NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: THE I-MIEV WAS BEING OPERATED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN IT HIT A PARKED CAR A AND PUSHED A INTO PARKED CAR B. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IN THE I-MIEV DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED BY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, AND WAS COGENT AND CO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: ON 11/20/18, WE TOOK OUR 2012 I-MIEV INTO THE ROGER BEASLEY MITSUBISHI AT 1120 SHELBY LN, AUSTIN, 78745 AFTER THE CAR RAPIDLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON AT LEAST 2 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME HE WAS DRIVING 65 MPH AND THE CAR SLOWED TO ABOUT 15 MPH. THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE WAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Mitsubishi dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mitsubishi I-MIEV — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 20
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 3
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 20
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV