Is the 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT reliable?

The 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT has 18 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (6 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (3 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL. Contact any Mitsubishi dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT?

The 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT gets 27 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1778. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT is approximately $1,585/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT has 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 42. The most common issue is air bags problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving in freeway 110 when the passenger side airbag loosened and hanged semi-open. i did not notice it until i got home and a friend of mine came with me to pick up my son in school. when she sat in the front passenger seat, she noticed it and pointed it out to me. i just got this vehicle a . There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 7)

AIR BAGS

6 complaints

33%

• I WAS DRIVING IN FREEWAY 110 WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LOOSENED AND HANGED SEMI-OPEN. I DID NOT NOTICE IT UNTIL I GOT HOME AND A FRIEND OF MINE CAME WITH ME TO PICK UP MY SON IN SCHOOL. WHEN SHE SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, SHE NOTICED IT AND POINTED IT OUT TO ME. I JUST GOT THIS VEHICLE A
• MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
• 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 ST

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“I WAS DRIVING IN FREEWAY 110 WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LOOSENED AND HANGED SEMI-OPEN. I DID NOT NOTICE IT UNTIL I GOT HOME AND A FRIEND OF MINE CAME WITH ME TO PICK UP MY SON IN SCHOOL. WHEN SHE SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, SHE NOTICED IT AND POINTED IT OUT TO ME. I JUST GOT THIS VEHICLE A ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT

Based on 15 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 53K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 39K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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)

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS18/05/2020

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 control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,778

Per month

$148

Per mile

14.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based 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.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER SPORT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,585

Full coverage / month

$132

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

-5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1585

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Mitsubishi New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 year powertrain not transferable

These are the terms for a new Mitsubishi. If you're buying a used 2012 OUTLANDER SPORT, 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.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 18 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: I WAS DRIVING IN FREEWAY 110 WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LOOSENED AND HANGED SEMI-OPEN. I DID NOT NOTICE IT UNTIL I GOT HOME AND A FRIEND OF MINE CAME WITH ME TO PICK UP MY SON IN SCHOOL. WHEN SHE SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, SHE NOTICED IT AND POINTED IT OUT TO ME. I JUST GOT THIS VEHICLE A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND OIL LEAKAGE FROM THE FRONT LEFT STRUT, (SHOCK ABSORBER), OR DRIVER SIDE. DEALER ORDERED AND WILL REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY THE LEFT SIDE STRUT BUT REPLACING ONLY ONE SIDE IN A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE WITH 50,638 MILES WILL CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO RESPOND
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)