2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER has 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 62. The most common issue is transmission problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: 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. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.
34
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
0.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
6 complaints- • 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
- • WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE POWERTRAIN TO STOP WORKING MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO REMAIN IN MOTION. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION WILL HOWL AND SQUEAL RIGHT BEFORE IT NO LONGER WORKS. WAS TOLD BY MITSUBISHI THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS NOT BUILT FOR LON
- • 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.
“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”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER
Based on 17 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 100K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.
TRANSMISSION
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 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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER
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.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER
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 OUTLANDER, 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 34 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐VISIBILITY: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: TRANSMISSION IS FAILING TO CHANGE GEARS. THE CAR WON'T SHIFT THROUGH 3RD GEAR. WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE GOING65 WHEN IT HAPPENED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐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.
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 OUTLANDER — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 34
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 62
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Mitsubishi OUTLANDER