Research · Subcompact Cars
2012 Mitsubishi ImievRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Imiev. Most complaints involve service brakes (8) and electrical system (3). The EPA rates it 112 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Combined MPG
112mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
13
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$700est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 Mitsubishi Imiev as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2014 – Jun 2021
- Service brakes8
- Electrical system3
- Air bags2
- Power train2
- Engine1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Service brakes
8 reports2 crashes
“Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 19V804000 (Service, Brake, Hydraulic), 17V022000 (Air Bags), and 15V594000 (Air Bags) however, the contact stated there was no local dealer in their area to do the recall repairs. When they reached out to the manufacturer, they were informed to find a local authorized dealer, when the contact found an independent mechanic to do the recall repairs, the manufacturer would not authorize the independent mechanic to do the recall repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Electrical system
3 reports
“ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AT HALF CHARGE UNDER LOAD WILL DEACCELERATE FROM 50 TO BELOW 30 MILES AN HOUR. CAUSING DISRUPTIONS IN TRAFFIC AND PEOPLE PASSING YOU. THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO SHUT DOWN WITH THE TURTLE LIGHT.”
Air bags
2 reports1 crash
“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 CONVERSATIONAL. THE I-MIEV WAS TOWED AWAY DUE TO FRONT FENDER DAMAGE IMPEDING THE TIRE. THE DRIVER WAS PRESCRIBED THE BLOOD THINNER WARFIN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER CONTINUED WITH THE DAILY ROUTINE AND WAS REPORTED TO HAVE SHOWN NO EFFECTS OF THE ACCIDENT UNTIL 6 HOURS LATER. AT THAT POINT THE DRIVER COLLAPSED INTO A COMA AND NEVER RECOVERED. THE DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL ER WHERE A CATSCAN SHOWED A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA. THE CAUSE OF DEATH PER THE DEATH CERTIFICATE WAS COMPLICATIONS OF SUBDURAL HEMATOMA; BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO THE HEAD; AND MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS TO NOT RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT OF A VEHICLE WITH AIRBAGS WHILE ON BLOOD THINNER. THE BLUNT FORCE OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE TRAUMA TO THE HEAD LEADING TO THE SUBDURAL HEMATOMA OF THE DRIVER ON WARFIN. HOW OFTEN HAS THIS HAPPENED? WHY ARE THERE NOT ANY WARNINGS…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
- Engines
- Electric motor
- Transmissions
- Automatic (A1)
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Electricity
- EV range
- 62 mi (EPA)
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i-MiEV Auto (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 126 | 99 | 112 | $700 | — |
- 112mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5Mitsubishi i-MiEV 5 HB RWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 3 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 14.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 6749
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tire rotation | 6,000–8,000 mi | 6–12 months | EVs wear tires faster (weight, torque) |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–4 years | Regen braking spares the pads, not the fluid |
| Battery coolant | Per manual | Per manual | Intervals vary widely by maker |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years |
- Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi
6–12 months - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–4 years - Battery coolantPer manual
Per manual - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2012 Imiev questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Imiev have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 31, 2026.
What are the most common 2012 Mitsubishi Imiev problems?
Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (8), electrical system (3), air bags (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2012 Mitsubishi Imiev get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Mitsubishi Imiev at 112 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
How safe is the 2012 Mitsubishi Imiev?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Mitsubishi Imiev 4 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026