Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2012 Mitsubishi OutlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. Most complaints involve air bags (8) and power train (7). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest May 2020
Owner complaints
36
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported May 18, 2020NHTSA 20V279000

Engine and engine cooling: belts and associated pulleys

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jan 26, 2018NHTSA 18V069000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Jul 20, 2017NHTSA 17V461000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

36 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2012 – Oct 2025
  1. Air bags8
  2. Power train7
  3. Engine5
  4. Suspension5
  5. Visibility/wiper5
  6. Electrical system4
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Structure2
  9. Visibility2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Outlander model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003129
200452
200519
200621
2007125
200858
200946
201060
201188
201236
201368
201445
2015238
2016171
201751
201857
201929
202032
2022219
202350
202426
202516
20263
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

8 reports2 crashes
“The car's airbag system service required came on without any incidents to the car. It used to be on and off but now, it is consistently on. The seat detect very lightweight things like a book or a bag and gives the warning of seatbelt not on. The airbag system and the pressure sensor of the passenger seat is faulty. With this warning, airbags will not deploy. I saw multiple incidents with other Mitsubishi Outlander owners who have the same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2024Air bags, SeatsODI 11567379

Power train

7 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, she observed a rubbing noise emanating from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that on one of those occasions, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, while driving over bumps in the roadway the vehicle was not driving smoothly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the drive belt was cracked on the ribs of the belt, the sway bar links, and front and rear CV boots were torn, the tie rod end replacement boots were torn, and the lower front and lower control arms, ball joints, and rear bushings were torn, the motor mount front bushings had started to tear, motor mount was torn, and the shock absorbers needed to be replaced due to rear shocks leaking and that all the listed parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,148.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2024Suspension, Power trainODI 11608802

Engine

5 reports
“My Mitsubishi vehicle has an open recall related to a drive belt issue. Mitsubishi confirmed the recall, but the company have not completed the repair or scheduled an appointment, even after several attempts to contact them. The vehicle has stalled multiple times while driving, including on city roads. When it stalls, the check engine light comes on, and the car loses all power. I have to restart it to keep driving. This is a serious safety risk because it happens suddenly and could lead to an accident. The alternator and battery were both tested and are in good condition, so the problem appears related to the recalled belt or electrical system. The issue was confirmed by an independent mechanic, but Mitsubishi has not provided a repair or timeline. The problem continues and makes the vehicle unsafe to drive, especially in cold or highway conditions.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11692172
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S6) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Outlander 2WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222825$2,500355
Outlander 4WD
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
222724$2,600370
Outlander 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$3,500404
Outlander 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192421$3,700423
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 27 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Mitsubishi Outlander SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 6544Vehicle 6151
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Outlander questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (8), power train (7), engine (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026