2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
26
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
5
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER
The 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER has received a total of 26 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS. 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (6 complaints), Engine (5 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER, potentially affecting up to 141,053 vehicles.
Recall 18V069000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
| 141,053 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER
26 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Members | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The front subframe(cross member) blew out, due to excessive corrosion. Causing the control arm to dismount as well as separation of the CV axle from the transmission, while traveling down the road losing complete steer of the vehicle. Luckily I was coming to a stop sign and not traveling on the highway. My vehicle was last inspected in April of 2023 with no warning signs of there being an issue. I've recently done some research and gathered information regarding models from 08-10 Mitsubishi lancers having the exact same issue. I contacted my dealer about the issue and they stated there are no current recalls on my year vehicle. Although they also started that the part number on my subframe is the same part number that failed on the 09-10 models. There should be a recall on 2012 Mitsubishi lancer subframe(front cross member) I hope this issue is resolved! I was fortunate to not have been injured! My vehicle has not currently been inspected after the accident because I had it towed back to my house after the accident because I was unsure what to do about the situation. The vehicle is available to be towed to be inspected if need be. A police officer did pass me and checked to make sure I was alright while I was stranded in the middle of the road while waiting for a tow truck.
The front subframe(cross member) blew out, due to excessive corrosion. Causing the control arm to dismount as well as separation of the CV axle from the transmission, while traveling down the road losing complete steer of the vehicle. Luckily I was coming to a stop sign and not traveling on the highway. My vehicle was last inspected in April of 2023 with no warning signs of there being an issue. I've recently done some research and gathered information regarding models from 08-10 Mitsubishi lancers having the exact same issue. I contacted my dealer about the issue and they stated there are no current recalls on my year vehicle. Although they also started that the part number on my subframe is the same part number that failed on the 09-10 models. There should be a recall on 2012 Mitsubishi lancer subframe(front cross member) I hope this issue is resolved! I was fortunate to not have been injured! My vehicle has not currently been inspected after the accident because I had it towed back to my house after the accident because I was unsure what to do about the situation. The vehicle is available to be towed to be inspected if need be. A police officer did pass me and checked to make sure I was alright while I was stranded in the middle of the road while waiting for a tow truck.
The front subframe(cross member) blew out, due to excessive corrosion. Causing the control arm to dismount as well as separation of the CV axle from the transmission, while traveling down the road losing complete steer of the vehicle. Luckily I was coming to a stop sign and not traveling on the highway. My vehicle was last inspected in April of 2023 with no warning signs of there being an issue. I've recently done some research and gathered information regarding models from 08-10 Mitsubishi lancers having the exact same issue. I contacted my dealer about the issue and they stated there are no current recalls on my year vehicle. Although they also started that the part number on my subframe is the same part number that failed on the 09-10 models. There should be a recall on 2012 Mitsubishi lancer subframe(front cross member) I hope this issue is resolved! I was fortunate to not have been injured! My vehicle has not currently been inspected after the accident because I had it towed back to my house after the accident because I was unsure what to do about the situation. The vehicle is available to be towed to be inspected if need be. A police officer did pass me and checked to make sure I was alright while I was stranded in the middle of the road while waiting for a tow truck.
The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, and he was informed that the sub frame was rusted. The contact was informed that there was a huge hole in the sub frame. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
I own a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer and I have been experiencing issues with the engine. The check engine light comes on constantly then disappears for about 2 weeks and then comes back soon after. This has been a ongoing thing since i got the car a few months ago. Also, my battery light will come on (with noise and notice) then quickly turn off and not come back on. This happens on and off also. I did some research and I believe it is a belt issue.
Safety Rating for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER
The 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TSB-23-22-001 — POWER TRAIN
This Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections and additional information for the transaxle assembly removal and installation of the roll stopper bracket.
TSB-19-15-001 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This Bulletin updates the Intake and Exhaust section of the affected Service Manuals, to correct the exhaust manifold and turbocharger assembly removal and installation procedure.
TSB1952B005 — SEAT BELTS
This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin updates the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) section of the affected Service Manuals to update diagnostics for ETACS-ECU CAN timeout diagnostics with DTC U0141.
TSB-17-14-001 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THIS IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, SENT TO DEALERS, PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODIFYING THE WIRING HARNESS AND REPLACING THE RADIATOR AND/OR CONDENSER FAN MOTOR AND CONNECTORS, IN CASES WHERE AN INOPERATIVE FAN MAY BE CAUSED BY A MELTED CONNECTOR AT THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR AND/OR CONDENSER FAN MOTOR.
TSB-14-13-002 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
MITSUBISHI: IF LOWER QUALITY FUEL IS USED, VEHICLES WOULD HAVE ENGINE STALLING OR ROUGH IDLE CONDITION AT LOW SPEEDS, PRIOR TO STOPPING OR STARTING, AND IS OPERATED, WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON, IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. AFFECTS PUERTO RICO ONLY. MODEL 2011-2013 OUTLANDER SPORT, 2011-2014 LANCER, LANCER SPORTBACK. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MITSUBISHI LANCER
- 2007 MITSUBISHI LANCER — 3 complaints
- 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER — 126 complaints
- 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER — 139 complaints
- 2010 MITSUBISHI LANCER — 66 complaints
- 2011 MITSUBISHI LANCER — 51 complaints
- 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER (current)
- 2013 MITSUBISHI LANCER — 9 complaints
- 2014 MITSUBISHI LANCER — 23 complaints
- 2015 MITSUBISHI LANCER — 36 complaints
- 2016 MITSUBISHI LANCER — 38 complaints
- 2017 MITSUBISHI LANCER — 7 complaints
Other MITSUBISHI Models
- MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE — 2,784 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI GALANT — 2,429 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER — 1,776 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI MONTERO — 989 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI MIRAGE — 940 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT — 708 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE — 657 total complaints
- MITSUBISHI 3000GT — 535 total complaints