2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls and problems

The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has 6 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mitsubishi dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

3 / 0

Injuries / deaths

2 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls

Recall 20V-279: Structure, Suspension

Reported May 18, 2020 · 141,200 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Recall 18V-103: Visibility

Reported Feb 9, 2018 · 158,651 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles. Water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.

Risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.

Recall 18V-069: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Jan 26, 2018 · 141,053 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 for this recall is SR-18-001.

Recall 16V-867: Structure

Reported Dec 2, 2016 · 50,228 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to June 1, 2012, and 2016 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 11, 2016, to July 8, 2016. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetration.

Risk: If the outer tube corrodes, there may be a rapid loss of the gas used to provide lift assistance, causing the lift gate to fall suddenly, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lift gate supports, free of charge. The recall began on January 20, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.

Recall 16V-792: Visibility

Reported Oct 31, 2016 · 93,801 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to January 5, 2015. 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 manufacturer has begun the recall, but parts are not yet available; a second notice will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-010.

Recall 12V-001: Exterior Lighting

Reported Jan 3, 2012 · 21 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Mitsubishi is recalling certain model year 2012 outlander sport vehicles, manufactured from november 9, 2011, through december 16, 2011. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the turn signal levers in the vehicle were not manufactured correctly, which could result in the auto-cancel function of the turn signal becoming inoperative.

Risk: The turn signal may continue to signal an intended directional change after a point when the auto-cancel function, if operating properly, would have terminated the signal. A following or oncoming driver may receive inaccurate indications of the vehicle operator's intended maneuvers, thereby increasing the risk of a crash between vehicles due to improper vehicle signaling.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the turn signal lever and replace it with a new one free of charge. No vehicles have been retailed to customers with this potential condition, no recall bulletin or owner letters will be prepared. You may contact mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	6
Electrical System	2
Suspension	2
Engine	2
Visibility/Wiper	2
Structure	2
Power Train	1
Engine and Engine Cooling	1

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 52,900 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Suspension · reported Apr 27, 2024

The vehicle has extreme rust and corrosion. Car was service under the manufacturer recall on [XXX] 2020. The subframe crossmember has rusted so bad that it is a safety hazard. On my paperwork from the dealership it stated that anti-corrosion aerosol was applied with NOX RUST 712AM. It also stated that the recall passed inspection. How is that possible and it's falling apart. The dealership it was taken to was South Suburban in Matteson, IL. Car is not safe to drive because of possibility of frame coming loose from the body of vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION…

Engine and Engine Cooling · at 102,000 miles · reported May 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the battery warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle overheated. An independent mechanic arrived at the scene and informed the contact that the serpentine belt had detached. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred 2 more times. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V069000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Structure · at 98,000 miles · reported Jul 14, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated upon looking under the vehicle, the contact noticed that the whole frame and upper panel were completely rusted. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 16V867000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was confirmed that the recall already had been performed prior to the contact owning the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Air Bags · at 70,000 miles · reported Jun 13, 2019

The contact owns a 2012 mitsubishi outlander sport. The contact stated that while driving about 45 MPH during night, the vehicle hit two pedestrians crossing the road and fatally injured one of the pedestrians. The other passenger was being pushed in a wheelchair and did sustain injuries but did not seek medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. There was no warning indicators. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged and was towed to a tow yard, waiting for the insurance company. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The contact mentioned that the…

Structure · at 80,000 miles · reported Jun 4, 2019

My mitsubishi outlander sport has a keyless start. There is no mechanism that prevents the vehicle accidentally being turned off while still in drive or reverse. On 5/30/19 at approximately 9:20 PM, I made a run to my local rite-aid. I turned of the ignition, but forgot to put it in park. I exited the store after approximately 5 minutes to find my car missing from the parking lot. I initially thought it had been stolen. The police found my vehicle after it had rolled out of the parking lot, into traffic and ended up crashing in a ditch. It had to be hauled out and sustained significant damage…

Other Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years

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Compare all Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years · All Mitsubishi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 20V-279 (structure, suspension), 18V-103 (visibility), 18V-069 (engine and engine cooling), 16V-867 (structure), 16V-792 (visibility) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Owners report air bags problems most often (6 reports), followed by electrical system (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 52,900 miles.

Are Mitsubishi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mitsubishi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.