RoadVitals

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Apr 8, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 19, 2013
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), driver assistance and interior & seats categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 76 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)250.0%
  • Driver assistance125.0%
  • Interior & seats125.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
13V446000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Sep 19, 2013
10,474 units potentially affected
The defect: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.
The risk: Failure of the clutch master cylinder reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-13-009View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Interior & seats
Filed Apr 8, 2016

THE DRIVER'S SEAT SIDE LEG BOLSTER BROKE. UPON REMOVING THE SEAT FROM THE VEHICLE IT WAS FOUND THAT METAL HAD BROKEN WHICH ALLOWED THE BOLSTER TO BREAK. SEEMS DANGEROUS TO ME CONSIDERING THE CARS CAPABILITIES AND THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN AFFECT THE DRIVER IN A TURN.

NHTSA ID
10854498
Incident
Oct 23, 2014
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 25, 2014

2012 EVO X GSR - FROM JBA MITSUBISHI (GLEN BURNIE, MD). AT 31,651 MILES - I WAS IN A FAST-FOOD DRIVE THRU LINE ORDERING BREAKFAST. THAT IS, 0MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEAR A CHIME AND SEE MY INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASH. MY DRIVING-MODE/STATUS LIGHT (WHICH SHOWS TARMAC/SNOW/GRAVEL) HAD TURNED OFF. ANOTHER LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SAYING '4WD SERVICE REQUIRED'. MY EVO IS 100% BONE STOCK, NO MODS/TUNE. I CALL AROUND AND DO SOME RESEARCH. I CHECK MY FLUIDS, TIRES (ALL 4, BRAND NEW, PROPERLY BALANCED), ETC. A LITTLE WHILE LATER, I DISCOVER THAT IT IS MY AYC PUMP. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH EVO'S AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. LUCKILY, MINE WENT OUT JUST BEFORE WARRANTY. OTHERWISE, IT'D COST BETWEEN $2500-$3K TO FIX ON MY OWN DIME. I LIVE IN MD - WE GET SNOW EVERY SINGLE YEAR. APPARENTLY, THE SALT AND WEATHER CHANGES CAN CAUSE CORROSION AND DAMAGE TO THE PUMP. MITSUBISHI OFFERS A REPLACEMENT (WITH 1YR, 12K MILE WARRANTY). BUT I'VE SEEN FOLKS IN CANADA WHO BURN THRU 3-4 PUMPS A YEAR. MEANING JUST BECAUSE OF THIS 1 PART, AN EVO IS A TERRIBLE CAR TO HAVE IN COLD-WEATHER STATES. MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART - OR OFFER TO REPAIR FREE WHENEVER THE PUMP GOES OUT. EVEN WITH PROPER PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE - I DO NOT WANT TO PAY $2500+ EVERY TIME THE PUMP GOES OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10616432
Incident
Jul 24, 2014
Mileage
31,650 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 1, 2013

THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT. FROM STOP TO ABOUT 40 MPH, THE SHIFTING FEELS LIKE DOESN'T WANT TO GO INTO GEAR. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. THE CAR SEEMS TO SHIFT A LOT BETTER AT HIGHER RPMS; PROBABLY DUE TO LESS OF A SYNCHRONIZATION PROBLEM. MISS SHIFTS CAUSE DELAY IN ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10550510
Incident
Aug 1, 2012
Mileage
500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB-16-54-001REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Hands Free Module software to improve the Bluetooth connection when certain devices are connected to Wi‐Fi.

TSB-24-27-001

POWER TRAIN

Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides the replacement procedure for the Differential Mount Bracket Bush of the Rear Axle Differential Carrier Assembly in the applicable Service Manual sections.

DEALER LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

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-23-00-001

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs.

TSB-23-00-004

STRUCTURE

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2015321—
2014621—
2013411—
2012Viewing310—
2011113039.4
2010285045.8
2009250—
2008364042.8
2007010—
2006242038.6
2005142047.7
2004010—
2003982043.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.