ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and visibility categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 88 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 2013 | 2 | 3 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 4 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 5 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 6 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 7 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 8 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 9 |
| Sep 2019 | 1 | 10 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 | 11 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 12 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 13 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 14 |
| Jun 2021 | 2 | 16 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 17 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 18 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 19 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Powertrain (other)624.0%
- Engine624.0%
- Visibility28.0%
- Driver assistance28.0%
- Fuel system28.0%
- Steering28.0%
- Other / unspecified14.0%
- Body & structure14.0%
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.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11569336
- Incident
- Jan 12, 2024
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11512320
- Incident
- Mar 16, 2023
- Mileage
- 65,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11432087
- Incident
- Apr 13, 2021
NHTSA safety report 06/2021 — while driving approximately 45-50 mph, the ABS warning light and traction control light suddenly came on the display so I reduced speed and had planned to proceed to the next service station which was approximately 1.5 miles away. However, when I was approximately 1/2 mile from the station the engine stalled, the vehicle slightly jerked, and the the engine died. At this point, I shifted into neutral and cruised a couple hundred feet to a safe pull-off point. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the battery was completely dead and would not hold a charge when jumped. This prompted me to check the alternator where I noticed the loose belt and broken tensioner which I had repaired at my own expense the following day.
- NHTSA ID
- 11422594
- Incident
- Jun 18, 2021
Approximately May, 2020, prior to getting the vehicle inspected, code P0420 indicated a faulty catalytic converters. At this time, the vehicle had an estimated 170,000 miles on it so I replaced the catalytic converter, not thinking much of it. The we’re not further issues for about a year until June, 2021, when, once again, the computer started reading a P0420 code. Having only 30,000 - 40,000 miles, on it, and seeing no leaks in the exhaust or anything else that should cause a catalytic converter to go bad prematurely, there is clearly something else causing this issue.
- NHTSA ID
- 11422587
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE MADE A SHARP RIGHT TURN AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11402623
- Incident
- Mar 6, 2021
- Mileage
- 123,000 mi
THE AYC/ACD PUMP FAILURE
- NHTSA ID
- 11388508
- Incident
- Jan 5, 2021
- Mileage
- 55,000 mi
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I WENT TO ACCELERATE TO KEEP UP WITH MY TRAFFIC AND MY CAR WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATION. WHILE STILL DRIVING I WENT TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY, TOOK AN EXIT AND AFTER STOPPING AT STOP SIGN WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE GAS TO GO THE CAR DIDN'T RESPOND TO GO BUT THEN JERKED AND ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY. THERE'S WAS A RECALL ON THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS FOR LANCERS BUT YEARS 14-16 FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT BECAUSE MY CAR DOESN'T FALL INTO THAT RECALL MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THIS ISSUES IS ONLY GETTING WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH CAUSES AN TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING ALERT WITHIN 10-15 MINS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALONG WITH SLOW ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALSO STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE RIGHT AWAY. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 11328332
- Incident
- May 5, 2020
- Mileage
- 141,552 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEAT BELTS
Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
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.
POWER TRAIN
Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle sections of the applicable Service Manuals.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.