Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train6
- Engine5
- Vehicle speed control2
- Steering2
- Visibility/wiper2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Suspension1
- Electrical system1
- Air bags1
- Wheels1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 11 2012 Lancer vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 8 people died inside them, and 4 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer failed the safety check 3.63% of the time — 44% more often than the average 2012 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 113,474 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2012
4,417 new Mitsubishi Lancer cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2012; the largest markets were Germany (1,531), Poland (895), Sweden (554).
- Average mass
- 1,432 kg
- Average power
- 99 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 78% · Diesel 20% · LPG 1.8%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
In the Netherlands
196 first registered in 2012 are on Dutch roads; 8% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €20,815.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde100
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af77
- Band onvoldoende profiel65
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld53
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht45
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt45
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)41
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm34
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
20 cars built in 2012 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 16 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
104 of these cars first registered in 2012 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 182,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,090 2012 cars are on the New Zealand register; 4% arrived as used imports, 95% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 4 variants; 0 of 4 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
| 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
| 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB AWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
| 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | 12.1 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- 4 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 8.2–11.6 L/100 km (about 20–29 mpg US), CO₂ 189–267 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.2 | 7.0 | 8.2 |
| Lancer · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.7 | 7.0 | 8.5 |
| Lancer AWD · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.4 | 8.1 | 9.4 |
| Lancer · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.4 | 9.4 | 11.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer.
| 2018588 26 Oct 2018 | Visual System On certain vehicles, water may drain from the windshield cowl area onto the front wiper link ball joint. Over time, this could result in corrosion and/or wear t… |
| 2018052 26 Jan 2018 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the flange of the drive belt automatic tensioner may crack over time due to repetitive high load operations and stress concentration. This … |
| 2016382 29 Jul 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage, a mixture of snow, water and road-salt solution may infiltrate between the front impact sensor a… |
| 2012001 4 Jan 2012 | Lights And Instruments Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. An incorrectly… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mitsubishi told its dealers about the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11006081 | 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 WiFi. |
| 11003536 | 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. |
| 10240446 | This Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections and additional information for the transaxle assembly removal and installation of the roll stopper bracket. |
| 10240443 | This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023. |
| 10235609 | This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue. |
| 10235608 | 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. |
| 10235606 | This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023. |
| 10233997 | This Technical Service Bulletin contains technical information and troubleshooting for the accessory Remote Engine Start system for affected vehicles. |
| 10233994 | This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers and parts managers about possible causes after a customer complains that the engine will not start while using the remote start system. |
| 10231410 | This TSB provides revisions to the Removal and Installation procedures for the rocker cover due to changes in the quantity of mounting bolts for vehicles equipped with 4B1 series engine. (Service Manual Revision) |
| 10211530 | This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part. |
| 10191961 | This Technical Information Notice provides additional instructions to dealers when replacing the Valve Cover Gasket due to a customer concern of oil leaking. |
| 10176674 | This Technical Information Notice revises TIN-20-00-007 informing dealers TK Services has confirmed that pickup service has resumed for dealerships and customer facilities. |
| 10172709 | This TSB updates the Engine section of the affected Service Manuals, to revise the accessory drive belt and tensioner repair and maintenance procedures. |
| 10172523 | This TSB supercedes TSB-09-42A-015, issued October, 2009, to update affected vehicles, add Outlander Sport and add FAST Key case part numbers. Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) integrated key case and FAST Key Transmitter case repair kits are now available. If the plastic parts of the key are broken or missing, but the key functions properly, use the appropriate service parts kit instead of replacing the entire key assembly. When replacing only the key case, it is not necessary to program immobilizer, RKE and OSS functions. For integrated RKE keys, once the electronic components are transferred to th |
| 10170853 | Caution statements regarding the disposal of certain SRS components have been incorrect in the service manuals of affected vehicles. This TSB provides updated caution statements. |
| 10170852 | This Technical Service Bulletin updates the door adjustment procedure in the Body Section of the applicable service manuals. |
| 10170851 | Caution statements regarding the disposal of certain components using coin-type lithium batteries have been incorrect in the service manuals of affected vehicles. This TSB provides updated caution statements. |
| 10170760 | This TSB clarifies the stop light switch installation and adjustment procedure in the affected service manuals. |
| 10170107 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170106 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170104 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170103 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170102 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
| 10170101 | This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)