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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-MITSUBISHI-I-MIEVNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Mitsubishi
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 13 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV has 13 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 26,665 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 i-MiEV?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
brakes — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 26,665 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 26,665 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
brakes (~$450) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 i-MiEV· brakes
2012 Mitsubishi I-miev. Complaint related to second recall of I-miev. *mw the consumer stated at 12,000 miles, the front brake pads disintegrated for no reason. The technician stated the vacuum pump related and the brake pads disintegrating were related. The consumer stated…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi I-miev. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brakes failed to engage and the contact crashed into another vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to the spine which required medical attention. A police report was…
The I-miev was being operated in a shopping center parking lot at an unknown speed when it hit a parked car a and pushed a into parked car b. The driver's airbag in the I-miev deployed. The driver did not appear to be affected by the airbag deployment, according to witnesses,…
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi I-MIEV. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 19V804000 (Service, Brake, Hydraulic), 17V022000 (Air Bags), and 15V594000 (Air Bags) however, the contact stated there was no local dealer in their area to do…
Had a problem with your 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Mitsubishi Motors North America is recalling certain model year 2012 i-MiEV electric vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011, through September 7, 2012
If the vaccum pump system fails, it will reduce available brake power which would result in lengthened stopping distances, which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected vacuum pumps free of charge. The recall began on February 28, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.
Mitsubishi is recalling certain model year 2012 i-MiEV vehicles manufactured between November 4, 2011, and December 22, 2011
The side and curtain air bags may not deploy in a crash for which those air bags were intended to deploy, increasing the risk of personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incompatible air bag sensors with new, compatible units, free of charge. The safety recall began on during August 2012. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 26,665 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 13 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 26,665 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 26,665 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 26,665 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mitsubishi i-MiEV has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 13 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Mitsubishi/i-MiEV.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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