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2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV brakes problems
severe
Owners of the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$450
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 6 brakes complaints filed for the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
2 (50%)
25-50k
2 (50%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service BulletinTT201Oct 2013
This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Certain brake vacuum pumps equipped on 2012 i-MiEV vehicles built between December 2, 2011 - September 7, 2012 may become inoperable due to failure of an internal component. If the vacuum pump becomes inoperable, the brake warning light will illuminate and the brake warning buzzer will alert the vehicle operator. Vacuum pump inoperability will result in reduced brake power assist, which may increase stopping distances and could lead to greater risk of crash. Please reference Safety Recall Bulletin SR-13-001 for remediation.
This is a Parts Bulletin sent to dealers to inform them that i-MiEV dealers will automatically receive an initial quantity of parts to complete the recall of in-stock dealer units.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
6 most recent
brakes
· filed 12/30/2014
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 Mitsubishi would not pay to have the vehicle shipped honolulu from hawaii island. Mitsubishi stated the brakes were not…
brakes · 22,000 mi
· filed 11/10/2014
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 filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received a notification for…
brakes · 22,141 mi
· filed 03/18/2019
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi I-miev. After the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14v522000 (service brakes, hydraulic), the brake pressure began losing power. In addition, the brake indicator illuminated intermittently. The contact called sims Mitsubishi (2908 medina rd, medina, oh 44256, (330) 722-8000) and was informed to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The…
brakes · 36,000 mi
· filed 03/13/2018
Brake vacuum pump has failed there have been 2 previous recalls relating to this vacuum pump. My pump has been replaced once under the first recall. It was not replaced under the second recall (NHTSA id: 14v522), during which "dealers will either reprogram the brake vacuum pump controller, replace the brake vacuum pump or do both, free of charge." Mitsubishi considers their…
brakes
· filed 02/04/2020
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi I-miev. The contact stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19v804000 (brake assist vacuum pump). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to oakland Kia Mitsubishi, 2424 webster street, oakland, ca 94612 where the mechanic confirmed that the parts would…
brakes · 26,517 mi
· filed 01/21/2019
Brakes suddenly became very difficult to operate. The problem was the brake vacuum pump. The dealer reported to me that the brake vacuum pump has been replaced in 2013 as a safety recall. Apparently the replacement pump does not fix the problem. The replacement brake vacuum pump replacement is not durable. I was charged $1,300 to have it replaced. The brake vacuum pump had seized internally.
Had brakes trouble with your 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 26,665 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Mitsubishi/i-MiEV.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.