Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 19 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
El carro cuando va subiendo cuesta largas no accelera se queda sin fuerza y dice que baje la velocidad si el solo lo baja y no permite acceleral y el motor tiene un ruido queno es normal ni lo hacia antes
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and making a turn, a squeaking noise emitted from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer six times for the same malfunction. The technician was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that when the accelerator was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and stalled with no warnings. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the mechanic stated that the central computer needed to be replaced.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi lancer. While driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, there was a hesitation before the vehicle responded. The vehicle did not stall. Additionally, there was a rattling sound underneath the vehicle in…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 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 Lancer?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 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 8.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 5 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,839 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 80,839 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mitsubishi Lancer 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 Lancer?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 19 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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.