Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin Index / 2012-MITSUBISHI-LANCER / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer owner complaints

19 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 3 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 5 complaints shown

5 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
09/18/2013 ODI #10544227.0

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. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100. The approximate current mileage was 28,000.

09/09/2019 80,839 mi ODI #11254213.0

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 close proximity to the engine. The vehicle was taken to expressway Mitsubishi (located at 5511 e indiana st, evansville, in 47715, (866)437-9750) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,839.

09/08/2021 ODI #11432087.0

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.

06/28/2021 ODI #11422587.0

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.

06/28/2021 ODI #11422594.0

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.

powertrain 4 complaints shown

5 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
11/12/2018 80,000 mi ODI #11151089.0

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

06/16/2016 28,000 mi Crash ODI #10874522.0

Received vehicle at 10km, after 2 oil changes, at 16000km miliege dropped from 700km on a tank of gas to 300km tank of gas. At 24000km heavy transmission and engine noises occurred. Gears slipping out while accelerating causing rpms to shoot up to 6000-7000 while vehicle not moving. Timing belt and pulleys not working properly causing to much engine noise. Metal grinding and whistling sound coming from under carriage of vehicle. Rear differential and cv joint problem. Reported problem to dealership and techincians each time I go in. Their response is its just tire noise and your vehicle is running smoothly each time. Now at 68,000 km, rear differential is gone, engine barely holding up, suspension on driver side is is lower than passenger side. Wheel bearing noises present. 4x4 awc system

06/11/2020 141,552 mi ODI #11328332.0

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 c

04/27/2020 60,000 mi ODI #11322465.0

Sst transmission will shift out of gear while driving like it in neutral. Then when you pull over only way to get it shifting gears is to turn car off wait 10 sec and turn back on . Then drives normal again. Been driving like this for two years car has 60000 miles

steering 2 complaints shown

09/23/2013 4,000 mi ODI #10544934.0

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 unable to locate or duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.

02/01/2024 Crash ODI #11569336.0

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

visibility 2 complaints shown

08/29/2018 26,000 mi ODI #11123354.0

The wiper motor will fail randomly, the blade will just stop moving. When the wiper is turned off and then back on, it will start working again but then fail again. This occurs when the car is stationary or moving. There is a recent recall for the 2011-2015 Mitsubishi outlander sport model (recall number 16v792000) with "internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the possible failure of the motor." which has the same wiper components as the lancer model.

01/12/2019 28,500 mi ODI #11166633.0

Window wiper will fail in middle swipe. When turned off and back on, it may start again however it sometimes gets stuck in the middle of the wiping motion. Outlander sport from year 2011-2016 had a current recall for wiper linkage corrosion (784902762095). The Mitsubishi outlander sport model and the lancer model share many common parts.

other 1 complaint shown

08/29/2013 24,830 mi ODI #10537886.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly ran out of gasoline fuel. The contact was unaware of the low fuel in the vehicle due to the fuel gauge reading three quarters of a tank full. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test, which confirmed that the fuel sensor was defective. The dealer replaced the fuel sensor but the repair did not remedy the problem. The contact stated the fuel sensor was replaced twice. None of the repairs remedied the defective fuel gauge failure. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 24,830.

cruise control 1 complaint shown

08/05/2014 24,000 mi ODI #10619075.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi lancer. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently when the contact removed her foot from the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.

body 1 complaint shown

03/17/2023 65,000 mi ODI #11512320.0

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.

suspension 1 complaint shown

03/12/2021 123,000 mi ODI #11402623.0

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.

airbags 1 complaint shown

01/30/2018 86,000 mi Crash ODI #11065933.0

Another driver ran a stop sign, I hit their vechile head on. My airbags did not deploy.

Showing 300 of 19 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Mitsubishi/Lancer#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
Get a free warranty quote →
Sponsored — we earn a commission if you complete a quote. Disclosure.