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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-MITSUBISHI-OUTLANDERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Mitsubishi
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 36 owner complaints and 6 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander has 36 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 7 complaints, typically surfacing around 53,230 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Mitsubishi Outlander owner complaints by model year
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Outlander?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
6 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★4/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander? 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
airbags — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 53,230 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
powertrain — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 86,480 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
visibility — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 6,915 mi · ~$350 to fix
suspension — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 90,262 mi · ~$900 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
critical on this model
, showing up around 53,230 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — 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 Outlander· seatbelts
The seat belt has started to fail. It sounds like it clicks in and the warning light turns off. Once I start to drive the seat belt will come off. This has happened approximately 5 times in the last month.
Takata recall when driving my vehicle makes a wining sound from the engine in the vehicle when I am driving. Second problem is the my windhield wiper no longer hold water and it is leaking out completely. The windshield wiper worked when purchased and the engine loud wining…
The transmission does not change all the time took it to a transmission shop and said they was a recall in 2014,15 for this problem. And was see if any other 2012 had the samd problem.
While driving the transmission causes the powertrain to stop working making the car impossible to remain in motion. This will happen while driving in traffic. The transmission will howl and squeal right before it no longer works. Was told by Mitsubishi that the CVT transmission…
Had a problem with your 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?
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.
A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.
Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-003.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander 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 Outlander?
The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 6 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 Outlander?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 7 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 53,230 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 Outlander a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 36 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 53,230 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 Outlander?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 7 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 53,230 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 53,230 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mitsubishi Outlander 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 Outlander?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 36 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Mitsubishi/Outlander.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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