Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle sections of the applicable Service Manuals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Mitsubishi Outlander powertrain problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 6 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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 powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin updates the Automatic Transmission section of the affected Service Manual, to correct information in the diagnosis data list reference table for automatic transmissions F6AJA and W6AJA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 was not built for long distance driving, towing(even though it is offered with a towing package), mountainous driving or…
The transmission prematurely fails and begins to shine and locks up
Following I just sent to Mitsubishi headquarters I see recalls for transmissions for my make and model and year that states transmission fail prematurely between the miles of 114,000! And 179,000 and mine did at 137,000 it is now stating for 4 model years 2 of which are 2011&2013. What was the difference for 2012 transmission when yes indeed my year of 2012 transmission failed prematurely?…
Transmission/engine makes a high pitched whining noise when accelerating above 2000 rpms currently. It started out only doing it when going up hill at higher rpms but has gotten worse. It has also affected the electrical system and had the locks, backup camera, reverse lights all going haywire. This was witnessed by my oil shop while getting an oil change on it the mechanic couldnt get the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?
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 powertrain problem on the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 86,480 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
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/Outlander.
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.