Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Belt Tensioner may Break Allowing Belt to Detach
- Summary
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
- Consequence
- If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (19)
19 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 19 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 6 | 31.6% |
| Engine | 5 | 26.3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 10.5% |
| Steering | 2 | 10.5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 10.5% |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 10.5% |
| Air bags | 1 | 5.3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 5.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 5.3% |
| Structure | 1 | 5.3% |
How 2012 compares with other Lancer years
Best and worst Lancer years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 91 | 5 |
| 2009 | 98 | 8 |
| 2010 | 51 | 6 |
| 2011 | 34 | 3 |
| 2012 | 19 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 | 0 |
| 2014 | 16 | 0 |
| 2015 | 23 | 1 |
| 2016 | 30 | 2 |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,400
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 317 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 30 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · AV-S6 CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · Automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Lancer for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 18V069000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?
Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (6), Engine (5), Fuel/propulsion system (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 24 city, 33 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 4 dr fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 4 stars side and 4 stars rollover (12.1% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Lancer compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2017 Mitsubishi Lancer model years at least five years old, the 2013 drew the fewest complaints (5) and the 2009 the most (98). The 2012 drew 19. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.