Representative model. Photo: OSX, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 36
Latest campaign: May 18, 2020

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Visibility	2	Jul 20, 2017	17V461000 16V791000
Structure	1	May 18, 2020	20V279000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Jan 26, 2018	18V069000
Suspension	1	Jun 23, 2016	16V458000
Steering	1	Jun 25, 2014	14V366000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

May 18, 2020Latest campaign


May 18, 202020V279000	Structure: frame and members A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V279000 What's wrong Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use. Risk A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 20V279000 · May 18, 2020
Jan 26, 201818V069000	Engine and engine cooling: engine gasoline If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V069000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 18V069000 · Jan 26, 2018
Jul 20, 201717V461000	Visibility: windshield wiper/washer motor Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V461000 What's wrong Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole. The water may cause internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the possible failure of the motor. Risk Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 17V461000 · Jul 20, 2017
Oct 31, 201616V791000	Visibility: windshield wiper/washer linkages Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V791000 What's wrong Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles manufactured September 8, 2006, to March 29, 2013. In the affected vehicles, water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative. Risk Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Remedy MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rubber boot on the ball joint to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, they will inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, replacing it as necessary. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-009. Campaign NHTSA 16V791000 · Oct 31, 2016
Jun 23, 201616V458000	Suspension: front control arm A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V458000 What's wrong Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use. Risk A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy 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 that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003. Campaign NHTSA 16V458000 · Jun 23, 2016
Jun 25, 201414V366000	Steering: hydraulic power assist hose, piping, and connections A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V366000 What's wrong Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, Mitusbishi is recalling certain 2007-2012 Outlander vehicles that received replacement 6-speed automatic transmissions during servicing. The transmissions in these vehicles have insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the converter housing of the automatic transmission. As a result of the contact, the power steering pressure tube may develop a hole and leak power steering fluid. Risk A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-006. Campaign NHTSA 14V366000 · Jun 25, 2014

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component36

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

36Complaints filed

4Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

2Injuries reported · 1 death

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Injuries
Air bags	8	22	2	2
Power train	7	19	0	0
Engine	5	14	0	0
Suspension	5	14	0	0
Visibility/wiper	5	14	0	0
Electrical system	4	11	0	0
Unknown or other	4	11	1	0
Service brakes	3	8	0	0
Structure	2	6	1	0
Visibility	2	6	0	0
Seats	1	3	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	1	3	0	0
Steering	1	3	1	0
Lane departure	1	3	1	0
Seat belts	1	3	0	0

2 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Electrical system
“My Mitsubishi vehicle has an open recall related to a drive belt issue. Mitsubishi confirmed the recall, but the company have not completed the repair or scheduled an appointment, even after several attempts to contact…”
Filed 10/08/2025 · ODI 11692172
Suspension
“The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, she observed a rubbing noise emanating from underneath the vehicle.”
Filed 08/15/2024 · ODI 11608802
Suspension
“The vehicle has extreme rust and corrosion. Car was service under the manufacturer recall on [XXX] 2020. The subframe crossmember has rusted so bad that it is a safety hazard.”
Filed 04/27/2024 · ODI 11585549

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2012 Mitsubishi Outlander recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander. The most recent, 20V279000 (reported May 18, 2020), concerns structure. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls for?

The largest group is visibility, with 2 campaigns. Others: structure (1), engine and engine cooling (1), suspension (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Air bags is the most-reported component, named in 8 complaints out of 36 filed with NHTSA (22%). Across all complaints, owners reported 4 crashs and 0 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

Check a specific Mitsubishi by VIN

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Recall summary by component6

Safety recalls6

Structure: frame and members

Engine and engine cooling: engine gasoline

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer motor

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer linkages

Suspension: front control arm

Steering: hydraulic power assist hose, piping, and connections