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. On my paperwork from the dealership it stated that anti-corrosion aerosol was applied with NOX RUST 712AM. It also stated that the recall passed inspection. How is that possible and it's falling apart. The dealership it was taken to was South Suburban in Matteson, IL. Car is not safe to drive because of possibility of frame coming loose from the body of vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags6
- Engine3
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Suspension2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags6
- Engine3
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Suspension2
- Visibility2
- Transmission1
Recalls 6
Structure: frame and members
- What is 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.
Recall number 20V279000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Outlander Sport 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 rod of the wiper link and the wiper motor crank arm, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 10, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-004.
Recall number 18V103000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
- What is 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.
Recall number 18V069000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to June 1, 2012, and 2016 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured January 11, 2016, to July 8, 2016. The lift gate support outer tube on the affected vehicles may have insufficient anti-corrosion treatment that can allow the outer tube to corrode due to salt and water penetration.
- Risk
- If the outer tube corrodes, there may be a rapid loss of the gas used to provide lift assistance, causing the lift gate to fall suddenly, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lift gate supports, free of charge. The recall began on January 20, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-011.
Recall number 16V867000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured August 26, 2010, to January 5, 2015. 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 manufacturer has begun the recall, but parts are not yet available; a second notice will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-010.
Recall number 16V792000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: turn signal
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi is recalling certain model year 2012 outlander sport vehicles, manufactured from november 9, 2011, through december 16, 2011. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the turn signal levers in the vehicle were not manufactured correctly, which could result in the auto-cancel function of the turn signal becoming inoperative.
- Risk
- The turn signal may continue to signal an intended directional change after a point when the auto-cancel function, if operating properly, would have terminated the signal. A following or oncoming driver may receive inaccurate indications of the vehicle operator's intended maneuvers, thereby increasing the risk of a crash between vehicles due to improper vehicle signaling.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the turn signal lever and replace it with a new one free of charge. No vehicles have been retailed to customers with this potential condition, no recall bulletin or owner letters will be prepared. You may contact mitsubishi at 1‑800‑222‑0037.
Recall number 12V001000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 125
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers
- This Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Hands Free Module software to improve...
- Service Manual Revision
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd...
- This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load...
- This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of...
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd...
- This is a Technical Information Notice informing dealers and parts managers about possible causes after a
- This Technical Service Bulletin contains technical information and troubleshooting for the accessory...
- This Technical Service Bulletin instructs dealers to replace the seat adjuster assembly and power seat...
See all 125 bulletins for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
What 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the battery warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle overheated. An independent mechanic arrived at the scene and informed the contact that the serpentine belt had detached. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred 2 more times. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V069000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated upon looking under the vehicle, the contact noticed that the whole frame and upper panel were completely rusted. The contact was relating the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 16V867000 (Structure). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was confirmed that the recall already had been performed prior to the contact owning the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 mitsubishi outlander sport. The contact stated that while driving about 45 MPH during night, the vehicle hit two pedestrians crossing the road and fatally injured one of the pedestrians. The other passenger was being pushed in a wheelchair and did sustain injuries but did not seek medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. There was no warning indicators. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged and was towed to a tow yard, waiting for the insurance company. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The contact mentioned that the doctor informed her that if she had not went to the hospital her injuries could have been fatal. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
My mitsubishi outlander sport has a keyless start. There is no mechanism that prevents the vehicle accidentally being turned off while still in drive or reverse. On 5/30/19 at approximately 9:20 pm, I made a run to my local rite-aid. I turned of the ignition, but forgot to put it in park. I exited the store after approximately 5 minutes to find my car missing from the parking lot. I initially thought it had been stolen. The police found my vehicle after it had rolled out of the parking lot, into traffic and ended up crashing in a ditch. It had to be hauled out and sustained significant damage and may be a total loss. I can only be grateful that it did not collide into another vehicle,l or hit a pedestrian. This accident could have easily killed someone. There is no logical reason that a safety mechanism should not be a standard requirement in all push button start vehicles to prevent such a tragedy. The car rental I am currently using is a 2019 escalade. I tested the remote start in the escalade and no matter what gear I am in when I shut off the engine, it automatically defaults to park. It can be done and should be required!
Takata recall" when I turned on the car the light of my panel shows "airbag service needed". Stay on the light until I turn off the car. I have this problem since saturday, february 2nd of this current years until present time. I looked on online and I found a lot of complaints with the same issues.
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 vehicle from drive to park amd once it did go it would unlock from park. I was told it was sensors by a mitsubishi dealership but that didnt solve the problem. It revs the engine it high TPMS while driving not lettingnit shift from 1st to 2nd and makes it so you cant get the vehicle off the road because the transmission shuts down. Even in neutral the rpmswill increase when it does this. This is a saftey issue with this engine/transmission if you get stuck in a high traffic area and can not get to a safe pulloff. Ive had my kids in the car when this has happened and the dealerships (all 3 of them) ca not find the problem. I have had to miss work for these appointments and now the warranty is expired as I bought it used and can not afford to replace a transmission or engine and being this is my only vehicle and nothing could be done while it was under warranty and seeing others complaining of the same things with there vehicles it needs to be addressed and corrected. It also smells like rubber or electrical burning when this happens.
I dont find any customer service for my recall for the body piece between the hood and windshield mitsubishi outlander
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 noise just started in september when the windshield stop working. The engine noise is while being driven. The wiper just started leaking it has a hold in the reserver I believe.
The air bag warning light on the dash is on. The car was taken to the dealership and it has been found that the airbag sensor beneath the passenger seat is defective. In order to fix this problem the entire passenger seat needs to be replaced and costs $1700. They are saying it is out of warranty, but this seems to a safety issue.
Compare the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Other model years
2011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, fewer than a typical Outlander Sport model year.
What is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year score?
The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport scores 71 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
Airbags, with 6 complaints, typically around 38,948 miles. Next is engine (3).
How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
6 recalls, covering structure, visibility and engine and engine cooling.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history