Model year
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 19 complaints for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 8 complaints under LANCER EVOLUTION, LANCER RALLIART, LANCER SPORTBACK, and LANCER SPORTSBACK. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (6), ENGINE (5), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2). NHTSA rated 4 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 19–28 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,400–$4,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2002 148 complaints
- 2003 199 complaints
- 2004 80 complaints
- 2005 24 complaints
- 2006 37 complaints
- 2007 2 complaints
- 2008 91 complaints
- 2009 98 complaints
- 2010 51 complaints
- 2011 34 complaints
- 2012 19 complaints
- 2013 5 complaints
- 2014 16 complaints
- 2015 23 complaints
- 2016 30 complaints
- 2017 6 complaints
Recalls
18V069000 · Jan 26, 2018
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
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…
Complaints
19 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 0, injury field 1, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| LANCER EVOLUTION | 1 | 3 |
| LANCER RALLIART | 0 | 4 |
| LANCER SPORTBACK | 1 | 0 |
| LANCER SPORTSBACK | 0 | 1 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR AWD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.121 | NHTSA photo |
| 4 DR FWD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.121 | NHTSA photo |
| Evolution 4 DR AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| Sportback 5 HB AWD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.121 | — |
| Sportback 5 HB FWD | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.121 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancer · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Lancer · 2L · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 33 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Lancer · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 30 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Lancer · 2.4L · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 23 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Lancer · 2L · Automatic (AM6) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Lancer AWD · 2.4L · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 28 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
| Lancer Evolution · 2L · Manual 5-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Lancer Evolution · 2L · Automatic (AM6) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Lancer Sportback · 2L · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 32 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Lancer Sportback · 2.4L · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 22 | 28 | 25 | — | — | $2,700 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.