The Lemon Index
201120138th generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 16,426 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 8 complaints in its first 3 years.
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Honda Civic 572012 Toyota Corolla 202012 Hyundai Elantra 81
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 18V069000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 106 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “If lower quality fuel is used, vehicles would have engine stalling or rough idle condition at low”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 8 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 24K miles (6K to 40K km) on the car (8 of all 8 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 37.4M views · 2008–2017 Mitsubishi Lancer
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring708K views
Mitsubishi Lancer 2007-2017 service light resetAutoMotiv8ed · 550K views · 3 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors284K views
Mitsubishi Lancer - EGR Repair & Cleaning - 2007-2015MINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 107K views · 5 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical260K views
2008-2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Starter Motor Replacement (How to DIY)Valley Mobile Automotive · 93K views · 4 videos - Transmission & shifter253K views
ACT Clutch Install: 2008 - 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L and 2009 - 2017 Lancer 2.4LAdvanced Clutch · 133K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system137K views
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Mitsubishi No start Issue 2009 Lancer Won't Crank...Clicks...Fixed...Peter L · 77K views - Brakes & ABS45K views
2013 Mitsubishi lancer ES brake shoes replacementSalgadation Jr · 45K views - Fuel pump, filter & tank41K views
Change Fuel Filter / Fuel Pump - Mitsubishi Lancer 2007-2015 / Proton Inspira.MYAutoDIY · 41K views
Before you buy, watch
Is the 2013 Lancer CVT any good? Positives and chronic problems.Carros do Xenão · 239K views
Top 5 Problems Mitsubishi Lancer Sedan 2008-2017 2nd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 107K views
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS CVT Hill Climb ProblemsDuffmasterFresh · 60K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2012 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 106 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If lower quality fuel is used, vehicles would have engine stalling or rough idle condition at low
- This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers
- This is a Technical Service Bulletin that was sent to dealers
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Engine · recall issued 2018
The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mitsubishi Lancer recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Lancer 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,150–$3,950 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Lancer year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 4 older years (2002–2007, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 9 Mitsubishi Lancer years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-lancer/?y=2012" title="Mitsubishi Lancer reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-lancer/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Mitsubishi Lancer reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
We can't score it: only 16,426 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (38%), fuel system (12%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
1 safety recall (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
19 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer cost in fuel a year?
About $2,150 to $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Lancer year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works