The Lemon IndexAll carsMitsubishiOutlander Sport2012
201120131st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,091 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.
4 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Toyota Venza 132012 Mazda CX-9 2012012 Mitsubishi Outlander
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V279000 (body structure), 18V103000 (visibility) and 18V069000 (engine) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 125 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This is a technical service bulletin, sent to dealers, providing instructions for modifying…”?
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 4 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 →
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 8.9M views · 2011–2025 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
- Gauges, lights & wiring630K views
How to reset oil light: 2011-Present Mitsubishi Outlander SportUncharted Adventures WV · 493K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical345K views
2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport No Crank - Battery Light On - Towed In DiagnosisSouth Main Auto LLC · 128K views · 7 videos - Oil changes & service102K views
How to: Change the Oil on a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (2015)LittleFixersClub · 87K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door45K views
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport A/C Not WorkingAl Young Cuda · 32K views · 2 videos
Show 3 more
- Transmission & shifter43K views
2013 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT | MOTOR MOUNTS & TRANSMISSION MOUNTS REPAIR | Howto/DiyThe PullUpKing 👨🏾🔧 · 24K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank12K views
2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Recall. Alert. Crank no start. Attention! Fuel pump recalls!TS Mobile Mechanic · 12K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x49K views
2011–2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport CV Axle Replacement DIYKevins Mobile Automotive Repair · 9K views
Before you buy, watch
Is the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reliable?Rogan's Rated Car · 46K views
2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport blower motor problemsDriveway Mechanic · 17K views
2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWD Premium Start Up, Exhaust, Test Drive, and In Depth ReviewSaabkyle04 · 401K 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.
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 125 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This is a technical service bulletin, sent to dealers, providing instructions for modifying…
- This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers
- This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers informing them a shock absorber oil leak…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Body structure · recall issued 2020
The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from.
- Visibility · recall issued 2018
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.
- Engine · recall issued 2018
The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
Show all 6 recalls
- Body structure · recall issued 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.
- Visibility · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole.
- Lights · recall issued 2012
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 OUTLANDER SPORT VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 16, 2011.
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 Outlander Sport recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Outlander SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Outlander SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$2,400 (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.
Every Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 8 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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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-outlander-sport/?y=2012" title="Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="422" 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-outlander-sport/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,091 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 4 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (75%), electrical (25%) and suspension (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
6 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport get?
25 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Outlander Sport year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2013 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2018 drew the fewest.
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