Model year guide

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 75 on record.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints35
Combined26 mpg
Typical price$12,807

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalls 6

Structure:frame And Members NHTSA Campaign #20V279000 · 18/05/2020

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, …

Fix: 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 beg…

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages NHTSA Campaign #18V103000 · 09/02/2018

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.

Fix: 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.

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments NHTSA Campaign #16V867000 · 02/12/2016

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 penetrati…

Fix: 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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys NHTSA Campaign #18V069000 · 26/01/2018

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.

Fix: 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.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor NHTSA Campaign #16V792000 · 31/10/2016

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.

Fix: 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 rec…

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal NHTSA Campaign #12V001000 · 03/01/2012

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…

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,367

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport worth?

Low
$9,300
Typical price
$12,807
High
$15,200

From 75 comparable 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$11,835
Fuel only$11,835
Per mile$0.16

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · ES
Engines
2.0L

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles on record

Other Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model years

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport?

Based on 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, suspension, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at about 26 mpg combined (24 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport worth?

Comparable 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport listings run roughly $9,300–$15,200, typically around $12,807 (from 75 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.