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What 19 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (19)Crash / fire / injury (3)Transmission & drivetrain (6)Engine (5)Fuel system (2)Speed control (2)Steering (2)Visibility & wipers (2)Airbags (1)Body & structure (1)Electrical system (1)Engine & cooling (1)

2 of 19 complaints match · Steering · clear filters

Feb 1, 2024SteeringTransmission & drivetrainWheelsCrash

The front subframe(cross member) blew out, due to excessive corrosion. Causing the control arm to dismount as well as separation of the CV axle from the transmission, while traveling down the road losing complete steer of the vehicle. Luckily I was coming to a stop sign and not traveling on the highway. My vehicle was last inspected in April of 2023 with no warning signs of there being an issue. I've recently done some research and gathered information regarding models from 08-10 Mitsubishi lancers having the exact same issue. I contacted my dealer about the issue and they stated there are no current recalls on my year vehicle. Although they also started that the part number on my subframe is the same part number that failed on the 09-10 models. There should be a recall on 2012 Mitsubishi lancer subframe(front cross member) I hope this issue is resolved! I was fortunate to not have been injured! My vehicle has not currently been inspected after the accident because I had it towed back to my house after the accident because I was unsure what to do about the situation. The vehicle is available to be towed to be inspected if need be. A police officer did pass me and checked to make sure I was alright while I was stranded in the middle of the road while waiting for a tow truck.

NHTSA ODI 11569336

Sep 23, 2013Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, A SQUEAKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

NHTSA ODI 10544934

Working with the data? Download all 19 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer verdict →