The 2012 Outlander is a budget crossover with decent bones but notorious for catastrophic CVT failures and surprisingly common internal engine damage on the 2.4L and 3.0L engines. The frequency of rebuild-level repairs makes this a high-risk used purchase.
Symptoms: Shuddering or juddering during acceleration, especially from stops, Whining or grinding noises from transmission, Transmission overheating warnings on dash, Sudden loss of forward movement or slipping between gear ratios, Metal debris in transmission fluid during service
Fix: CVT replacement is the only real fix once internal damage begins. Remanufactured units run 12-16 hours labor plus unit cost. Transmission oil cooler often needs replacement simultaneously as contaminated coolant can contribute to failure. Fluid changes every 30k might delay but won't prevent this.
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Metallic knocking or ticking that worsens with RPM, Low compression on cylinder tests, Check engine light with misfire codes (P0300 series)
Fix: Most common on 2.4L engines, related to piston ring wear and bearing clearances. Requires full engine rebuild (pistons, rings, bearings, machine work) at 35-45 hours labor, or short block replacement at 25-30 hours. Head gaskets typically done while apart. Used engine swaps are cheaper but risky given platform-wide issue.
Estimated cost: $5,500-9,500
Timing Belt and Water Pump Failure (V6 Only)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Squealing from front of engine, Engine coolant leaks near timing cover, Engine overheating, Catastrophic engine failure if belt breaks (interference engine)
Fix: Mitsubishi spec calls for 105k replacement but many fail earlier. Always replace water pump, tensioner, idler pulleys, and crankshaft seal simultaneously. This is an interference engine—belt failure means bent valves minimum. Labor is 5-6 hours for preventive service, double that if valves are damaged.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 preventive; $2,500-4,000 after failure
Power Steering Hose Leaks and Pump Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Power steering fluid puddles under vehicle, Whining noise when turning steering wheel, Heavy steering effort, especially at low speeds, Burning smell from leaked fluid hitting exhaust
Fix: High-pressure hose from pump to rack develops leaks at crimped fittings. Rack seals also prone to failure. If caught early, hose replacement is 1.5-2 hours. Pump replacement adds another 2 hours. Rack replacement is 4-5 hours. Don't ignore—pump damage from running dry gets expensive fast.
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing and Ball Joint Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise over bumps from front suspension, Steering wander or loose feeling on highway, Uneven tire wear on inside edges, Vehicle pulls to one side
Fix: Bushings tear and ball joints develop play. Mitsubishi issued recall for some VINs due to cracking lower arms, but bushings fail regardless. Control arms usually replaced as complete assemblies (non-serviceable bushings). 2.5-3 hours per side including alignment. Always do alignment after suspension work.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000 both sides
Windshield Wiper Motor and Linkage Assembly Failure
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Wipers moving extremely slowly or not at all, Wipers stuck in up position, Clicking or grinding noise from cowl area, Intermittent wiper operation
Fix: Linkage bushings wear out and motor bearings fail. Entire assembly lives under cowl panel which must be removed. 2-3 hours labor for motor, slightly more if linkage arms need replacement. Factory parts only recommended—aftermarket units fail quickly.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel Filter Restriction and Fuel System Contamination
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Hesitation or stumbling during acceleration, Difficulty starting when engine is hot, Loss of power at highway speeds, Check engine light with lean codes (P0171/P0174)
Fix: In-tank fuel filter isn't serviced on schedule by most owners. Restriction causes fuel pump overwork and eventual failure. Filter replacement requires tank drop (3-4 hours labor). If pump has failed, add another $300-500 for pump assembly. Consider both if you're already in there.
Estimated cost: $500-1,100
Owner tips
CVT fluid changes every 30,000 miles religiously—it won't save the transmission forever but might buy you time
Check oil level every fuel fill-up on 2.4L engines; address consumption issues before bearing damage occurs
Do timing belt service at 90k on V6 models, don't wait for 105k interval
Inspect power steering system annually—small leaks become expensive pump replacements
Budget $1,000-1,500 annually for unexpected repairs after 80k miles
Hard pass unless you're getting it nearly free—CVT and engine failure rates make this a money pit waiting to happen, and repair costs often exceed vehicle value.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS · 18V069000
2018-01-26
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.
Consequence: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. 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.
Consequence: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-003.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles manufactured September 8, 2006, to March 29, 2013. In the affected 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.
Consequence: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rubber boot on the ball joint to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, they will inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, replacing it as necessary. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-009.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · 16V458000
2016-06-23
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS · 14V366000
2014-06-25
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, Mitusbishi is recalling certain 2007-2012 Outlander vehicles that received replacement 6-speed automatic transmissions during servicing. The transmissions in these vehicles have insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the converter housing of the automatic transmission. As a result of the contact, the power steering pressure tube may develop a hole and leak power steering fluid.
Consequence: A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-006.
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