MitsubishiLancer20122.0L/mitsubishi/lancer/2012/2-0l/

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Lancer 2.0L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L is a passenger car powered by a 2.0L engine mated to an Automatic (AM6) transmission that requires 5.9 qt of 5W-30 API oil and is rated by the EPA at 18/25/20 mpg. Within the broader 1996-2017 model history, this year records 19 total owner complaints primarily regarding the Engine and one recall, a figure that remains significantly lower than the generation's peak of 311 complaints in 2003. This differential places the 2012 model year on the lower end of the complaint spectrum relative to the generation's highest recorded issues.

Model year201520142013201220112010200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690116. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-40R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690116 alt MZ690072
Engine air filter1500A023 alt 1500A086
Fuel filter1770A268 alt 1770A274
Spark plug1822A079 alt 1822A069
BatterySC34CMP
Front wiper blades8250A186 alt MZ693021
Serpentine belt4451A114 alt 4451A115
Thermostat1305A803 alt 1305A802
Cabin air filter7803A004

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.9 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3120 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2012 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

5.3–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2009 Ralliart
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010Sportback Ralliart Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.50 sec14.20 sec237 hpAWD
2010Sportback Ralliart Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.50 sec14.20 sec237 hpAWD
2010Sportback Ralliart Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.70 sec14.40 sec237 hpAWD
2009Ralliart 2.0L Turbo I-45.30 sec14.00 sec237 hpAWD
2009Ralliart 2.0L Turbo I-45.40 sec14.20 sec237 hpAWD
2009Ralliart 2.0L Turbo I-45.40 sec14.00 sec237 hpAWD
2009Ralliart 2.0L Turbo I-45.50 sec14.30 sec237 hpAWD
2008GTS 2.0L I-47.70 sec15.90 sec152 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.3 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.9 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.4 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts184 Turbo ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts73 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-40 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs19 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug23.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub166-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub166-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Turbo rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.06-1.14 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.40-3.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)45.0-50.0 psi
Engine Compression152
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle89-111 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle52-66 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket28-36 ft-lbs / 48-62 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38-48 ft-lbs / 67-81 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle39-44 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle67-81 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-10015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
126 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
390 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts. Apply an appropriate amount of engine oil to top and bottom surfaces of washers and threaded portion of bolts.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
125-27 ft. lbs.25–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; Do not re-use old bolts. Apply an appropriate amount of engine oil to top and bottom surface of washers and threaded portion of bolts.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

125.0-27.0 ft. lbs.25–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 3,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 5,000 miBrake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Steering System (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 90,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer represents a notable improvement in reliability within its generation, particularly when viewed through the lens of federal complaint and recall data. Complaints dropped sharply to 19 in 2012 from 49 in 2011 and 85 in 2010, while recalls fell to just one—significantly lower than the 7–9 recalls seen in 2009–2010. This decline suggests Mitsubishi addressed earlier quality concerns, as the 2012 model sits at the low point of a downward trend that continues into 2013 (5 complaints) and beyond. The top complaint areas—engine and powertrain—align with broader generational patterns but occur at a much lower frequency than in peak years like 2003 (311 complaints). With no fire-related complaints and minimal crash reports, the 2012 Lancer emerges as a comparatively stable choice within this generation. **Takeaway: This is one of the better years to buy, offering a balance of maturity in the model cycle and reduced reliability risks.**

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
88
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
19
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 19 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine4
Power Train2
Visibility/Wiper2
Steering,Power Train,Wheels1
Structure1
Suspension1
Power Train,Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V069000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated PulleysReported 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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 88 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TECH TALK 2892025-11-21Electrical SystemTech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…
TSB-16-54-001REV2024-07-23Electrical SystemThis Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Hands Free Module…
TSB-24-23-0042024-06-03Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the…
TSB-23-22-0012023-07-21Power TrainThis Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections and additional…
DEALER LETTER2023-07-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Lancer 2.0L take?

5.9 qt of 5W-30 SM API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Lancer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.