MitsubishiOutlander20122.4L/mitsubishi/outlander/2012/2-4l/

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Outlander 2.4L.

Body SUVEngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic (AV-S6)

The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4L is a compact SUV equipped with a 2.4‑liter engine that requires 4.9 quarts of 0W‑20 API oil and is paired with an automatic AV‑S6 transmission, achieving EPA fuel economy of 22 city, 28 highway and 25 combined mpg. Owner complaint data record 36 total reports, with air‑bag issues comprising the majority and 10 recall actions documented. Its complaint history from 2003 to 2025 peaked at 233 complaints in 2015 and fell to 13 complaints by 2025, situating this model year near the upper end of the historical complaint range but indicating a clear downward trend.

Model year201520142013201220112010200920082006

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/28/25 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 MZ690072. 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 sizeP215-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072
Engine air filter1500A023
Fuel filter1770A095 alt 1770A094
Spark plug1822A068 alt 1822A011
Front wiper blades8250A254 alt 28890W160P
Serpentine belt11950WW10P alt 4451A114
Thermostat1305A803 alt MD194988
Cabin air filter7803A004

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.9 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3527 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 28 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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.

8.5–10.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 2021 PHEV GT S-AWC
162 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014SE 2.4L I-49.10 sec17.00 sec166 hpAWD
2014SE 2.4L I-410.20 sec17.90 sec166 hpAWD
2016SEL 2.4L I-49.20 sec17.00 sec166 hpAWD
2016SEL 2.4L I-49.30 sec17.30 sec166 hpAWD
2021PHEV GT S-AWC 2.4L I-4 + Elec8.50 sec16.70 sec221 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 80W in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. 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

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.7
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil80W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.9 qt
Power Steering FluidGenuine Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts15-21 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33-39 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 15-; Upper: 17-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33-39 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs12 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug22.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug22.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.05-1.14 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression145
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH HEAVY DUTY / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38-48 ft-lbs / 38-44 ft-lbs / 67-81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.059 in
Brake ApplicationWITH HEAVY DUTY / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0032 in / 0.0024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
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
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 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 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Wheel Cylinder (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 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 Outlander sits near the bottom of a complaint arc that peaks sharply in 2015, with 36 complaints and 10 recalls—well below the 233 complaints and 12 recalls seen that year. In the two years surrounding 2012, complaints rose from 88 in 2011 to 68 in 2013, while recalls dipped from 14 to 14, indicating a modest improvement in 2012. The recall trend for the generation remains relatively flat, hovering around 10–14 recalls annually, with no significant spike in 2012. Top complaint areas in 2012 focus on air bags (6), visibility/wiper (4), suspension (3), and power train (3), yet the overall complaint count is low, and there are zero fire-related complaints. Given the low complaint and recall figures relative to adjacent years, 2012 appears to be a comparatively reliable model year, making it a sensible choice for a used Outlander purchase.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
142
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
36
Owner complaints
4 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 36 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags6
Visibility/Wiper4
Suspension3
Power Train3
Structure2
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine2
Visibility2
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V461000Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:MotorReported 20/07/2017

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… 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…

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 142 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…
TECH TALK 2812024-08-07Fuel/Propulsion 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-24-11-0022024-06-03EngineService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides additions to the…
TSB-24-23-0042024-06-03Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the…

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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outlander. OEM
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 Outlander 2.4L take?

4.9 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Outlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 28 highway / 25 combined mpg.