MitsubishiOutlander20123.0L/mitsubishi/outlander/2012/3-0l/

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander — 3.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Outlander 3.0L.

Body SUVEngine 3.0LTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander 3.0L is an SUV that employs a 3.0‑liter V‑6 engine paired with an Automatic (S6) transmission and a 4.6‑quart oil capacity lubricated by 0W‑20 API oil, achieving EPA‑rated 19 city/26 highway/22 combined miles per gallon. In its model year the vehicle recorded 36 owner complaints — with air bags as the top complaint area — and ten recall actions, figures that sit below the 2015 peak of 233 complaints yet remain above the recent 13‑complaint low, indicating a moderate but improving reliability trend. Consequently, the 2012 Outlander occupies a point in the model’s history where complaint volume has begun to recede from earlier highs, suggesting a modest improvement in overall reliability.

Model year201520142013201220112010200920082007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/26/22 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 (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 / combined19 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
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.

7.6–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 2017 GT V6
224 hpHorsepower (as tested)
215 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014GT V6 3.0L V67.80 sec16.20 sec224 hpAWD
2017GT V6 3.0L V67.60 sec16.00 sec224 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.6 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.

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 Capacity4.6 qt
Power Steering FluidGenuine Mitsubishi PS fluid

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts148 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts57 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/Studs17 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)600 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 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 2 stages
132-34 ft. lbs.32–34 ft. lbs
2150-154 ft. lbs.150–154 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; 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) · 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 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.

After a volatile period from 20072011 marked by elevated complaints and recalls, the 2012 model represents a significant dip in owner-reported complaints to just 36—less than half the 2011 volume—while maintaining a moderate recall count of 10. This positions 2012 as a statistical calm point before the 2013 model year brought increased technical service bulletins (184), the line’s only federal investigation, and a subsequent major complaint spike in 2015 (233). With zero fire complaints, only four crash-related complaints, and the lowest complaint volume of its surrounding decade, the 2012 Outlander demonstrates relative stability within a generation otherwise characterized by fluctuating reliability metrics. Given its position as a low-complaint outlier compared to its immediate predecessor and successor, the 2012 model year represents a favorable used-car candidate from a federal-data perspective.

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 3.0L take?

4.6 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 3.0L get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.