MitsubishiLancer Evolution20122.0L/mitsubishi/lancer-evolution/2012/2-0l/

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Lancer Evolution 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a passenger car built around a 2.0L engine paired with an Automatic (AM6) transmission, returning EPA figures of 17 city, 22 highway, and 19 combined mpg. Service requirements are conventional, with a 5W-30 API engine oil specification and a 5.9-quart capacity. From a researcher's perspective, the more telling data sits in the reliability record: with only 3 owner complaints on file, the 2012 model year falls near the floor of the Evo's 2004-2015 complaint spectrum, well clear of the 2010 peak of 79 and roughly level with the 2004 low of 2, though a single recall and a top issue area centered on the seats still merit attention.

Model year201420132012201120102009200820062005

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 economy17/22/19 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
Tail / brake / turnTURNOEM · 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 / combined17 / 22 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume7 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent published road-test results.

5.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.10 sec — 2012 MR Sedan
291 hpHorsepower (as tested)
300 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012MR Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-45.10 sec13.80 sec291 hpAWD
2010SE Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-44.50 sec13.30 sec291 hpAWD
2010MR Touring Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-44.60 sec13.20 sec291 hpAWD
2015Final Edition Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-44.40 sec13.30 sec303 hpAWD
2015MR Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-44.90 sec13.70 sec291 hpAWD
2015MR Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-45.10 sec13.80 sec291 hpAWD
2008GSR Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-44.60 sec13.40 sec291 hpAWD
2008GSR Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-44.90 sec13.60 sec291 hpAWD

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 model sits at a low point in the Evolution’s federal record, registering only three complaints, a single recall, and no investigations—far fewer than the surrounding years, which saw complaints spike to 45 in 2011 and 79 in 2010 and recalls climb to seven in 2010. Across the 2004‑2015 span, the trend is a generally rising wave of complaints and recalls through 2008‑2010, followed by a sharp drop in 2012 before modest rebounds in 2013‑2015. The 2012 TSBs (76) remain moderate, comparable to adjacent years, indicating that while service bulletins are still issued, they are not unusually high. The top complaint categories for 2012 are limited to seats and power‑train/ESC issues, each with a single report, and there were no crash or fire complaints. **Takeaway:** 2012 exhibits the cleanest federal safety profile of the generation, making it a comparatively low‑risk year to consider for a used purchase.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
76
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Seats1
Power Train,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V446000Power Train:Manual TransmissionReported 19/09/2013

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch… Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 76 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB-16-54-001REV2024-07-23Electrical SystemThis Technical Service Bulletin instructs the dealer to update the Hands Free Module…
TSB-24-27-0012024-03-19Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides the replacement…
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…
TSB-23-00-0042023-04-24StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for…

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 Lancer Evolution. 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 Lancer Evolution 2.0L take?

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

Does the 2012 Lancer Evolution 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 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.