2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (46% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Aye/ hydralic pump was never changed out was told when I went to do a manufacturing recal that it worked fine when it didnt and after wards hit past the 100,000 miles and was automatically unable to get the replacement.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2016
“Vehicle was in cold weather, ayc system light turned on. I checked the forums and found that this is a common issue that indicates the pump is bad. This is a very common problem. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Dec 2014
“Acd/ ayc pump failure, one time I was doing fluid inspection on my car when I notice the cars atf fluid reservoir in the trunk is losing oil. Looked at the floor found some red oil dripping. It may have seem that pump may have been failing to hold pressure and lose oil. Possible gasket failure or pump crack. Been searching online for similar problems, I found out it seemed to be mostly every owners problem. Is this suppose to be covered by manufacturer? Seem like poor material build. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Went to dealer for transmission check and after a mile awc light came on they said it had nothing to do with computer update they did.mind you my tranny was going bad and dealer did not want nothing to do with it even under warranty. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2014
“It was a cold winter day, I started driving my evo to a nearby grocery store. Enroute, the awd system would throw a warning and a dashboard light lit up. I was concerned, stopped the vehicle and found no leaks or no weird noises. The vehicle was unable to shift into snow/tarmac/gravel mode. Fortunately I was not stranded on the road side. Upon further investigation I came to know that the acd pump failed and hence it threw an awd error. Its costing about 2200 dollars to fix this issue. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2014
“Active yaw control (ayc) and active center differential (acd) pump failed. Not covered under power train warranty pump was corroded and could no longer produce enough pressure. Pump in located directly behind passenger rear wheel exposed to water, salt, and other road debris. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2014
“Very cold day out, about -15 f, warmed up my vehicle for about 5 minutes plus. Once I began driving, about 10 mph my service required light came on for my ayc pump. Dealer said that is was not covered under warranty of any kind. Mitsubishi has known that is a common issue in cold climates that use salt on the roads. The salt corrodes the pump and makes it faulty/malfunction. This is a safety item that needs to be recalled due to the knowledge that an evo driver handles their car [that they purchased as such] and looses that right with a faulty ayc pump. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2014
“I started my car and the awc service light came on. It was about 0 degrees out that day, which is a very unusual temperature for s. Indiana. When I started the car it screeched for just a second and then popped up the code. I restarted the car, just as the manual had said and when I restarted it the light was still on. I was able to get the code read it threw a c161e code which is an acd/ayc problem. After doing a lot of research I found out its a common problem and its an expensive problem, about $2,000+. I called the dealer and was told my warranty does not cover this, it is not part of the power train. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2014
“I started my car and the awc service light came on. I came to a controlled stop, and restarted the car per the instructions in the vehicle manual. Upon restart, the same service light came on. After the dealer ran a diagnostic, it was found that the high pressure pump for the active stability control system had failed. I was told that this part was not part of the drive train and would not be covered under warranty. The day the pump failed it was very cold and there was packed snow on the roadways. If I was driving at higher speeds and this pump had failed, I believe the automobile would not have behaved as expected with the awc stability active. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Dec 2013
“Loss of electronic stability control. Ayc/acd pump failure due to poor engineering. Car has no stability control and driver is more likely to lose control in severe weather conditions. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Nov 2013
Recalls - 4 campaigns
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.
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 master cylinder can fail.
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 at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER EVOLUTION, RALLIART, AND SPORTBACK RALLIART VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TURBOCHARGED ENGINES. THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FUEL RETURN PIPE IS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE, IN COMBINATION WITH FREQUENT VEHICLE OPERATION AT CERTAIN ENGINE REVOLUTIONS, MAY RESULT IN A RESONANCE THAT, IF CONTINUED OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE A STRESS CRACK TO DEVELOP AT THE FIXED PORTION OF THE FUEL PIPE.
Remedy: THE FUEL RETURN PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW PART AND TWO ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENT BRACKETS WILL BE INSTALLED TO BETTER CONTROL FUEL PIPE VIBRATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER AND LANCER EVOLUTION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF 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 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE HEAVY ROAD SALT IS USED IN THE WINTER, A LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO A MIXTURE OF MELTED SNOW WITH SALT THROWN UP BY THE OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD MAY CAUSE A WATER-SALT MIXTURE TO ADHERE TO THE FRONT IMPACT SENSORS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS THAT HAVE IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT AT 1-888-648-7820.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lancer Evolution by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The most complained-about area is power train (46% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.