2008 Mitsubishi Lancer: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 91 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (19% of complaints); the 2006 and 2007 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The dealership that is repairing the drive belt recall, is attempting to charge me for the replacement of a damaged pulley.”Owner report · Engine · May 2023
“Our car crashed after getting off the highway in NJ. This appears to be related to Safety Recall Report 20V-279. The cross member has completely rusted and the driver side control arm came off, crashing the car and severely damaging the car, with loss of control. I have contacted Mitsubishi Motors but have received no response from them. There was no warning sign, and the car was on the highway at highway speeds before an exit ramp was taken when the car crashed.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2022
“The airbags light came on after I bought the car and I am afraid of I get in an accident they will not deploy my mechanic said I would have to go to a car dealership about it... The brakes also fail if I try to stop abruptly they go to the floor and do not stop the vehicle... The brakes are the worst when I am driving slowly and try to come to a stop. I have taken my car to the dealership and was told that my brakes are in good condition and the mechanic didn't understand why the car was having issues stopping.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“I heard a clunking noise. Parked and found rotten parts on tire. Mechanic said it cannot be fixed. Everything rotted. Needs whole new frame. We could have been killed.thank god I was close to home. Now I have nothing but an existing car loan for it.”Owner report · Wheels · Dec 2020
“Has active recall I want the sunroof replace not just inspected I want it fixed to avoid future problem of flying offer leaking”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mitsubishi lancer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v279000 (structure, suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called sunnyside mitsubishi (7630 pearl rd, middleburg heights, oh 44130; (440) 243-7711) where it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.*dt*jb”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2020
“I recently purchased a 2008 mitsubishi lancer there is a problem with the cvt transmission overheating the light stating slow down appears on dashboard I have to pull off the road turn off engine and wait between 10 to 20 mins before im able to drive again there are many complaints regarding the transmission overheating on the 2008 ,2009 and 2016 from my understanding its the transmissions that were used on on those years of vehicles now weather or not its mechanical or poor designed transmissions the manufacturer should have put a recall on these vehicles the manufacturer should have a recall on these vehicles to replace the transmissions”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2020
“I was driving my car to work this morning and all of a sudden I felt a drastic pull to the left. I get out of the car and look at all sides of the vehicle and don't notice anything right away. Then I notice my left front wheel is turned slightly while the steering wheel is straight. I look under the vehicle to find the sub frame rotted and rusted away from the control arm. This is a huge safety issue as this car has 123k miles and being a 2008 car, just 1 year later than the recalls currently up to 2007 for the same exact issue. The recall should be extended to the 2008 vehicles as well due to the insane amount of complaints on this specific sub frame rotting issue.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mitsubishi lancer. While driving approximately 25 mph and attempting to turn, the crossmember on the driver's side fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2019
“During my last two visit with technician (last one with mitsubishi dealer, and one before with other service place), the vehicle technician notice excessively rusted cross-member. The technician at mitsubishi dealer also put the note in "computerized vehicle report". When I asked the technician about how bad is this and how to fix this, he mentioned that other mitsubishi lancer vehicles are affecting with the same problem and mitsubishi is recalling vehicles year by year, so hope they will recall this model too. And for safety, I need to make sure to keep eye and need to pay attention to any change to vehicle while driving as this may crack and I am end up in accident. *tr*jb”Owner report · Structure · May 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 39,711 MY 2008-2009 OUTLANDER AND LACER VEHICLES. INCORRECT MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE MAY CAUSE THE CHECK VALVE TO STICK CLOSED WHEN THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RE-STARTED AND PUT INTO MOTION, UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS (VERY SLOW VEHICLE MANEUVERS), THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT INITIAL BRAKING ASSIST.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lancer 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 reliable?
NHTSA has 91 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. The most complained-about area is suspension (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,500 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have open recalls?
5 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.