VehicleVerdict

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 126 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median Lancer year — the 2008 model ranks #4 of 18 Lancer years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (23), engine (17), and steering (12), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

126

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Lancer years?

See all Lancer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension2318%
Engine1713%
Steering1210%
Transmission119%
Body & Structure108%
Brakes108%
Electrical System97%
Tires & Wheels97%
Airbags86%
Fuel System54%
Other43%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Lighting22%
Seat Belts22%
Speed Control22%

Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V279000Body & StructureMay 18, 2020 · 141,200 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

18V071000Visibility & WipersJanuary 26, 2018 · 56,641 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

14V562000EngineSeptember 12, 2014 · 165,923 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

09V435000AirbagsNovember 5, 2009 · 29,353 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COATING OVER TIME MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE SENSOR. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH OF THE TYPE THAT WOULD DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS THIS TYPE OF SHORT-CIRCUIT MAY CAUSE A DELAY IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS WHICH COULD RESULT IN DRIVER OR PASSENGER INJURY.

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.

09V077000BrakesMarch 10, 2009 · 39,711 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS MAY TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 13, 2022 · crash

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO MY DESIRED DESTINATION WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. WHEN THE PASSENGER WHEN TO CHECK, WHILE WE WHERE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, SHE NOTICED THAT FIRE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ALL WE COULD DO WAS GET OUT OF THE CAR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 10, 2008 · fire

WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR ON MY WAY HOME I NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS PULLING TO THE LEFT. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD MY THAT THE AIR IN MY LEFT TIRE IS LOW ON AIR. THE DEALER TRY TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH NOT HELP. I THEN HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP EITHER. NOW MY TIRE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 26, 2007

HAVE DONE TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE ASK REQUESTED IN MANUAL, HOWEVER IF ITS A HOT DAY AND YOU DO 65 THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO GRIND, THEN IT SLOW YOU DOWN. IT ACTUALLY TELLS YOU TO SLOW DOWN, WE USUALLY HAVE TO STOP FOR 5 MINUTES BEFORE WE CAN GET GOING AGAIN. I AM GIVING TODAY'S DATE BUT IT BEGIN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 11, 2017

MY SON WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES STARTED TO PULSE UNCONTROLLABLY, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DOWN TO THE FLOOR. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT LIT UP. UNFORTUNATELY HE COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND HE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. THREE WEEKS LATER AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, I WENT TO GO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 10, 2008 · crash

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer — common questions

Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 126 complaints put the 2008 model at #4 of 18 Lancer years. It is one of the Lancer years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Lancer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (23 complaints), engine (17 complaints), steering (12 complaints).

Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mitsubishi Lancer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Lancer years to avoid are 2003, 2002, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2010, 2005. The cleanest record among Lancer years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.