What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

Early-defect pattern

24.4% of complaints about the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer came in its first year of service — a higher share than 99% of the 262 2008 model-years on record. That points to problems present from new rather than wear. The most-reported system is suspension (22 complaints), typically at 11.6 yr or about 116,727 miles.

Complaints
123
Median age at failure
7.3 yr
Median mileage
33,435 n=85
Crash / fire / tow
17.9% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Suspension
22 reports · 116,727 mi
11.6 yr
36.4%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V279000 2020-05-18
Structure:frame and members

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

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

18V071000 2018-01-26
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly

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.

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

14V562000 2014-09-12
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys

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.

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

09V435000 2009-11-05
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

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 ADHE

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.

09V077000 2009-03-10
Service brakes, air:supply:check valve

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.

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

In owners’ own words

Suspension 100 mi 3 mo in service
MY 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER PULLS TO THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING, BRAKING OR COASTING ON BOTH CROWNED AND UNCROWNED ROADS. IT IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON INTERNET WEB FORUMS FOR LANCER ENTHUSIASTS. *TR
Suspension 10,000 mi 4 mo in service
CAR CONSTANTLY PULLS TO LEFT, EVEN AFTER REPEAT ALIGNMENTS BY DEALER. HAS BEEN SERVICES 3 TIMES WITHIN 9 MONTHS. NO IMPROVEMENT HAS BEEN MADE. FRONT TIRES ARE NOW GOING BALD AFTER 10,000 MILES. *TR
Suspension 120,000 mi 9.1 yr in service crash / fire / tow
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CROSS MEMBER AND K FRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A LIFT, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THE CONTACT WOULD APPROVE THE DEALER'S REPAIR. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Other Lancer model years

2016200920082006200420032002

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