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Mitsubishi Lancer EvolutionModel year report

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Problems

Complaints
36filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
45,000miles, 34 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 17 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 26 complaints (72% of the total), followed by electronic stability control (19) and fuel system (3). 34 of the complaints include a mileage, and 68% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,000 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 82 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “The s-awc or super all wheel control system on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution helps the all wheel drive to actually work. I had a service message pop up on my car with the s-awc system being indicated. After reviewing the car's manual and the internet to help diagnose the issue of why it was causing it, I'm told there is an ever-increasing number of vehicles with this s-awc pump failure either in super cold conditions or very hot conditions. …”

NHTSA complaint #10524005, filed 2013-07, 86,600 miles

Electronic stability control: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10659722, filed 2014-11, 66,000 miles

Fuel system: “There is a strong fuel smell in the cabin when I am on the highway doing 70mph, I have tried to check it out but there are no apparent fuel leaks, my mechanic suspects the evaporator system.”

NHTSA complaint #10454451, filed 2012-04, 35,000 miles

Equipment: “When starting my 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution gsr, I received a warning message on the cluster display showing a yellow-orange symbol that shows 4 wheels connected by axles and the middle-shaft, where the front two wheels are facing at an angle to the side. The error code read as c161e: DTC c161e: electric pump relay circuit system (stuck). This has become a very common issue with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. So common that when you search for the code c161e, you can find countless forum discussions on multiple websites commenting on the frequency of this issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10640971, filed 2014-10, 67,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

68% of the 34 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 53,500 miles.

3%0–1012%10–2553%25–5026%50–753%75–1003%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (34 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 45,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2009201020112012201320141420162018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Lancer Evolution 4WD/AWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic172219$4,350
Lancer Evolution 4WD/AWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual162218$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 82 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 82 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2014643,0002—19—Not enough data
20111135,7503—19—Not enough data
20102839,5005—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20083645,0004—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20062435,5002—19—Stable
20051465,0002—19—Not enough data
20039812,0982—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have?

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 26 complaints (72% of the total), followed by electronic stability control with 19.

Has the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Lancer Evolution, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reported?

Among the 34 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,000 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 53,500 miles; 68% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.