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Mitsubishi LancerModel year report

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems

Compared with other Mitsubishi Lancer years

More complaints than typical for this model

87/100 2.3× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
91filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
33,000miles, 61 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 29 hwy

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

What owners report

Complaints on this model year are split between two groups: early-ownership alignment and brake concerns reported under about 20,000 miles, and heavily high-mileage reports of corrosion in the front crossmember and control-arm mounting area, which many owners describe as the reason they filed. Steering-pull and uneven tire wear complaints appear from near-new mileage, while brake-related reports describe a low pedal or delayed assist shortly after start-up.

  1. Body and structure

    Front crossmember / subframe rusted through

    • 15 complaints (16%)
    • median 148,485 mi at 10.7 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2023

    Owners describe the front crossmember or subframe rusting through to the point that the control arm separates or the wheel no longer sits straight, sometimes while driving at low speed. Several say a dealer or independent mechanic confirmed the part was corroded and needed replacement, and some report being told the repair cost exceeds the vehicle's value or that a recall was not applied to their car. Mostly reported between roughly 70,000 and 180,000 miles, often on cars in states that use road salt.

    Recall 20V2790005 related service bulletins

    What to check: Have the front crossmember inspected on a lift for rust-through, especially on a car from a salt-belt state, and ask whether recall 20V279000 was completed or whether the car was excluded from it.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #11385384, filed 2020-12, 174,000 miles

    “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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11220553, filed 2019-06, 139,923 miles
  2. Steering

    Steering pull and uneven front tire wear

    • 16 complaints (18%)
    • median 5,900 mi at 0.6 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • filed 2008–2023

    Owners write that the car pulls strongly to one side from new or soon after purchase, and that repeated alignments by the dealer did not correct it. Many describe front tires wearing bald or feathered on the edges after only a few thousand miles, and some say the dealer found nothing wrong or declined to cover tires. Reported from under 5,000 miles up to about 33,000 miles, often noticed within the first months of ownership.

    What to check: Drive it at highway speed and check whether it tracks straight, then look at the inner and outer edge wear on the front tires and ask for the alignment printout.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have had an 08 Mitsubishi Lancer gts for a year now and have had serious problems with the car pulling left since the very first week I owned it. I've had the car aligned 5 times now and no success. The car will drive fine for less than a week and it starts to pull left again, sometimes driving off the lot after an alignment, it would still not be corrected. My tires are wearing unevenly on the outside edges as well, and are now the tires are worn down to the tread indicators. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10236454, filed 2008-07, 50 miles

    “My car, Mitsubishi Lancer gts model 2008 is pulling to the side. I got this car new, it was pulling to the left from the beginning. After they did an alignment, the car is pulling to the right. The amount of pulling is very big, for example if, at 60-65mph I release the steering wheel it rotates right instantly with a half a inch, and the car changes the lane to the right in 3-4 seconds. I don't know if the car or the tires are wrong, but this is very serioos safety concern for me. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10239217, filed 2008-08, 200 miles
  3. Brakes

    Low or delayed brake pedal, ABS light

    • 10 complaints (11%)
    • median 14,000 mi at 2.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2007–2022

    Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor, a soft or delayed first stop after start-up, or the ABS warning light coming on with reduced braking. Owners report dealers replacing speed sensors or brake components and, in some cases, telling them nothing could be found. Reported from a few thousand miles up to very high mileage, with several cases in slow parking-lot or stop-start driving.

    Recall 09V077000

    What to check: Ask whether recall 09V077000 (brake booster check valve) was performed, and test the first brake application after a cold start in a parking lot.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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 start the car and the car would not go into gear, the instrument panel lit up and some of my electric stop working. I had the car towed to the dealer. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10232892, filed 2008-07, 13,000 miles

    “Estaba en la autopista y me prendi la luz del ABS y el automvil se senta aguantado cuando me toc frenar el automvil de momento no fren bien. Despus proced a llamar al servicio de remolque de la Mitsubishi y buscaron el carro a mi casa. El 01/14/2010 el dealer le encontr falla en sensor y se lo reemplazaron. (mn116244 sensor, rr ABS,rh). Pero en el 2011 volvi prendi la luz del ABS se le hizo el cambio de las pastilla de freno y se limpiaron todos los sensor y la luz se apag. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10551185, filed 2013-11, 12,876 miles
  4. Engine

    Engine warning light and drive belt / pulley recall

    • 14 complaints (15%)
    • median 116,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2008–2023

    Owners describe a squeaking or waning noise from the belt area, or the check-engine light coming on, and report that the drive belt and pulley recall repair could not be done because parts were on back order. Some say the dealer wanted to charge separately for a damaged pulley. Reported from around 100,000 to 133,000 miles in the sample, typically as a noise noticed while driving.

    Recall 14V562000

    What to check: Ask for proof that recall 14V562000 (belt and pulley) was completed, and listen for belt squeal at cold start.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I received a recall notice for the drive belt, however, the dealer stated that the parts are on back order. I explained that the car is making a noise and I am concerned about the safety of driving the car. Their response is that I should bring the car in to get looked at. This now involves me having to take time off from work so that I can take it there which is about 40 minutes from my home. If it is the drive belt, there is nothing they can do anyway. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10651068, filed 2014-10, 110,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the engine warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. However, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #10679098, filed 2015-01, 133,000 miles
  5. Transmission and drivetrain

    CVT transmission overheating message

    • 9 complaints (10%)
    • median 72,000 mi at 9.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2007–2024

    Owners report a warning to slow down appearing on the dashboard during highway driving or hot weather, with the car losing power until it is stopped and restarted after a wait. Some say the noise or grinding began after a transmission fluid change done as scheduled. Reported from very low mileage up to about 220,000 miles, more often in hot weather or sustained highway speeds.

    What to check: Ask about transmission fluid service history and take a highway test drive on a warm day to see whether any overheat warning appears.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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 last year may of 2016”

    NHTSA complaint #10971880, filed 2017-04, 220,000 miles

    “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 …”

    NHTSA complaint #11376734, filed 2020-11, 30 miles

Buying note. Corrosion of the front crossmember is the item most worth confirming before purchase, so check recall 20V279000 status and inspect underneath, and budget for an alignment and tire check given the pull complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 91 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. 61 of the complaints include a mileage, and 54% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 33,000 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 101 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 4 Mitsubishi Lancer model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 87 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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: Engine cooling (4), Other or unknown (3), Wheels (3), Electronic stability control (2), Exterior lighting (2), Seat belts (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Equipment (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “When I was on my way home from work, I stopped at the store to grab a few things. When I was done, I got in my car and started to back out of the parking spot. I then heard a clunk noise, but dismissed it because I wasn't sure what it was. I then pulled out of the parking lot and started to drive roughly 5-10mph, when more clunks happened and the steering wheel went all over and I lost control and was forced to stop in the middle of the road. …”

NHTSA complaint #11083708, filed 2018-04, 32,390 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 14v562000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part was not available for several months. The dealer did not give a specific date when the parts would become available. The dealer informed that the part was on back order with no confirmation as to when the vehicle would be repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10668348, filed 2014-12, 119,000 miles

Steering: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11222733, filed 2019-06, 123,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “While coming of the off-ramp, the vehicle lost pressure in the clutch pedal. Upon further investigation, there was fluid leaking from the clutch master cylinder. It has been noted that clutch master cylinder in 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer es (base model) is the same as one being recalled in 2008-2013 Mitsubishi Lancer evolution x. This is a second time the clutch master cylinder has failed and needs to be replaced. I would like for Mitsubishi corp. To look into the recalling base models for this issue as they have in the following sr-13-009. …”

NHTSA complaint #10587568, filed 2014-05, 80,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

54% of the 61 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,500 and 120,000 miles.

28%0–1015%10–2511%25–502%50–758%75–10020%100–15016%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (61 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 33,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

21’09’12’15’18’21’24
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Lancer · sedan FWDnot rated5 / 4——4 · 12.1% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer 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 FWD2.0L 4-cylCVT222924$2,800
Lancer FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual212924$2,800

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 → · 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. 101 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 101 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20176—0430—Not enough data
20163063,50024280 · FewerFalling
20152321,0001428—Stable
20141675,0000427—Stable
2013583,0000428—Not enough data
20121955,0001428—Falling
20113450,6063—2720 · FewerFalling
20105170,0006—2550 · TypicalFalling
20099875,0008—2486 · MoreFalling
20089133,0005—2487 · MoreFalling
200637100,0004—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20052470,0003—23—Stable
20048060,0004—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200319949,0002—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200214868,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling

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

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Complaints on this model year are split between two groups: early-ownership alignment and brake concerns reported under about 20,000 miles, and heavily high-mileage reports of corrosion in the front crossmember and control-arm mounting area, which many owners describe as the reason they filed. The issues reported most often: Front crossmember / subframe rusted through; Steering pull and uneven front tire wear; Low or delayed brake pedal, ABS light.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

NHTSA recorded 91 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Suspension is named most often, in 23 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine with 13.

Has the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 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 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer (Lancer, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 22 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 61 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 33,000 miles and the middle half falls between 7,500 and 120,000 miles; 54% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.