2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 8%of 91 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, 8% of the 91 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My srs light just started coming on a few years ago before we were in an accident. When we took it to the dealer to check it, they said it was a costly repair and is only to remove the light...but that the airbags would still deploy if we were in an accident. Since then, we've been in an accident where we were rear-ended (which would not deploy the airbags) but it pushed us into the car in front of us (which should have deployed the airbags). …”
NHTSA complaint #11363572, filed 2020-10, 120,000 miles“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. After two days of diagnostics they said there was a problem with a wiring harness due to the accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10232892, filed 2008-07, 13,000 miles“Blower motor has failed three times. Blower motors on later manufactured vehicles were recalled several years ago because the blower motor may fail. This vehicle exhibits the same symptoms described as that recall but is outside the scope.”
NHTSA complaint #10852109, filed 2016-03, 95,000 miles“In 2015 my 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer did not pass ca state smog. My local mechanic did the necessary tests as directed by the local state referee, they said the problem was the 02 sensor. Ended up being directed by referee to Mitsubishi of el cajon and paid $125.00 for them to test it. They said they could not find the problem. Then was told to make appt with the referee on yet another day for them to test it and ended up receiving a 2yr pass because the car still would not complete run test. Report states: failed due to vehicle obd system has not set the readiness monitor(s). …”
NHTSA complaint #11139030, filed 2018-10“The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that after a while the system would erase any safety information used to track mileage and only show the GPS feature on the digital screen with information from 2004. The contact stated he used the digital screen for the safety features. Upon further inspection, the battery would be drained at an abnormal rate while using the Bluetooth features, and the Bluetooth would not work outside of the local dealer parking lot. …”
NHTSA complaint #11611449, filed 2024-08, 98,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10159665Apr 23, 2019This is a Technical Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin provides dealers with a basic description of the hands-free systems used in Mitsubishi built vehicles. The bulletin…
- 10158957Mar 28, 2019This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin updates the Chassis Electrical section of the affected Service Manuals to update diagnostics for ETACS-ECU CAN…
- 10152871Dec 14, 2018This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. The bulletin instructs dealers to confirm a list of specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) if vehicle experiences the…
- 10142736Jun 7, 2018This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. It provides dealers instructions for reprogramming the ETACS ECU with updated software to resolve the issue on certain…
- 10117850Aug 15, 2017This is a Technical Service Bulletin, sent to dealers, providing updates to the Chassis Electrical section of the affected Service Manuals, to provide replacement instructions…
- 10098916Feb 21, 2017This is a technical service bulletin, sent to dealers, providing instructions for modifying the wiring harness and replacing the radiator and/or condenser fan motor and…
- 10091780Jul 8, 2016This is a technical service bulletin, sent to dealers, to supercede tsb−14−22−002, issued july, 2014, to revise specific steps for selecting reprogramming data…
- 10055619Apr 1, 2014Mitsubishi: this bulletin is an introduction to mapcare and the map update purchase for mitsubishi multi communications system. This does not apply to mitsubishi multi…
- 10170107Oct 11, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170106Sep 10, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 | 13% |
| 2015 | 6 | 26% |
| 2014 | 1 | 6% |
| 2012 | 1 | 5% |
| 2011 | 4 | 12% |
| 2010 | 5 | 10% |
| 2009 | 19 | 19% |
| 2008 | 7 | 8% |
| 2006 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 | 2 | 8% |
| 2004 | 7 | 9% |
| 2003 | 12 | 6% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
23 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology