2008 Mitsubishi Outlander Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 14%of 58 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, 14% of the 58 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“While braking, the driver side brake light is only working when the headlights are not turned on. I read up on Mitsubishi recalling brake lights on outlanders and when I look up my VIN for a recall there is not one on there for that. This is an extreme issue. Last year we had it looked at, the whole light assembly replaced, the fuse replaced and yet nothing worked.”
NHTSA complaint #11377107, filed 2020-11, 176,104 miles“Low beam headlamps have been going completely out. This happened when in motion on a highway . It is difficult to navigate and be seen when this happened. I have taken the vehicle to a Mitsubishi dealer for repair but the problem has recurred 4 times. I have been told a relay was burnt out three times and had been replaced. Another time I was told there was an internal short. Usually the repair only lasts 3-4 weeks and then the lights go out again. This last time was only 2.5 weeks since it was last repaired. This has been incredibly frustrating and not to mention dangerous. …”
NHTSA complaint #11123531, filed 2018-08, 200,000 miles“We have a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander that we purchased in 2010. I was following my wife down the road and noticed that when she applied the brakes the brake lights sometimes did not come on. This is a huge safety problem. When we got home I tested it and found that about 20% of the time no brake lights would illuminate. I did some research online to see how difficult it would be to fix and discovered this is a very common problem with several recalls associated with it. It also effects the shift interlock which prevents shifting the car out of park even when the brake pedal is depressed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10652194, filed 2014-11, 94,000 miles“This vehicle was recalled in 2009 for a failure of the switch which activates the brake lamps. Mitsubishi records indicate that we had the switch replaced in march, 2009, along with another recall item. However, throughout the first half of 2011, my wife and I had problems getting the car to come out of 'park', and with the traction control computer indicating malfunctions. On the way to the dealership to have those issues investigated, I followed the vehicle, and noticed that most of the time, the brake lights did not activate when the brakes were applied. …”
NHTSA complaint #10465586, filed 2012-07, 60,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v564000 (exterior lighting); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 65,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10671820, filed 2015-01, 65,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V564000Sep 12, 2014Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Outlander vehicles manufactured December 15, 2006, to October 31…Covers: Mitsubishi Outlander 2007–2009
- 08V680000Dec 19, 2008Mitsubishi is recalling 21,493 my 2007-2008 outlander vehicles equipped with led type stop lamps and distributed in the united states and puerto rico. The…Covers: Mitsubishi Outlander 2007–2008
Related service bulletins
- 10211530Apr 7, 2022This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by…
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170760Dec 18, 2012This TSB clarifies the stop light switch installation and adjustment procedure in the affected service manuals.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 2 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 5 | 9% |
| 2017 | 3 | 6% |
| 2016 | 12 | 8% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 5 | 11% |
| 2008 | 8 | 14% |
| 2007 | 9 | 7% |
| 2006 | 7 | 33% |
| 2005 | 1 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 12% |
| 2003 | 19 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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