2008 Mitsubishi Outlander Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 16%of 58 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, 16% of the 58 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles.
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.
“The car is a Mitsubishi Outlander e.s 2008 with 42000 miles on it ,and the transmission is not shifting. I contacted Mitsubishi motors but since 10 years passed nothing could be done.I had been surfing internet and there are too many issues related to this type vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11412885, filed 2021-04, 42,000 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“July 3, at approximately 10:30 pm we came home and parked the car in the driveway which is at a slight incline. I got out of the vehicle to unload items from the back, and as I came around on the passenger side the car made a loud pop sound and the car began to roll backwards and was making an audible clicking noise. In an instant I was worried that the vehicle was going to run over one of my kids who were outside as I unloaded the vehicle so I managed to climb in and as I reached over to turn off the ignition, the car bumped over where the driveway and street meet knocking me off balance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10537004, filed 2013-08, 49,000 miles“Vehicle seems to hesitate from starting from a stopped position dealer said without a bulletin from Mitsubishi there is nothing they can do. Problem with seeing radio display during daylight hours also both rear side windows rattle when in down position.”
NHTSA complaint #10226116, filed 2008-04, 1,200 miles“Mitsubishi Outlander '08, paddle shifters are a poorly designed device for shifting gears on an automatic transmission, they are attached to the steering wheel beside the right and left turn signals and the windshield wipers. When you use the normal above two items your fingers automatically involuntarily shift the car into for instance, low gear!!! Horribly dangerous device, poor engineering design, trying to soup up a cheap, poorly designed vehicle. The car needs to be recalled immediately!”
NHTSA complaint #10249579, filed 2008-11, 200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11003536Jun 3, 2024Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle…
- 10154714Feb 27, 2019This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin updates the Automatic Transmission section of the affected Service Manual, to correct information in the…
- 10098878Feb 12, 2016This technical service bulletin, provided to dealers, provides instructions to remove the transmission and replace two primary pulley shaft bearings and one secondary pulley…
- 10170074Aug 28, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170071Jul 22, 2015This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10098881Feb 12, 2015This technical service bulletin, provided to dealers, adds procedures for disassembly, assembly and cleaning transmission components.
- 10098877Feb 3, 2015This technical service bulletin, provided to dealers, corrects the hydraulic pressure settings and updates the special tools used in the cvt hydraulic pressure test in the…
- 10170106Sep 10, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170104Aug 8, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
- 10170096Mar 5, 2013This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 7% |
| 2024 | 4 | 15% |
| 2023 | 5 | 10% |
| 2022 | 8 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 3 | 10% |
| 2018 | 3 | 5% |
| 2017 | 7 | 14% |
| 2016 | 64 | 44% |
| 2015 | 25 | 47% |
| 2014 | 7 | 16% |
| 2013 | 4 | 15% |
| 2012 | 6 | 27% |
| 2011 | 6 | 10% |
| 2010 | 6 | 10% |
| 2009 | 5 | 11% |
| 2008 | 9 | 16% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2005 | 3 | 16% |
| 2004 | 3 | 6% |
| 2003 | 6 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsExterior lighting
8 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