2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
92/100
#2 most-complained of 13 Lancer years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer has 91 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 92 out of 100 — #2 highest of 13 Lancer model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is suspension, wheels & tires (28 complaints, 31% of the total). Complaints report 8 crashes, 2 fires, and 6 injuries.
- Complaints
- 91
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 (31%)
- Engine17 (19%)
- Steering12 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (12%)
- Brakes10 (11%)
- Structure & Body10 (11%)
- Electrical System9 (10%)
- Airbags7 (8%)
- Fuel System5 (5%)
- Other4 (4%)
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V279000May 18, 2020Structure & Body141,200 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
- NHTSA 18V071000Jan 26, 2018Visibility & Wipers56,641 vehicles
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Risk: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.
- NHTSA 14V562000Sep 12, 2014Engine165,923 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Lancer years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer ranks #2 of 13 among Lancer model years (Complaint Index 92/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 91 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?
- The most reported problem areas are suspension, wheels & tires (28 complaints), engine (17 complaints), and steering (12 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 33,000 miles.
- Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, most recently reported 2020, covering structure & body, visibility & wipers, engine, and airbags.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?
- EPA rates the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer at 24 MPG combined (21.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.