YearToAvoid

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Engine Problems

NHTSA has 17 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, 19% of all 91 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest engine complaint count among 13 Lancer model years. These complaints report 1 fire. Median mileage at failure: 105,000 miles.

Engine complaints
17
19% of 91
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
105,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 16, 2008, latest May 6, 2023.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer engine complaints: complaints filed per month5Apr 2008Oct 2009Oct 2014Dec 2014Jun 2015May 2023
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2008 to May 2023; peak Dec 2014 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

  1. 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.

Engine complaints by Lancer model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20053 (13%)
  2. 20064 (11%)
  3. 20070 (0%)
  4. 200817 (19%)
  5. 200929 (30%)
  6. 201022 (43%)
  7. 201111 (32%)
  8. 20128 (42%)
  9. 20132 (40%)
  10. 20141 (6%)
  11. 20155 (22%)
  12. 20166 (20%)
  13. 20170 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have engine problems?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, 19% of all complaints for this model year. Median mileage at failure is 105,000 miles.
Which Mitsubishi Lancer year has the most engine complaints?
The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer has the most engine complaints (29), compared with 17 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer concerns the engine: 14V562000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.