← New search

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

61 reports with mileage · 30 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports

Steering complaints

12 reports
Clear category filter
136,000 miles · Feb 6, 2021
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS -TEARING BUSHINGS, TORN BOOTS BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS - TORN BOOTS TIMING COVER SEPARATE

NHTSA ODI #11394927

174,000 miles · Dec 29, 2020
SteeringSuspensionWheels

I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE. PARKED AND FOUND ROTTEN PARTS ON TIRE. MECHANIC SAID IT CANNOT BE FIXED. EVERYTHING ROTTED. NEEDS WHOLE NEW FRAME. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.THANK GOD I WAS CLOSE TO HOME. NOW I HAVE NOTHING BUT AN EXISTING CAR LOAN FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI #11385384

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2020
Steering

THE CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED AND SPRING RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE. HAD REPAIRED IN MARCH OF 2019. SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL. SENT INVOICE AND RECEIPT TO MITSUBISHI HOWEVER THEY ARE SAYING IT DID NOT MEET TIME FRAME FOR REPAIR AND ARE REFUSING TO REFUND ANY OF MY REPAIR COSTS.

NHTSA ODI #11361718

123,000 miles · Jun 26, 2019
SteeringSuspension

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK THIS MORNING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT A DRASTIC PULL TO THE LEFT. I GET OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOK AT ALL SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AND DON'T NOTICE ANYTHING RIGHT AWAY. THEN I NOTICE MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT. I LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE TO FIND THE SUB FRAME…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK THIS MORNING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT A DRASTIC PULL TO THE LEFT. I GET OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOK AT ALL SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AND DON'T NOTICE ANYTHING RIGHT AWAY. THEN I NOTICE MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT. I LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE TO FIND THE SUB FRAME ROTTED AND RUSTED AWAY FROM THE CONTROL ARM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS THIS CAR HAS 123K MILES AND BEING A 2008 CAR, JUST 1 YEAR LATER THAN THE RECALLS CURRENTLY UP TO 2007 FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE 2008 VEHICLES AS WELL DUE TO THE INSANE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SPECIFIC SUB FRAME ROTTING ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11222733

72,000 miles · Aug 2, 2018
SteeringSuspension

WHILE DRIVING ON BACK STREET THE CAR STARTED PULLING DRAMATICALLY TO THE LEFT. ON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS NOTICED THAT WHERE THE WHEEL CONNECTS TO THE SUBFRAME THERE WAS EXCESSIVE ROT THE POINT THE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SUBFRAME. CONTACTED MITSUBISHI. THEY SAID THE LANCER (AND OTHER MODELS) HAD …

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON BACK STREET THE CAR STARTED PULLING DRAMATICALLY TO THE LEFT. ON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS NOTICED THAT WHERE THE WHEEL CONNECTS TO THE SUBFRAME THERE WAS EXCESSIVE ROT THE POINT THE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SUBFRAME. CONTACTED MITSUBISHI. THEY SAID THE LANCER (AND OTHER MODELS) HAD A RECALL ON EXCESSIVE SUBFRAME ROT BUT ONLY YEARS 2002 TO 2007 FOR THE LANCER. MINE BEING 2008 IS NOT RECALLED. I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS $2000. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS THE SUBFRAME HOLDS THE WHEELS ON, AND THE ENGINE IN PLACE AND IT HAD A CATISTROPIC FAILURE WHICH COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND LOSS OF LIFE. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS OR I COULD HAVE INFORMED MY MECHANIC TO CAREFULLY LOOK FOR SUBFRAME ROT (MOST INSPECTIONS ARE JUST BY SITE). HAD ANYONE HIT THIS SUBFRAME WITH A HAMMER THEY WOULD HAVE SEEN IT WAS DISSINTEGRATING. THE CAR DOES LOOK LIKE ITS RECALLED IN CANADA " TRANSPORT CANADA RECALL 2016317, WHICH WAS ISSUED ON JUNE 21, 2016. THE RECALL INVOLVES 64,305 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER AND LANCER MODELS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2003 AND 2013." MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAS INFORMED ME TODAY THAT I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. FAILURE OF A SUBFRAME IS A VERY RARE EVENT. ITS CLEAR THIS SUBFRAME HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS THE LANCERS BUILT THE YEAR BEFORE. THE OUTLANDER ALSO HAS THE EXACT SAME SUBFRAME. THE DEALER HAS MY SUBFRAME IN STOCK BECAUSE ITS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE OUTLANDER (WHICH IS COVERED). I AM HOPING THEY REALIZE THAT NOT INFORMING CUSTOMERS OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. INFORMING THE LANCER OWNERS UP TO 2013 (AS THEY DID IN CANADA) COULD SAVE LIVES.

NHTSA ODI #11115419

241,030 miles · Sep 4, 2017
SteeringSuspensionWheels

AT 50 KM/H, WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OF 90 DEGREE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TURNING AND GOING STRAIGHT FORWARD. SOME SOUND OF TIRE-METAL WAS BEING HEARD FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. WITH SOMEONE OUTSIDE, WE WERE SEEING AT LOW SPEED THAT THE WHEEL WAS ROTATING OFF AXIS AND EVEN TOUCHING THE CAR BODY. AFTER BEING T…

Read full complaint

AT 50 KM/H, WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OF 90 DEGREE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TURNING AND GOING STRAIGHT FORWARD. SOME SOUND OF TIRE-METAL WAS BEING HEARD FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. WITH SOMEONE OUTSIDE, WE WERE SEEING AT LOW SPEED THAT THE WHEEL WAS ROTATING OFF AXIS AND EVEN TOUCHING THE CAR BODY. AFTER BEING TOWING TO A CANADIAN TIRE, THE TECHNICIAN MENTIONED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER WAS SO ROTTEN IT WAS ACTUALLY BREAKING IN TWO PARTS AND IT WAS SO DANGEROUS, HE COULD NOT LET ME GO WITHOUT PART REPLACEMENT. THE MECHANIC TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT OTHER LANCER HAD THE PROBLEM EVEN A 2009 LANCER. THEY REFERRED ME TO THE TRANSPORT CANADA RECALL # 2016317, HOWEVER THIS ONE IS ONLY FOR LANCER 2003 TO 2006 (AND ALSO OUTLANDERS). NOTE THAT MY PROBLEM WAS THE SAME CAR PART AS THE RECALL MENTIONED ABOVE. I CALLED THE DEALER SHIP TO VERIFY THE CROSS MEMBER CAR PART VS THE OLDER MODEL AND THE PART NUMBER WAS DIFFERENT. I'M WONDERING HOW DIFFERENT FROM 2003 TO 2006 THE CART PART IS! THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT DODGE CALIBER HAS THE SAME CAR PART IN PROBLEM WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY. I FOUND THIS ARTICLE RELATED TO THIS HTTPS://CHRYSLER.OEMDTC.COM/457/FRONT-AND-REAR-CROSSMEMBER-CORROSION-X69-WARRANTY-EXTENSION-2008-2012-DODGE-CALIBER-JEEP-COMPASSPATRIOT/2

NHTSA ODI #11021345

200 miles · Aug 21, 2008
SteeringSuspensionTires

MY CAR, MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS MODEL 2008 IS PULLING TO THE SIDE. I GOT THIS CAR NEW, IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT FROM THE BEGINNING. AFTER THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT, THE CAR IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE AMOUNT OF PULLING IS VERY BIG, FOR EXAMPLE IF, AT 60-65MPH I RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL IT ROTATES RIGHT INSTANTLY WITH A HALF…

Read full complaint

MY CAR, MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS MODEL 2008 IS PULLING TO THE SIDE. I GOT THIS CAR NEW, IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT FROM THE BEGINNING. AFTER THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT, THE CAR IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE AMOUNT OF PULLING IS VERY BIG, FOR EXAMPLE IF, AT 60-65MPH I RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL IT ROTATES RIGHT INSTANTLY WITH A HALF A INCH, AND THE CAR CHANGES THE LANE TO THE RIGHT IN 3-4 SECONDS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR OR THE TIRES ARE WRONG, BUT THIS IS VERY SERIOOS SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. I'VE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR ISSUE, AND FOUND OUT THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE WITH MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. SO I BELIEVE MITSUBISHI KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT JUST DON'T WANT TO ADMIT IT. PLEASE SEE THIS LINK (15 PAGES): HTTP://FORUMS.EVOLUTIONM.NET/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=293784 . THANKS A LOT AND PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10239217

50 miles · Jul 30, 2008
Steering

I HAVE HAD AN 08 MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS FOR A YEAR NOW AND HAVE HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR PULLING LEFT SINCE THE VERY FIRST WEEK I OWNED IT. I'VE HAD THE CAR ALIGNED 5 TIMES NOW AND NO SUCCESS. THE CAR WILL DRIVE FINE FOR LESS THAN A WEEK AND IT STARTS TO PULL LEFT AGAIN, SOMETIMES DRIVING OFF THE LOT AFTER AN ALIGNMENT, …

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD AN 08 MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS FOR A YEAR NOW AND HAVE HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR PULLING LEFT SINCE THE VERY FIRST WEEK I OWNED IT. I'VE HAD THE CAR ALIGNED 5 TIMES NOW AND NO SUCCESS. THE CAR WILL DRIVE FINE FOR LESS THAN A WEEK AND IT STARTS TO PULL LEFT AGAIN, SOMETIMES DRIVING OFF THE LOT AFTER AN ALIGNMENT, IT WOULD STILL NOT BE CORRECTED. MY TIRES ARE WEARING UNEVENLY ON THE OUTSIDE EDGES AS WELL, AND ARE NOW THE TIRES ARE WORN DOWN TO THE TREAD INDICATORS. I NEED NEW TIRES BUT DON'T WANT TO WASTE THE MONEY WITHOUT A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM FIRST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236454

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2008
Steering

WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR ON MY WAY HOME I NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS PULLING TO THE LEFT. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD MY THAT THE AIR IN MY LEFT TIRE IS LOW ON AIR. THE DEALER TRY TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH NOT HELP. I THEN HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP EITHER. NOW MY TIRE IS WEARING OUT UNEVEN AND THE MI…

Read full complaint

WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR ON MY WAY HOME I NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS PULLING TO THE LEFT. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD MY THAT THE AIR IN MY LEFT TIRE IS LOW ON AIR. THE DEALER TRY TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH NOT HELP. I THEN HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP EITHER. NOW MY TIRE IS WEARING OUT UNEVEN AND THE MITSUBISHI WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR MY CAR TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229384

1 miles · May 29, 2008
Steering

2008 LANCER PULLS TO THE LEFT. A BIT MORE NOTICEABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. AGGRESSIVE PULL TO THE LEFT. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THEY DID NOTHING. I CALLED AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY HEARD NOTHING OF THIS PROBLEM DESPITE MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229207

Official recalls

5

20V279000 · Structure:frame And Members; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

May 18, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

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.

Consequence: 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.

18V071000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Jan 26, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

14V562000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys

Sep 12, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

09V435000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Nov 5, 2009

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER AND LANCER EVOLUTION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE HEAVY ROAD SALT IS USED IN THE WINTER, A LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO A MIXTURE OF MELTED SNOW WITH SALT THROWN UP BY THE OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD MAY CAUSE A WATER-SALT MIXTURE TO ADHERE TO THE FRONT IMPACT SENSORS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COATING OVER TIME MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE SENSOR. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH OF THE TYPE THAT WOULD DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS THIS TYPE OF SHORT-CIRCUIT MAY CAUSE A DELAY IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS WHICH COULD RESULT IN DRIVER OR PASSENGER INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS THAT HAVE IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT AT 1-888-648-7820.

09V077000 · Service Brakes, Air:supply:check Valve

Mar 10, 2009

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 39,711 MY 2008-2009 OUTLANDER AND LACER VEHICLES. INCORRECT MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE MAY CAUSE THE CHECK VALVE TO STICK CLOSED WHEN THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RE-STARTED AND PUT INTO MOTION, UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS (VERY SLOW VEHICLE MANEUVERS), THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT INITIAL BRAKING ASSIST.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.