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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.

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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

Tires complaints

6 reports
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23 miles · Aug 16, 2009
Tires

I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS I BOUGHT MY CAR TWO YEARS AGO IN 2007 AND THE CAR IS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCE AND RIGHT NOW THE CAR SAYING THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM. THE CAR CONSUMES ALOT OF GAS FOR EXAMPLE YESTERDAY I PUT TEN DOLLARS IN THE AFTERNOON AND IN THE NIGHT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY …

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I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS I BOUGHT MY CAR TWO YEARS AGO IN 2007 AND THE CAR IS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCE AND RIGHT NOW THE CAR SAYING THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM. THE CAR CONSUMES ALOT OF GAS FOR EXAMPLE YESTERDAY I PUT TEN DOLLARS IN THE AFTERNOON AND IN THE NIGHT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY GAS. THE DEALER WAS VERY RUDE BECAUSE ITS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED. LAST YEAR THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING HAD A DEFECT AND THEY FIXED IT BECAUSE I CALLED MY BANK AND TOLD THEM DON'T SEND THE CAR PAYMENT THROUGH. AND THEY WILL GIVE A NUMBER TO CONTACT SOME PRINCIPAL MITSIBISHI WHERE THEY ARE VERY RUDE TO ME BECAUSE I HAVE A HEAVY ACCENT AND CAN'T SPEAK ENGLISH VERY WELL. IF I GET THE CARE FIXED IT WILL COST ME LIKE 350-400 TO FIX IT THANKS THANKS A LOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280564

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…

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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

10,000 miles · Aug 18, 2008
SuspensionTires

CAR CONSTANTLY PULLS TO LEFT, EVEN AFTER REPEAT ALIGNMENTS BY DEALER. HAS BEEN SERVICES 3 TIMES WITHIN 9 MONTHS. NO IMPROVEMENT HAS BEEN MADE. FRONT TIRES ARE NOW GOING BALD AFTER 10,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238785

15,000 miles · Jul 15, 2008
Tires

MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH PURCHASED 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS. TWO VEHICLES WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER IN OCTOBER. CHAD'S CARE HAS 13,000 MILES MINE 15,000 MILES. BOTH CARS NEED NEW TIRES. THE FRONT TIRES ARE DOWN TO THE THREAD ON BOTH CARS. THE BACK TIRES ON MINE ARE PASSES WEAR LINES. CHAD'S TIRES IN THE BACK ARE A LITTLE BIT B…

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MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH PURCHASED 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS. TWO VEHICLES WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER IN OCTOBER. CHAD'S CARE HAS 13,000 MILES MINE 15,000 MILES. BOTH CARS NEED NEW TIRES. THE FRONT TIRES ARE DOWN TO THE THREAD ON BOTH CARS. THE BACK TIRES ON MINE ARE PASSES WEAR LINES. CHAD'S TIRES IN THE BACK ARE A LITTLE BIT BETTER. OF COURSE WHEN CALLING THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHICH IS 45-60 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. SURPRISE ! WHAT DO I DO NOW AND WHERE ELSE CAN I TURN? PLEASE HELP! EMAIL US IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234402

4,300 miles · May 24, 2008
SteeringTires

THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT VERY STRONGLY, AND HAVE HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP 3-4 TIMES TO HAVE THEM TRY AND FIX IT WITH NO AVAIL. THEY ALIGNED IT AND ROTATED THE TIRES, BUT THIS FIXED NOTHING. I STRESSED MY CONCERN WITH THIS THAT THE TIRES WOULD WEAR OUT FAST SINCE IT ISN'T ALIGNED RIGHT, AND NOW, AT 4300 MILES, ALL FOUR TIR…

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THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT VERY STRONGLY, AND HAVE HAD THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP 3-4 TIMES TO HAVE THEM TRY AND FIX IT WITH NO AVAIL. THEY ALIGNED IT AND ROTATED THE TIRES, BUT THIS FIXED NOTHING. I STRESSED MY CONCERN WITH THIS THAT THE TIRES WOULD WEAR OUT FAST SINCE IT ISN'T ALIGNED RIGHT, AND NOW, AT 4300 MILES, ALL FOUR TIRES ARE WORN OUT BAD, FEATHERED ON THE OUTSIDE, AND INSIDE IS ALMOST DOWN TO 2/32NDS, AND THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MITUSBISHI THEMSELVES, AND AFTER REVIEWING THE CASE, SAID THE CAR IS FINE, AND ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE EVEN WEAR AND THEY CLOSED THE CASE, EVEN THOUGH ALL THE TIRES ARE WORN OUT DIFFERENT, SOME WORSE THAN OTHERS, AND THE CAR STILL PULLS TO THE LEFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228820

7,500 miles · May 16, 2008
StructureTires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER. IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE CABIN. ALSO, THE TIRES HAVE PREMATURE TREAD WEAR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND PERFORMED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER. IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE CABIN. ALSO, THE TIRES HAVE PREMATURE TREAD WEAR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND PERFORMED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE TIRE TREAD DISPLAYED ABNORMAL WEAR AGAIN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REALIGN THE TIRES AND REPLACE ALL FOUR AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA ODI #10227982

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.