MYRModel Year Report

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

● Typical for this model
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:33:54.326Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mitsubishi Lancer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 1996: 1 complaints 1996 2000: 1 complaints 2002: 148 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 80 complaints 2005: 24 complaints 2006: 37 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 91 complaints 2008 2009: 98 complaints 2009 2010: 51 complaints 2011: 34 complaints 2012: 19 complaints 2012 2013: 5 complaints 2014: 16 complaints 2015: 23 complaints 2015 2016: 29 complaints 2017: 6 complaints 2017
2008: 91 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
20001
2002148
2003199
200480
200524
200637
20072
200891
200998
201051
201134
201219
20135
201416
201523
201629
20176

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SUSPENSION 24%

24% of complaints: suspension — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ENGINE 14%

14% of complaints: engine — 13 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 13%

13% of complaints: steering — 12 distinct reports on file.

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

MY SRS LIGHT JUST STARTED COMING ON A FEW YEARS AGO BEFORE WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20201009

We had car at a car dealer and the manufacturer declined doing the recall on the car for corrison on the front crossmember, telling us due to car has a total loss record on Carfax.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231218

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that after a while the system would erase any safety information used to track mileage and only show the GPS feature on the digital screen with information from 2004.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240828

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20090504 — service brakes, air

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

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.

Campaign 09V077000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091127 — air bags

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,

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 CONTAC

Campaign 09V435000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20141015 — engine and engine cooling

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.

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.

Campaign 14V562000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180227 — visibility

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.

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.

Campaign 18V071000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200807 — structure, suspension

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

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.

Campaign 20V279000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09V077000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V435000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V562000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V071000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V279000 (structure, suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2011 ▲ 2006 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ◆ 2002 ● 2009

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.