2008 Mitsubishi Outlander
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 116 |
| 2004 | 52 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 21 |
| 2007 | 125 |
| 2008 | 58 |
| 2009 | 46 |
| 2010 | 60 |
| 2011 | 58 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2013 | 26 |
| 2014 | 45 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2016 | 141 |
| 2017 | 51 |
| 2018 | 55 |
| 2019 | 29 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2022 | 208 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
16% of complaints: suspension — 9 distinct reports on file.
14% of complaints: exterior lighting — 8 distinct reports on file.
12% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 7 distinct reports on file.
12% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF(FOR 15 MINUTES), THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT(HEATED SEAT) CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED QUICKLY AND EXTINGUISHED BEFORE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TOOK PLACE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140617
RADIO DISPLAY CAN NOT BE SEEN DURING THE DAY ESPECIALLY WITH SUNROOF OPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20080430
VEHICLE SEEMS TO HESITATE FROM STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION DEALER SAID WITHOUT A BULLETIN FROM MITSUBISHI THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.
NHTSA ODI report, 20080430
10% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
JULY 3, AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 PM WE CAME HOME AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY WHICH IS AT A SLIGHT INCLINE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130823
SAFETY TIMELINE
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 5,400 MY 2007-2008 OUTLANDER PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MAR
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE FLOOR HARNESS FROM BENEATH BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS TO ABOVE THE CARPET AND AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOORBOARD TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH ANY FUTURE MELT SOLUTION
Campaign 08V094000 — check if this car was fixed
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 21,493 MY 2007-2008 OUTLANDER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH LED TYPE STOP LAMPS AND DISTRIBUTED IN THE UNITED STATES AND PUERTO RICO. THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUS
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.
Campaign 08V680000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Campaign 14V366000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Outlander vehicles manufactured December 15, 2006, to October 31, 2007, and April 16, 2008, to August 22, 2009.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began in mid-October 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Campaign 14V564000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members.
Campaign 16V458000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles manufactured September 8, 2006, to March 29, 2013.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rubber boot on the ball joint to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, they will inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, replacing it as necessary.
Campaign 16V791000 — check if this car was fixed
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-003.
Campaign 17V461000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Campaign 18V069000 — check if this car was fixed
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 Outlander — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility/wiper issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 08V094000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V680000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V077000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V366000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V564000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V562000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V458000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V791000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V461000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V071000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V069000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V279000 (structure, suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
12 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.