2008 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls and problems

5 recalls and 91 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer.

5
recalls
91
owner complaints
8
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls

Structure: frame and members · Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm

NHTSA campaign 20V279000 · reported May 18, 2020 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · 141,200 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA campaign 18V071000 · reported January 26, 2018 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · 56,641 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Engine and engine cooling: engine, gasoline, belts and associated pulleys

NHTSA campaign 14V562000 · reported September 12, 2014 · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. · 165,923 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 09V435000 · reported November 5, 2009 · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 29,353 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Service brakes, air: supply, check valve

NHTSA campaign 09V077000 · reported March 10, 2009 · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 39,711 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
This may temporarily increase the stopping distance of the vehicle and therefore increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 28, 2024 · Electrical system · 98,000 miles

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. The contact stated he used the digital screen for the safety features. Upon further…

Dec 18, 2023 · Structure

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. The vehicle total loss record was for a accident that didn't effect that part of the car that's under recall, it was due to vehicle…

May 6, 2023 · Engine

The dealership that is repairing the drive belt recall, is attempting to charge me for the replacement of a damaged pulley.

Oct 18, 2022 · Suspension · 116,000 miles · crash reported

The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 45 mph, the vehicle began to roll out of the road and she was unable to steer back into the road. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle rolled over into a ditch. The contact stated no air bags…

Apr 24, 2022 · Suspension · crash reported

Our car crashed after getting off the highway in NJ. This appears to be related to Safety Recall Report 20V-279. The cross member has completely rusted and the driver side control arm came off, crashing the car and severely damaging the car, with loss of control. I have contacted Mitsubishi Motors but have received no…

Lancer model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2005 32430
2006 43750
2007 2200
2008 59182
2009 898113
2010 65151
2011 33410

Across all years, the 2003 Lancer has the most complaints (199). All Mitsubishi Lancer years →

Questions

Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, the most recent reported on May 18, 2020 (Structure: frame and members, Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is suspension (23 complaints), followed by engine (13).
How many 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer complaints mention a crash or fire?
8 of 91 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 6 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 28, 2024.