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 inspection, the battery would be drained at an abnormal rate while using the Bluetooth features, and the Bluetooth would not work outside of the local dealer parking lot. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the digital screen and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The worst 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Suspension23
- Engine16
- Steering12
- Transmission11
- Body10
- Brakes9
- Airbags7
- Electrical7
- Tires6
- Fuel system5
- Wheels3
- Acceleration2
- Driver assistance2
- Lights2
- Seat belts2
- Visibility2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
Recalls 5
Structure: frame and members
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 20V279000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V071000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 14V562000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 09V435000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 09V077000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer 101
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd...
- This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load...
- This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of...
- This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd...
- This TSB provides revisions to the Removal and Installation procedures for the rocker cover due to changes...
- This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew...
- This Technical Information Notice provides additional instructions to dealers when replacing the Valve...
- Technical Information Notice sent to dealerships to advise ofrevision changes to TSB "SR-20-003REV_2"
- Revision to previous TSB SR-20-003 for the Crossmember recall
- This TSB was sent to dealers as an update to SR-20-003REV_1 issued in July 2020 and provides updates to...
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-22 | 29 | 24 |
What 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 repairs were more then what car was worth. The piece I think they call it crossmember has rust holes through it and is about to come apart at the rusted holes on the part. We buy the car JA3AU86U18U016308 in 2022 for our daughter to drive to college. Just finding out when we took it into the car place to perform this recall they won't do the recall because of Mitsubishi. I filled this out for my dad, he bought car for me.
The dealership that is repairing the drive belt recall, is attempting to charge me for the replacement of a damaged pulley.
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 deployed. The contact stated the driver hit her head and sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V279000 (Structure, Suspension). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
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 response from them. There was no warning sign, and the car was on the highway at highway speeds before an exit ramp was taken when the car crashed.
The airbags light came on after I bought the car and I am afraid of I get in an accident they will not deploy my mechanic said I would have to go to a car dealership about it... The brakes also fail if I try to stop abruptly they go to the floor and do not stop the vehicle... The brakes are the worst when I am driving slowly and try to come to a stop. I have taken my car to the dealership and was told that my brakes are in good condition and the mechanic didn't understand why the car was having issues stopping.
Air bag light turn on and off
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 25 MPH, when the cross member snapped and detached from the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was unable to control the vehicle and jumped the curb. The driver sustained a dislocated right thumb and did not seek medication attention. No police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to independent mechanic and was informed the cross member, unknown tie rod and ball joint was needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v279000 (structure, suspension), however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called to unknown dealer where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was unknown. (recall related incident) ts
Front lower control arms -tearing bushings, torn boots both outer tie rod ends - torn boots timing cover separate
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.
Compare the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
Other model years
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Questions about the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Owners have filed 91 complaints about the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, 2.7 times a typical Lancer model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer year score?
The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer scores 36 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Suspension, with 23 complaints, typically around 116,727 miles. Next is engine (16).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
5 recalls, covering structure, visibility and engine and engine cooling.
What year does the Mitsubishi Lancer have bad suspension?
The Mitsubishi Lancer model years with the most suspension complaints are 2008 (23 complaints), 2002 (15 complaints) and 2003 (10 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer range from 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-22 city and 29 highway.
VIN decoder
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