Clean Feeds
Home › Recalls › Mitsubishi › Lancer › 2008

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer recalls, complaints and safety ratings

There are 5 US recalls for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, and 7 in Canada. Owners filed 91 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension.

5US recalls
0urgent recalls
91owner complaints
–overall crash rating

Is your car affected?

Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.

Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.

US recalls (5)

Structure: frame and members

2020-05-18 · campaign 20V279000 · 141,200 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

2018-01-26 · campaign 18V071000 · 56,641 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Engine and engine cooling: engine, gasoline

2014-09-12 · campaign 14V562000 · 165,923 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive

2009-11-05 · campaign 09V435000 · 29,353 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Service brakes, air: supply, check valve

2009-03-10 · campaign 09V077000 · 39,711 vehicles

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 and remedy

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.

Canadian recalls (7)

Show 7 Canadian recalls

Structure

2020-05-15 · campaign 2020-216

Issue: On certain vehicles, road salt can corrode the front cross-member (subframe). As a result, a lower control arm could eventually detach from the cross-member. This could cause a loss of vehicle control. Safety Risk: A loss of control can create the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mitsubishi will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the front cross-member (subframe). If no significant corrosion is found, the dealer will spray a sealing and anti-corrosion coating both inside and on the cross-member. If significant corrosion is found, the dealer will replace the cross-member.

Visual system

2018-10-26 · campaign 2018-588

On certain vehicles, water may drain from the windshield cowl area onto the front wiper link ball joint. Over time, this could result in corrosion and/or wear to the joint, which could result in the separation of the wiper link ball. If separation were to occur, the windshield wipers could become inoperative, which could limit the driver’s visibility under certain operating conditions which may increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the wiper link rod with a countermeasure one, and will replace the wiper motor crank arm with a new one.

Accessories

2018-01-26 · campaign 2018-054

On certain vehicles, the sunroof may not have been bonded properly and could separate from the vehicle. This could pose a risk to other road users, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly.

Airbag

2016-07-29 · campaign 2016-382

On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage, a mixture of snow, water and road-salt solution may infiltrate between the front impact sensor and the bracket that attaches it to the vehicle. Over time, repeated freezing/thawing cycles could cause a crack to develop in the sensor case allowing water intrusion and short circuit of the sensor. In the event of a crash, this could result in delayed deployment of the driver and passenger front airbags which would increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the front impact sensor and replace it if it is found to be cracked. An updated designed bracket and cover will also be installed.

Engine

2014-09-15 · campaign 2014-397

On certain vehicles, the drive belt material may cause abnormal pulley wear. If the vehicle is driven under this condition, the drive belt may become damaged from the worn pulley and detach, affecting electrical charging system and cooling system function and would illuminate the engine warning lamp(s) on the instrument panel. This could result in battery depletion and an overheated engine, resulting in a loss of motive power. Vehicles equipped with a hydraulic power steering system could also experience loss of power steering assist. These issues could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the drive belt, and the pulley will be replaced if it is found worn beyond a certain level.

Airbag

2009-11-09 · campaign 2009-317

On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage, the front impact sensors may corrode between the sensor bushing and sensor bracket. Over time, the corrosion may cause a crack to develop in the sensor case allowing water intrusion and short circuit of the sensor. This could result in delayed deployment of the driver and passenger front airbags during a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of personal injuries or death. Correction: Dealers will replace the front impact sensors.

Brakes

2009-03-06 · campaign 2009-072

On certain vehicles, the brake booster check valve may 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 manoeuvres), there may be insufficient initial braking assist, which could temporarily increase the stopping distance. This could result in a vehicle crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake booster check valve.

Owner complaints (91)

Owners filed 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer (8 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries reported). Among 18 model years of this model, it ranks #4 for the most complaints (median 30).

Most-reported problemComplaints
Suspension23
Engine13
Steering12
Power train11
Structure10
Electrical system7
Air bags7
Tires6

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer 4-DR w/SAB (Early release)–––4★
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer 4-DR w/SAB (Later release)–––4★

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for each 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer version.

VersionCity MPGHighway MPGCombinedYearly fuel cost
Lancer 2.0 L Automatic (variable gear ratios)222924$2,800
Lancer 2.0 L Manual 5-spd212924$2,800
Lancer Evolution 2.0 L Manual 5-spd162218$4,550
Lancer Evolution 2.0 L Automatic (S6)172219$4,350
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →

Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.