Model year record

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 126 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V279000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
141,200
Reported to NHTSA
2020-05-18
Owners notified
2020-08-07

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 18V071000

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Component
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
56,641
Reported to NHTSA
2018-01-26
Owners notified
2018-02-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 14V562000

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

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
Manufacturer
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
165,923
Reported to NHTSA
2014-09-12
Owners notified
2014-10-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 09V435000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
29,353
Reported to NHTSA
2009-11-05
Owners notified
2009-11-27

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 09V077000

Service brakes, air: supply: check valve

Component
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve
Manufacturer
MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
39,711
Reported to NHTSA
2009-03-10
Owners notified
2009-05-04

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS MAY TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension22116,000 mi
Engine13119,000 mi
Steering124,300 mi
Electrical system795,000 mi
Power train798,000 mi
Structure: body75,000 mi
Air bags636,000 mi
Tires44,300 mi
Fuel system, gasoline34 mi
Service brakes312,876 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic313,000 mi
Structure3
Unknown or other315 mi
Wheels3174,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)212,876 mi
Engine and engine cooling224,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system229,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission27,000 mi
Seat belts2120,000 mi
Service brakes, air: supply: check valve214,000 mi
Vehicle speed control26,490 mi
Visibility/wiper2183,032 mi
Air bags: frontal1
Air bags: side/window133,435 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys18,678 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment adaptive/mobility129,691 mi
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Power train: driveline1
Power train: manual transmission110,000 mi
Service brakes, air114,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring195,600 mi
Suspension: front135 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems123 mi
Tires: tread/belt17,500 mi

The 2007 model has 42 times as many complaints as this one. The 2009 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.