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#BS-2008-MITLAN-77802008 Mitsubishi Lancer
Based on reports from 126 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 126 complaints, 12 crashes, 2 fires, and 5 recalls.
Top reported problems
subframe rot
4 complaints • Severity 10/10
poorly designed bumper
1 complaints • Severity 4/10
srs warning light is on
1 complaints • Severity 6/10
Preview: What's in your full report
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
22 owners reported suspension issues — failures commonly reported around 33K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (41 reports) • Median: 33K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Suspension (22 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Suspension Issues
Suspension complaints account for 17% of all reports filed for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, with 22 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 33,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 33K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, with 15 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, with 12 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, with 7 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
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.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Mitsubishi Lancer is the 2011 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer vs. Class Average (Compact Cars)
This vehicle
126
Class avg
265
Below the class average — fewer complaints than typical compact cars vehicles. A good sign.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 126 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Mitsubishi Lancer Model Years
View all Mitsubishi Lancer years →2008 Mitsubishi Lancer: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?
Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have any recalls?
What mileage do Mitsubishi Lancer problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
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Get the Full 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 126 owner reports. Know before you buy.