The Lemon Index
2006
20098th generation
About average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Fewest complaints of its generation (8th generation).
50 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Honda Civic 1082008 Toyota Corolla 382008 Hyundai Elantra 124
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
- Rust / frame corrosion26 complaintsmostly at 47,000–140,000 miles (75,000–225,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm9 complaintsmostly at 32,000–157,000 miles (52,000–253,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,000 and 19,000 miles (1,600–31,000 km) (the middle half of the 38 complaints, of all 50 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V279000 (body structure), 18V071000 (visibility) and 14V562000 (engine) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 133 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Would hear a rattle from one of the doors”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mitsubishi's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 50 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 19K miles (2K to 31K km) on the car (38 of all 50 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Clutch disk dragging during disengagement, causing hard shifting and prematurely wearing the transmission synchronizers. Multiple complaints brought to mitusibishi, and no fox offered.
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer owner · NHTSA complaint 10259600
More owner reports
Underdrive pulley oil leak defect for all 2008 lancers with 4b11 engine.
NHTSA complaint 10247143
I own a 2008 Lancer with transmission problems won't go into 3rd or 4th gear and dealer wont fix it.
NHTSA complaint 10247509
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 37.4M views · 2008–2017 Mitsubishi Lancer
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring708K views
Mitsubishi Lancer 2007-2017 service light resetAutoMotiv8ed · 550K views · 3 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors284K views
Mitsubishi Lancer - EGR Repair & Cleaning - 2007-2015MINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 107K views · 5 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical260K views
2008-2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Starter Motor Replacement (How to DIY)Valley Mobile Automotive · 93K views · 4 videos - Transmission & shifter253K views
ACT Clutch Install: 2008 - 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0L and 2009 - 2017 Lancer 2.4LAdvanced Clutch · 133K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system137K views
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Thermostat ReplacementKendor Farms · 79K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition77K views
Mitsubishi No start Issue 2009 Lancer Won't Crank...Clicks...Fixed...Peter L · 77K views - Brakes & ABS45K views
2013 Mitsubishi lancer ES brake shoes replacementSalgadation Jr · 45K views - Fuel pump, filter & tank41K views
Change Fuel Filter / Fuel Pump - Mitsubishi Lancer 2007-2015 / Proton Inspira.MYAutoDIY · 41K views
Before you buy, watch
Is the 2013 Lancer CVT any good? Positives and chronic problems.Carros do Xenão · 239K views
Top 5 Problems Mitsubishi Lancer Sedan 2008-2017 2nd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 107K views
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS CVT Hill Climb ProblemsDuffmasterFresh · 60K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 133 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Would hear a rattle from one of the doors
- This is a technical service bulletin (tsb) that was sent to dealers
- This technical service bulletin, provided to dealers, provides instructions to remove the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Body structure · recall issued 2020
The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from.
- Visibility · recall issued 2018
The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
- Engine · recall issued 2014
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).
Show all 7 recalls
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2013
In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.
- Airbags · recall issued 2009
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, MAS…
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2009
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER EVOLUTION, RALLIART, AND SPORTBACK RALLIART VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TURBOCHARGED ENGINES.
- Service brakes, air · recall issued 2009
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 39,711 MY 2008-2009 OUTLANDER AND LACER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Mitsubishi Lancer recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Lancer year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 4 older years (2002–2007, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 9 Mitsubishi Lancer years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mitsubishi-lancer/?y=2008" title="Mitsubishi Lancer reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mitsubishi-lancer/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Mitsubishi Lancer reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 85; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mitsubishi Lancer year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (18%), body structure (16%) and tires (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
7 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer get?
18 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,000 and 19,000 miles (1,600–31,000 km) (the middle half of the 38 complaints, of all 50 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Mitsubishi Lancer year than the 2008?
Not nearby: the 2008 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mitsubishi Lancer years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works