The Lemon IndexAll carsMitsubishiOutlander2008
200720092nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 13,471 in the U.S. in 2008 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota RAV4 1042008 Honda CR-V 462008 Nissan Rogue 76
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander
- Rust / frame corrosion12 complaintsmostly at 138,000–150,000 miles (222,000–241,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander (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
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V279000 (body structure), 18V069000 (engine) and 18V071000 (visibility) done? It has 12 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Mitsubishi sent dealers 104 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This technical service bulletin, provided to dealers, provides instructions to remove the…”?
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 10 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 (9 of all 10 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
Radio display can not be seen during the day especially with sunroof open.
2008 Mitsubishi Outlander owner · NHTSA complaint 10226118
Problems Mitsubishi told dealers about
Mitsubishi sent dealers 104 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This technical service bulletin, provided to dealers, provides instructions to remove the…
- This is a Technical Service Bulletin, sent to dealers, providing updates to the Chassis…
- This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 12
- 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.
- Engine · recall issued 2018
The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
- Visibility · recall issued 2018
The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Show all 12 recalls
- Visibility · recall issued 2017
In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole.
- Visibility · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.
- Suspension · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross me.
- Lights · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction causing the brake lights to not illuminate during brake application.
- 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).
- Steering · recall issued 2014
A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Service brakes, air · recall issued 2009
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 39,711 MY 2008-2009 OUTLANDER AND LACER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2008
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 21,493 MY 2007-2008 OUTLANDER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH LED TYPE STOP LAMPS AND DISTRIBUTED IN THE UNITED STATES AND PUERTO RICO.
- Seats · recall issued 2008
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 5,400 MY 2007-2008 OUTLANDER PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS…
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 Outlander recall, all years · All Mitsubishi recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Mitsubishi Outlander year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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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-outlander/?y=2008" title="Mitsubishi Outlander reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" 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-outlander/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Mitsubishi Outlander reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
We can't score it: only 13,471 were sold in the U.S. in 2008 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (30%), transmission & drivetrain (30%) and visibility (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
12 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 Outlander get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 30% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Mitsubishi Outlander year is better than the 2008?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2020 drew the fewest (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
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