This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution body problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 5 body complaints filed for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin updates the Body section of the affected Service Manuals to update diagnostics for ETACS-ECU CAN timeout with DTC U0141.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Paint chipping prematurely on a new car. The vehicle started getting chips on the finish just after a few hundred miles. This happens on the lower passenger door areas. The car is not driven off road. I believe this is coming from the tires. *tr
Purchase my 2008 mitsubushi evolution x about one month ago with 2,900miles. I don't drive it often since I have a company car. My current miles is 4,400miles. I am beginning to notice alot of small chips toward the back doors bottom corner near quarter panel on both side of the vehicle. Been on many forums and alot of evo x owner are experiencing the same paint problem.the road condition here…
Less than a week after purchasing my new 2008 Mitsubishi lancer evolution gsr I noticed rock chips in the lower rear corners of the rear doors, just ahead of the clear protective film already installed by the manufacturer to prevent paint chipping. *tr
The car will kick up any small rocks and chip the rear doors and side skirts. I have installed mud guards, but does not help either. *tr
Had body trouble with your 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 3,033 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Mitsubishi/Lancer Evolution.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.