Mitsubishi Lancer problems
91 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I heard a clunking noise. Parked and found rotten parts on tire. Mechanic said it cannot be fixed. Everything rotted. Needs whole new frame. We could have been killed.thank god I was close to home. Now I have nothing but an existing car loan for it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14v562000 (engine and engine cooling) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer stated that the part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 14v562000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part was not available for several…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi lancer. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v562000 (engine, engine cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?
On the NHTSA data, the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is suspension, with 16 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 92,833 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The suspension is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 92,833 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mitsubishi Lancer has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 91 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $900, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.