Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc
Brake lights that are inoperative would not warn other drivers that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
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moderate Owners of the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Outlander | 5 |
| 2007 Outlander | 7 |
| 2008 Outlander (this page) | 5 |
| 2009 Outlander | 4 |
Of the 5 lighting complaints filed for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
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.
All 2 active lighting recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Brake lights that are inoperative would not warn other drivers that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
The failure of the brake lamps to illuminate when the brakes are applied will not provide warning to following traffic and could result in a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting 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 Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This TSB clarifies the stop light switch installation and adjustment procedure in the affected service manuals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
While braking, the driver side brake light is only working when the headlights are not turned on. I read up on Mitsubishi recalling brake lights on outlanders and when I look up my VIN for a recall there is not one on there for that. This is an extreme issue. Last year we had it looked at, the whole light assembly replaced, the fuse replaced and yet nothing worked.
Low beam headlamps have been going completely out. This happened when in motion on a highway . It is difficult to navigate and be seen when this happened. I have taken the vehicle to a Mitsubishi dealer for repair but the problem has recurred 4 times. I have been told a relay was burnt out three times and had been replaced. Another time I was told there was an internal short. Usually the repair…
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Based on the 5 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 125,276 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.
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting 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.
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover lighting issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.