Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle sections of the applicable Service Manuals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Mitsubishi Outlander powertrain problems
severe 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 8 powertrain complaints filed for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 powertrain 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 powertrain 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 Automatic Transmission section of the affected Service Manual, to correct information in the diagnosis data list reference table for automatic transmissions F6AJA and W6AJA.
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
Mitsubishi outlander '08, paddle shifters are a poorly designed device for shifting gears on an automatic transmission, they are attached to the steering wheel beside the right and left turn signals and the windshield wipers. When you use the normal above two items your fingers automatically involuntarily shift the car into for instance, low gear!!! Horribly dangerous device, poor engineering…
We have a 2008 Mitsubishi outlander that we purchased in 2010. I was following my wife down the road and noticed that when she applied the brakes the brake lights sometimes did not come on. This is a huge safety problem. When we got home I tested it and found that about 20% of the time no brake lights would illuminate. I did some research online to see how difficult it would be to fix and…
July 3, at approximately 10:30 pm we came home and parked the car in the driveway which is at a slight incline. I got out of the vehicle to unload items from the back, and as I came around on the passenger side the car made a loud pop sound and the car began to roll backwards and was making an audible clicking noise. In an instant I was worried that the vehicle was going to run over one of my…
After turning the car on, it will get stuck in park and is a struggle to switch the gears from park to drive. This has been a problem. *tr
Had powertrain trouble with your 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander?
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 powertrain problem on the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 61,743 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/Outlander.
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.