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 DESI…
2008 Mitsubishi Outlander powertrain problems
severe 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 DISCOVER…
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 KID…
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
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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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