Most common 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander problems
Share of the 58 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mitsubishi Outlander complaints by model year
Best Outlander years: 2012, 2013, 2019. Years to avoid: 2022, 2016, 2023, 2024, 2025. Compare all years →
2008 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls (12)
Structure › Frame and members
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced…
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Lancer, 2008-2012 Outlander, 2010-2012 Lancer Sportback, and 2011-2012 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with either a 4B11 or 4B12 engine. The drive belt automatic tensioner flange may crack, allowing the accessory drive belt to detach.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the belt tensioner with one that has an improved shape, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2018.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole. The water may cause internal corrosion of the windshield wiper motor and the possible failure of the motor.
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-003.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles manufactured September 8, 2006, to March 29, 2013. In the affected vehicles, water may enter between the hood and windshield and cause the front wiper link ball joint to corrode, possibly resulting in the wiper link…
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rubber boot on the ball joint to prevent water intrusion. Additionally, they will inspect the wiper motor crank arm for excessive play, replacing it as necessary.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 Lancer, 2004 Lancer Wagon, 2003-2006 Lancer Evolution, 2003-2006 Outlander and 2007-2013 Outlander V-6 vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…
Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front cross members. Depending on the level of existing corrosion, either a sealing/anti-corrosion agent will be applied or the front cross member will be replaced…
Show 6 more recalls
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Outlander vehicles manufactured December 15, 2006, to October 31, 2007, and April 16, 2008, to August 22, 2009.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began in mid-October 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2013 Outlander vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, Mitusbishi is recalling certain 2007-2012 Outlander vehicles that received replacement 6-speed automatic transmissions during servicing.
Remedy: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pressure tube and return tube, free of charge. The recall began in August 2014.
Service brakes, air › Supply › Check valve
Mitsubishi is recalling 39,711 my 2008-2009 outlander and lacer vehicles. Incorrect material composition of the brake booster check valve May cause the check valve to stick closed when the engine is shut off.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake booster check valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during April 2009. Owners May contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Mitsubishi is recalling 21,493 my 2007-2008 outlander vehicles equipped with LED type stop lamps and distributed in the united states and puerto rico. The brake lamp switch May malfunction and cause the stop lamps to not illuminate during brake application.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch. The recall is expected to begin during February 2009. Owners May contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037.
Seats
Mitsubishi is recalling 5,400 my 2007-2008 outlander passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Dealers will relocate the floor harness from beneath both the passenger and driver seats to above the carpet and away from the bottom of the floorboard to prevent contact with any future melt solution.
What 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander owners say
Suspension
The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, she heard an abnormal coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence. The contact took the vehicle to independent mechanic and was informed that the rear driver's side sub-frame cross member was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Mitsubishi has a limited recall for rusted crossmembers on 2008+ Outlander sports from certain states that used salt to treat snow. My daughter's 2008 Outlander has always been registered in satellite beach, fl, a very salty atmosphere. The front wheels wobble on acceleration and rapid deceleration because the crossmember is severely rusted - caused by the beachside salty location. It's unsafe to drive as the suspension components May break loose at any time. The NHTSA campaign no. 20V280000 should include salty, beachside locations like satellite beach. It is obviously a safety issue very similar to what NHTSA already acted on.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
The car is a Mitsubishi Outlander e.s 2008 with 42000 miles on it ,and the transmission is not shifting. I contacted Mitsubishi motors but since 10 years passed nothing could be done.I had been surfing internet and there are too many issues related to this type vehicles.
I received an interim "important safety recall" letter in December 2016 regarding the wiper link ball joint , potential corrosion and separation causing windshield wipers to stop operating. The letter indicated that no parts were available for the repair and that I would be contacted when the remedy parts were available. Approximately 6 months later, in early June, I received a bright orange "urgent recall repairs" postcard from my dealership about the same issue. I called the dealership, michaud mitsibushi in danvers, ma, and requested an appointment for recall repairs to the wiper system. The service department informed me that no parts were available, and that the postcard was simple a "pre-notification". They had no idea when parts would be available. In the mean time, I'm driving a vehicle whose wipers could fail at any time.
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander. When the contact shifted the gear into park an acceleration noise was heard from the transmission area of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 06/08/17 the consumer stated the failure could not be duplicated; therefore, the vehicle could not be repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The updated 09/09/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander. When the contact attempted to shift the vehicle into drive, an abnormal whining noise was heard. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
2008 Mitsubishi Outlander engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander a good car?
Based on 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Outlander rates average: 30% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Outlander at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The suspension — 10 complaints, 17% of all complaints for this model year, most often about subframe/mounting bracket. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (9) and transmission & drivetrain (9).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander have?
There are 12 recalls for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, the most recent from May 18, 2020 (frame and members). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mitsubishi Outlander?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2013 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2016, 2023, 2024 and 2025. See the full Mitsubishi Outlander years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 99,000 miles; 24% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.