PAINT CHIPPING FROM NORMAL DRIVING. *TR
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lancer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
61 reports with mileage · 30 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
91 reportsMY CAR, MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS MODEL 2008 IS PULLING TO THE SIDE. I GOT THIS CAR NEW, IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT FROM THE BEGINNING. AFTER THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT, THE CAR IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE AMOUNT OF PULLING IS VERY BIG, FOR EXAMPLE IF, AT 60-65MPH I RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL IT ROTATES RIGHT INSTANTLY WITH A HALF…
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MY CAR, MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS MODEL 2008 IS PULLING TO THE SIDE. I GOT THIS CAR NEW, IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT FROM THE BEGINNING. AFTER THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT, THE CAR IS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE AMOUNT OF PULLING IS VERY BIG, FOR EXAMPLE IF, AT 60-65MPH I RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL IT ROTATES RIGHT INSTANTLY WITH A HALF A INCH, AND THE CAR CHANGES THE LANE TO THE RIGHT IN 3-4 SECONDS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR OR THE TIRES ARE WRONG, BUT THIS IS VERY SERIOOS SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. I'VE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR ISSUE, AND FOUND OUT THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE WITH MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. SO I BELIEVE MITSUBISHI KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT JUST DON'T WANT TO ADMIT IT. PLEASE SEE THIS LINK (15 PAGES): HTTP://FORUMS.EVOLUTIONM.NET/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=293784 . THANKS A LOT AND PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*TR
CAR CONSTANTLY PULLS TO LEFT, EVEN AFTER REPEAT ALIGNMENTS BY DEALER. HAS BEEN SERVICES 3 TIMES WITHIN 9 MONTHS. NO IMPROVEMENT HAS BEEN MADE. FRONT TIRES ARE NOW GOING BALD AFTER 10,000 MILES. *TR
MY LANCER WILL DECELERATE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER PROGRAM AND THAT SOME OF THEIR CARS, JUST COMING OFF THE TRUCKS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY REFLASHED THE COMPUTER, THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR YESTERDAY WHEN ALL OF A…
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MY LANCER WILL DECELERATE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER PROGRAM AND THAT SOME OF THEIR CARS, JUST COMING OFF THE TRUCKS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY REFLASHED THE COMPUTER, THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR YESTERDAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED TO DECELERATE. I HAD THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND WAS GOING ONLY 20 MPH. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID TO FLASH IT AGAIN AND THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THAT DOES NOT WORK WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AT $750.00. *TR
I HAVE HAD AN 08 MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS FOR A YEAR NOW AND HAVE HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR PULLING LEFT SINCE THE VERY FIRST WEEK I OWNED IT. I'VE HAD THE CAR ALIGNED 5 TIMES NOW AND NO SUCCESS. THE CAR WILL DRIVE FINE FOR LESS THAN A WEEK AND IT STARTS TO PULL LEFT AGAIN, SOMETIMES DRIVING OFF THE LOT AFTER AN ALIGNMENT, …
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I HAVE HAD AN 08 MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS FOR A YEAR NOW AND HAVE HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR PULLING LEFT SINCE THE VERY FIRST WEEK I OWNED IT. I'VE HAD THE CAR ALIGNED 5 TIMES NOW AND NO SUCCESS. THE CAR WILL DRIVE FINE FOR LESS THAN A WEEK AND IT STARTS TO PULL LEFT AGAIN, SOMETIMES DRIVING OFF THE LOT AFTER AN ALIGNMENT, IT WOULD STILL NOT BE CORRECTED. MY TIRES ARE WEARING UNEVENLY ON THE OUTSIDE EDGES AS WELL, AND ARE NOW THE TIRES ARE WORN DOWN TO THE TREAD INDICATORS. I NEED NEW TIRES BUT DON'T WANT TO WASTE THE MONEY WITHOUT A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM FIRST. *TR
MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH PURCHASED 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS. TWO VEHICLES WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER IN OCTOBER. CHAD'S CARE HAS 13,000 MILES MINE 15,000 MILES. BOTH CARS NEED NEW TIRES. THE FRONT TIRES ARE DOWN TO THE THREAD ON BOTH CARS. THE BACK TIRES ON MINE ARE PASSES WEAR LINES. CHAD'S TIRES IN THE BACK ARE A LITTLE BIT B…
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MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH PURCHASED 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS. TWO VEHICLES WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER IN OCTOBER. CHAD'S CARE HAS 13,000 MILES MINE 15,000 MILES. BOTH CARS NEED NEW TIRES. THE FRONT TIRES ARE DOWN TO THE THREAD ON BOTH CARS. THE BACK TIRES ON MINE ARE PASSES WEAR LINES. CHAD'S TIRES IN THE BACK ARE A LITTLE BIT BETTER. OF COURSE WHEN CALLING THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHICH IS 45-60 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. SURPRISE ! WHAT DO I DO NOW AND WHERE ELSE CAN I TURN? PLEASE HELP! EMAIL US IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS. *TR
MY SON WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES STARTED TO PULSE UNCONTROLLABLY, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DOWN TO THE FLOOR. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT LIT UP. UNFORTUNATELY HE COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND HE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. THREE WEEKS LATER AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, I WENT TO GO START THE CAR AND THE CAR WOUL…
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MY SON WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES STARTED TO PULSE UNCONTROLLABLY, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DOWN TO THE FLOOR. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT LIT UP. UNFORTUNATELY HE COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND HE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. THREE WEEKS LATER AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, I WENT TO GO START THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP AND SOME OF MY ELECTRIC STOP WORKING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. AFTER TWO DAYS OF DIAGNOSTICS THEY SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH A WIRING HARNESS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THE DEALER THAT THE ABS WAS THE REASON WE HAD THE ACCIDENT IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THAT WAS WHEN THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM STARTED. THERE WAS A BILL FOR $423 THAT WE HAD TO PAY BECAUSE THE DEALER INSISTED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. I WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH MITSUBISHI TO SEE IF THIS CAN BE RECTIFIED. ALSO I DO HOPE SOMEONE WILL INVESTIGATE THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IT WAS VERY UNNERVING TO HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. *TR
WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR ON MY WAY HOME I NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS PULLING TO THE LEFT. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD MY THAT THE AIR IN MY LEFT TIRE IS LOW ON AIR. THE DEALER TRY TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH NOT HELP. I THEN HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP EITHER. NOW MY TIRE IS WEARING OUT UNEVEN AND THE MI…
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WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR ON MY WAY HOME I NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS PULLING TO THE LEFT. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD MY THAT THE AIR IN MY LEFT TIRE IS LOW ON AIR. THE DEALER TRY TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITH NOT HELP. I THEN HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE BUT THAT DIDN'T HELP EITHER. NOW MY TIRE IS WEARING OUT UNEVEN AND THE MITSUBISHI WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR MY CAR TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIX. *TR
2008 LANCER PULLS TO THE LEFT. A BIT MORE NOTICEABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. AGGRESSIVE PULL TO THE LEFT. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THEY DID NOTHING. I CALLED AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY HEARD NOTHING OF THIS PROBLEM DESPITE MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X GSR THE CAR HAS A PROJECTED MPG PER TANK OF 280. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FROM MILE 4 ON THE ODOMETER & HAVE NEVER GOTTEN OVER 195 MI PER TANK. I CONTACTED ANAHEIM MITSUBISHI WHERE I PURCHASED BY VEHICLE & THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE ISSUE & COULD NOT ASSIST BUT ONLY TOLD ME AFTER I HAD GONE THERE …
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2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X GSR THE CAR HAS A PROJECTED MPG PER TANK OF 280. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FROM MILE 4 ON THE ODOMETER & HAVE NEVER GOTTEN OVER 195 MI PER TANK. I CONTACTED ANAHEIM MITSUBISHI WHERE I PURCHASED BY VEHICLE & THEY KNEW NOTHING OF THE ISSUE & COULD NOT ASSIST BUT ONLY TOLD ME AFTER I HAD GONE THERE 2 TIMES FOR ASSISTANCE/CORRECTION ON THE ISSUE. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO SOUTH COAST MITSUBISHI & THEY KNEW OF THE ISSUE & STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ECU FLASH THAT WOULD CORRECT THE AIR/FUEL RATIO &A FEW OTHER ISSUES. AT THE TIME I TOOK IT IN FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WAS RUBBING & THAT ISSUE WAS FIXED BUT I AM STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CAR CONSUMING SO MUCH FUEL. I HAVE RESORTED TO LESS DRIVING, UNTIL SOMEONE CAN ACTUALLY PROVE TO ME THE ECU HAS BEEN FLASHED OR UNTIL MITSUBISHI ACTUALLY FIXES THIS ISSUE FOR REAL. *TR
Official recalls
520V279000 · Structure:frame And Members; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
May 18, 2020
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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
Additional source detail variants (2)
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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
Consequence: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 with a new one. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-20-003.
18V071000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Jan 26, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-003.
14V562000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
Sep 12, 2014
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. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-009.
09V435000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Nov 5, 2009
MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER AND LANCER EVOLUTION 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, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE HEAVY ROAD SALT IS USED IN THE WINTER, A LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO A MIXTURE OF MELTED SNOW WITH SALT THROWN UP BY THE OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD MAY CAUSE A WATER-SALT MIXTURE TO ADHERE TO THE FRONT IMPACT SENSORS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COATING OVER TIME MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE SENSOR. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH OF THE TYPE THAT WOULD DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS THIS TYPE OF SHORT-CIRCUIT MAY CAUSE A DELAY IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS WHICH COULD RESULT IN DRIVER OR PASSENGER INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS THAT HAVE IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT AT 1-888-648-7820.
09V077000 · Service Brakes, Air:supply:check Valve
Mar 10, 2009
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. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RE-STARTED AND PUT INTO MOTION, UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS (VERY SLOW VEHICLE MANEUVERS), THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT INITIAL BRAKING ASSIST.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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