2008 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander.

20072009
Complaints
77
per 10K Sold
57.2
US Sales
13,471
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
9

Worst 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#18 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

Avg mileage:99,184 mi
#28 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:118,465 mi
#37 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:64,150 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander.

Headlight/Taillight Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
99,184
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
118,465
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
64,150
Wipers & Visibility
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
42,000
Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
76,500
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
129,712
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Side/Rear Glass
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Subframe/Mounting Bracket
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander

9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~937,003 vehicles.

20V279000Structure:frame And Members · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~141,200 affected

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.

18V069000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
~141,053 affected

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.

18V071000Sunroof/Moonroof
~56,641 affected

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.

17V461000Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
~100,082 affected

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.

16V791000Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
~100,082 affected

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 separating and the wipers becoming inoperative.

16V458000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~194,674 affected

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, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.

14V562000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys
~165,923 affected

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.

14V564000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
~37,145 affected

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. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction causing the brake lights to not illuminate during brake application.

14V366000Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
~203 affected

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. The transmissions in these vehicles have insufficient clearance between the power steering pressure tube and the converter housing of the automatic transmission. As a result of the contact, the power steering pressure tube may develop a hole and leak power steering fluid.

Other Mitsubishi Outlander Years

2008 Mitsubishi Outlander — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander has 77 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Headlight/Taillight Failures with 8 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Top reported problems: Headlight/Taillight Failures (8 complaints, avg 99,184 mi); Suspension Failures (8 complaints, avg 118,465 mi); Electrical Faults (7 complaints, avg 64,150 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 87,605 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander include 1 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander have any recalls?
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 937,003 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Mitsubishi Outlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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