2008 Mitsubishi Outlander problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (8) · Visibility/Wiper (7) · Exterior Lighting (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mitsubishi Outlander model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
41 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (9)
Structure:frame And Members 2020-05-18 · campaign 20V279000 · 141,200 vehicles
Defect: 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 c
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2018-01-26 · campaign 18V069000 · 141,053 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2018-01-26 · campaign 18V071000 · 56,641 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor 2017-07-20 · campaign 17V461000 · 100,082 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 2016-10-31 · campaign 16V791000 · 100,082 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-009.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2016-06-23 · campaign 16V458000 · 194,674 vehicles
Defect: 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 Co
Risk: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 that has a sealing/anti-corrosion agent applied to it. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-003.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2014-09-12 · campaign 14V562000 · 165,923 vehicles
Defect: 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 detachme
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2014-09-12 · campaign 14V564000 · 37,145 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Brake lights that are inoperative would not warn other drivers that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-010. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 08V-680 and does not include any vehicles that were previously recalled.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections 2014-06-25 · campaign 14V366000 · 203 vehicles
Defect: 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, t
Risk: A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-006.
Service bulletins (104)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Seat Belts 2025-11-21 · TECH TALK 289 · Other
tech talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. it covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.
Power Train 2024-06-03 · TSB-24-23-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Structure 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-24 · TSB-23-00-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this technical service bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) or 100 lbs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-04-21 · DEALER LETTER · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a dealer letter sent to dealers informing that mitsubishi technical training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.
Showing the 6 most recent of 104 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-28 · Suspension“my abs light and traction light on …”
2024-10-09 · Unknown Or Other“rusted suspension crossbody unsafe to drive. the brakes and calibers seem to always seize as well making this vehicle a death trap no matter how many times i get it fixed. …”
2021-06-10 · Suspension:subframe/Mounting Bracket · 138,000 mi“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…”
2021-04-29 · Suspension · 134,000 mi“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 - cause…”
2021-04-19 · Visibility/Wiper · 42,000 mi“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.…”
2021-03-12 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · 150,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 mitsubishi outlander equipped with general tires, tire line: grabber hts60, tire size: 215/70/r16, dot number: vybahmfe. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the tire loss half of the air pressure. the contact stated that the tire pressure warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independ…”
2021-03-09 · Suspension · 160,504 mi“i received a recall notice from mitsubishi related to a cross member of the frame. there was a problem with the vehicle and i took it in for service and they discovered a corrosion issue which i had they service garage fix and i paid for the repair. mitsubishi is denying the claim because they say that there was no deflection of the cross member.…”
2020-11-30 · Exterior Lighting · 176,104 mi“while braking, the driver side brake light is only working when the headlights are not turned on. i read up on mitsubishi recalling brake lights on outlanders and when i look up my vin for a recall there is not one on there for that. this is an extreme issue. last year we had it looked at, the whole light assembly replaced, the fuse replaced and ye…”
2020-09-09 · Suspension · 151,787 mi“cross member rusted through - unsafe to drive - had it fixed in march 2019 and mitsubishi will not reimburse me for the out of pocket costs before the recall was issued july 2020…”
2020-07-14 · Suspension · 148,500 mi“while having exhaust work done on my 2008 mitsubishi outlander in march of 2020, it was discovered that the front crossmember is rusted completely through. this vehicle has the 2.4l 4-cylinder engine. there was apparently a recall involving v6 outlanders for this issue, but none for the 4-cylinder model for what appears to be exactly the same probl…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.