2008 Mitsubishi LANCER EVOLUTION problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
45,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 34 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 36 complaints (72.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 26 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 19 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Power Train: 26; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 19; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Equipment Adaptive/Mobility: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Seats: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 18 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 12; 2014: 14; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10552515 · 2013-11-15 (November 15, 2013)
(COMPLAINT IS APPLICABLE ONLY TO GSR TRIM EQUIPPED WITH A 5MT TRANSMISSION) - DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, AND SECOND TO THIRD. GEARSHIFT IS NOTCHY AND HARD TO ENGAGE. CAUSES LONGER THAN DESIRABLE TIME-GAP IN POWER TO THE WHEELS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF SPEED DURING ACCELERATION PHASE FROM A STOP. - GEARSHIFT IS NOT SMOOTH IN GENERAL. KEYWORDS : NOTCHY, GRINDING. - IT IS A WIDELY REPORTED PROBLEM IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AS EVIDENT FROM OWNER SURVEYS ON A PROMINENT INTERNET FORUM (SEE HTTP://FORUMS.EVOLUTIONM.NET/EVO-X-ENGINE-TUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10594401 · 2014-05-27 (May 27, 2014)
WENT TO DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION CHECK AND AFTER A MILE AWC LIGHT CAME ON THEY SAID IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH COMPUTER UPDATE THEY DID.MIND YOU MY TRANNY WAS GOING BAD AND DEALER DID NOT WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT EVEN UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 48,071 miles reported. Look up ODI 10594401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10578365 · 2014-04-08 (April 8, 2014)
AS MANY EVOLUTION OWNERS WHO LIVE IN THE MIDWEST CAN ALSO ATTEST, MY EXAMPLE NOW JOINS THE CLUB OF MODELS WITH DEFECTIVE ASC/AYC PUMP FAILURE. THE PUMP FAILS WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES RUN CLOSE TO FREEZING, ON TOP OF THE UNIT CORRODING, AND EVOLUTION OWNERS ARE BEING FORCED TO SHELL OUT $1800 MINIMUM TO MITSUBISHI FOR THE PUMP ALONE, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I BELIEVE THIS HAS ONLY OCCURRED TO MY MITSUBISHI AFTER SIX YEARS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT KEEPING THE UNDERBODY CLEAN, AND IT'S NEARLY ALWAYS PARKED IN A HEATED GARAGE. WITHOUT THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10578365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10524005 · 2013-07-09 (July 9, 2013)
THE S-AWC OR SUPER ALL WHEEL CONTROL SYSTEM ON THE MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION HELPS THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE TO ACTUALLY WORK. I HAD A SERVICE MESSAGE POP UP ON MY CAR WITH THE S-AWC SYSTEM BEING INDICATED. AFTER REVIEWING THE CAR'S MANUAL AND THE INTERNET TO HELP DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE OF WHY IT WAS CAUSING IT, I'M TOLD THERE IS AN EVER-INCREASING NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH THIS S-AWC PUMP FAILURE EITHER IN SUPER COLD CONDITIONS OR VERY HOT CONDITIONS. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THE PUMP ENDS UP GOING OUT WHEN SOMEONE IS MAKING A T…
Owner-reported narrative. 86,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10524005 at NHTSA ↗