2008 Mitsubishi LANCER: complaints, problems and recalls

I BOUGHT THE 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER ES A FEW WEEKS AGO. EVERY TIME I BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE FRONT END OF THE CAR 'BOTTOMS OUT" AND SCRAPES ALONG THE PAVEMENT. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO MARK MITSUBISHI. THEY CHECKED OUT MY CAR AND ALTHOUGH THEY ADMITTED THAT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS SCRAPED UP THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID EVERYTHING "SPEC'D" OUT JUST LIKE THE OTHER NEW CARS ON THE LOT. I ASKED IF THE MORE EXPENSIVE VERSIONS OF THE 2008 LANCER HAD A ?BEEFED UP? SUSPENSION AND WAS TOLD; ? NO ALL 2008 LANCER?S HAD THE SAME SUSPEN…

Owner-reported narrative. 35 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203502 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. HE NOTICED THAT THE MANUAL PROVIDED INCOMPLETE AND INACCURATE INFORMATION ON HOW TO REPLACE THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BULB REPLACED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 287.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10204190 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WOBBLED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205501 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER IN APRIL 2007. AFTER ONLY OWNING THE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS IT WOULDN'T START. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WHERE IT WAS TESTED AND EXAMINED. ALL TEST CAME BACK PERFECT. FROM THEN ON THE CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT START. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP EVERY TIME THIS OCCURRED. IT WAS IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES AND FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 3 1/2 WEEKS. THE PROBLEM COULD NEVER BE DETECTED AND THERE FOR NEVER FIXED. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MITSUBISHI AND THE CAR WAS FINALLY DEEMED A LEMON. I RECEIVED ANOTHE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10205780 at NHTSA ↗

I HAD PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER IN APRIL 2007. AFTER HAVING THE CAR ONLY 2 WEEKS, IT WOULD NOT START. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS TESTED AND EXAMINED. ALL TESTS CAME BACK PERFECT. FROM THEN ON MY CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT START. EVERY TIME I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS IN THE SHOP 6 TIME FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 3 1/2 WEEKS! NOTHING COULD BE DETECTED THEREFORE NOTHING WAS EVER FIXED!! I FILED A CLAIM WITH MITSUBISHI AND MY CAR WAS FINALLY DEEMED A LEMON. I HAD RECEIVED ANOTHER BRAND NEW 2008 MITSUBIS…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10205785 at NHTSA ↗

IN RELATION TO THE MITSUBISHI LANSER 2008, WITH SLAT OF PUERTO RICO GZN-191 AND ACQUIRED IN THE MOTIVE DEALER BERRIOS CORP. DE HUMACAO, IN MAY, 2007. THIS VEHICLE A NOISE PRESENTS IN THE TRANSMISSION FOR WHAT WAS LED TO GUARANTEE, TODAY ON OCTOBER 24, 2007 TO THE DEALER BEFORE MENTIONED, HERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE ING. MR.. FILOMENO RAMOS LOPEZ LIC. * 2224. WHO DETERMINES THAT HAS TO STOOP THE TRANSMISSION OF THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED. FOR WHAT IN THIS LETTER I AM EXPRESSING MY OPINION, WHILE TO THAT WE DO NOT AGREE IN THE DECISION THOUGHT…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206762 at NHTSA ↗

MY 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER PULLS TO THE LEFT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING, BRAKING OR COASTING ON BOTH CROWNED AND UNCROWNED ROADS. IT IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON INTERNET WEB FORUMS FOR LANCER ENTHUSIASTS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10217765 at NHTSA ↗

SEAL FOR CRANKSHAFT PULLEY WEARS A RING THE THE PULLEY CAUSING THE PULLEY TO BECOME LOOSE AND LEAK OIL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 8,678 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224766 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-03-10 (March 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: 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.

Reported: 2009-11-05 (November 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: 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.

Reported: 2014-09-12 (September 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: 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.

Reported: 2018-01-26 (January 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: 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.

Reported: 2020-05-18 (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: 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.