2008 Mitsubishi Outlander: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander: 12 recalls, 58 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
12 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #08V094000 · 2008 · 5,400 vehicles
What's wrong: For vehicles without an electric power seat, the floor harness connector for the power seat is placed directly on the floorboard underneath the carpeting (vehicles with power seats already have the harness elevated). If a vehicle occupant enters the vehicle with a sufficient amount of snow on their feet containing road salt, it is possible for the melted snow mixture to soak the carpet and allow the salt-water…
Why it matters: The connector terminal May corrode and allow current to flow, resulting in the gradual heating and melting of the connector and May result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will relocate the floor harness from beneath both the passenger and driver seats to above the carpet and away from the bottom of the floorboard to prevent contact with any future melt solution. The recall began on April 7, 2008.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #08V680000 · 2008 · 21,493 vehicles
What's wrong: The brake lamp switch May malfunction and cause the stop lamps to not illuminate during brake application.
Why it matters: The failure of the brake lamps to illuminate when the brakes are applied will not provide warning to following traffic and could result in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch. The recall is expected to begin during February 2009.
Brakes (air) Vehicle recall #09V077000 · 2009 · 39,711 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This May temporarily increase the stopping distance of the vehicle and therefore increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the brake booster check valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during April 2009.
Steering Vehicle recall #14V366000 · 2014 · 203 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: A power steering fluid leak could result in a loss of steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #14V562000 · 2014 · 165,923 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the drive belt detaches, the battery May discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #14V564000 · 2014 · 37,145 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Brake lights that are inoperative would not warn other drivers that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #16V458000 · 2016 · 194,674 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: A detached front control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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…
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #16V791000 · 2016 · 100,082 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Loss of wiper function can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #17V461000 · 2017 · 100,082 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Failure of the wiper motor can cause a loss of visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #18V071000 · 2018 · 56,641 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mmna will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2018.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #18V069000 · 2018 · 141,053 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Body & structure, Suspension Vehicle recall #20V279000 · 2020 · 141,200 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (10): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (9): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (6), noise or vibration (4).
- Exterior lights (8): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Electrical (7): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
The 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander has 58 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 23 Outlander model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 58). Complaints peaked in 2017 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 9 years old, at a median of 99,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (125 complaints, 9 recalls), 2009 (46 complaints, 13 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?
Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (10), transmission & drivetrain (9), exterior lights (8).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.