2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls and problems

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has 4 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mitsubishi dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
36
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls

Recall 14V-562: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Sep 12, 2014 · 165,923 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 13V-446: Power Train

Reported Sep 19, 2013 · 10,474 vehicles affected · Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Problem: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.

Risk: Failure of the clutch master cylinder reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.

Recall 09V-435: Air Bags

Reported Nov 5, 2009 · 29,353 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 09V-349: Fuel System, Other

Reported Sep 8, 2009 · 6,903 vehicles affected · MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: Mitsubishi is recalling model year 2008-2009 lancer evolution, ralliart, and sportback ralliart vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines. The manner in which the fuel return pipe is attached to the engine, in combination with frequent vehicle operation at certain engine revolutions, may result in a resonance that, if continued over time, may cause a stress crack to develop at the fixed portion of the fuel pipe.

Risk: If this stress crack develops, fuel leakage may occur. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: The fuel return pipe will be replaced with a new part and two additional attachment brackets will be installed to better control fuel pipe vibration. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on september 29, 2009. Owners may contact mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train26
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)19
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility2
Structure1
Seats1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Tires1
Suspension1
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Unknown or Other1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 45,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · reported Oct 25, 2018
Aye/ hydralic pump was never changed out was told when I went to do a manufacturing recal that it worked fine when it didnt and after wards hit past the 100,000 miles and was automatically unable to get the replacement.
Power Train · reported Dec 17, 2014
Acd/ ayc pump failure, one time I was doing fluid inspection on my car when I notice the cars atf fluid reservoir in the trunk is losing oil. Looked at the floor found some red oil dripping. It may have seem that pump may have been failing to hold pressure and lose oil. Possible gasket failure or pump crack. Been searching online for similar problems, I found out it seemed to be mostly every owners problem. Is this suppose to be covered by manufacturer? Seem like poor material build.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · at 29,768 miles · reported Dec 8, 2014
Vehicle was in cold weather, ayc system light turned on. I checked the forums and found that this is a common issue that indicates the pump is bad. This is a very common problem.
Power Train · at 66,000 miles · reported Nov 20, 2014
It was a cold winter day, I started driving my evo to a nearby grocery store. Enroute, the AWD system would throw a warning and a dashboard light lit up. I was concerned, stopped the vehicle and found no leaks or no weird noises. The vehicle was unable to shift into snow/tarmac/gravel mode. Fortunately I was not stranded on the road side. Upon further investigation I came to know that the acd pump failed and hence it threw an AWD error. Its costing about 2200 dollars to fix this issue.
Power Train · at 67,000 miles · reported Oct 2, 2014
When starting my 2008 mitsubishi lancer evolution gsr, I received a warning message on the cluster display showing a yellow-orange symbol that shows 4 wheels connected by axles and the middle-shaft, where the front two wheels are facing at an angle to the side. The error code read as c161e: dtc c161e: electric pump relay circuit system (Stuck). This has become a very common issue with the 2008 mitsubishi lancer evolution. So common that when you search for the code c161e, you can find countless forum discussions on multiple websites commenting on the frequency of this issue. Including myself…

Other Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years

Compare all Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution years · All Mitsubishi models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: 14V-562 (engine and engine cooling), 13V-446 (power train), 09V-435 (air bags), 09V-349 (fuel system, other). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?

Owners report power train problems most often (26 reports), followed by electronic stability control (esc) (19). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 45,000 miles.

Are Mitsubishi recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mitsubishi dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.