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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Mitsubishi OutlanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 58 owner complaints for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander. Most complaints involve suspension (10) and power train (9). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
12campaigns
Latest May 2020
Owner complaints
58
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

12 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported May 18, 2020NHTSA 20V279000

Engine and engine cooling: belts and associated pulleys

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jan 26, 2018NHTSA 18V069000

Visibility: sun

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Jan 26, 2018NHTSA 18V071000
See all 12 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

58 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2008 – May 2026
  1. Suspension10
  2. Power train9
  3. Exterior lighting8
  4. Visibility/wiper7
  5. Electrical system7
  6. Service brakes5
  7. Engine5
  8. Structure5
  9. Engine and engine cooling4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Outlander model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003129
200452
200519
200621
2007125
200858
200946
201060
201188
201236
201368
201445
2015238
2016171
201751
201857
201929
202032
2022219
202350
202426
202516
20263
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

10 reports
“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 sub-frame cross member was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2021SuspensionODI 11420380

Power train

9 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2021Suspension, Power train, Visibility/wiperODI 11412885

Exterior lighting

8 reports
“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 YET NOTHING WORKED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 30, 2020Exterior lightingODI 11377107
All 2008 Outlander problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Outlander 2WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202522$2,850404
Outlander 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202522$2,850404
Outlander 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100444
Outlander 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Outlander 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2486
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Outlander questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander have?

12 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander problems?

Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (10), power train (9), exterior lighting (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026