2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)1136.7%
- Driver assistance413.3%
- Body & structure413.3%
- Steering310.0%
- Transmission310.0%
- Engine13.3%
- Brakes13.3%
- Electrical13.3%
- Airbags13.3%
- Fuel system13.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X FROM YEARS 2008 THROUGH THE CARS FINAL GEAR IN 2015 SUFFER FROM A DESIGN FLAW TO THE S-AWC SYSTEM. THE ACTIVE YAW CONTROL / ACTIVE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM RELIES ON A PUMP IN ORDER TO OPERATE . THE LOCATION IS UNPROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS AND THOUSANDS OF THEM HAVE FAILED TO DATE. . MINE FAILED WHICH RENDERED MY CAR TO NO LONGER DRIVE IN A PREDICTABLE OR SAFE MANNER. THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WAS COMPROMISED AND TRACTION CONTROL NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AS EXPECTED. INSTEAD OF THIS BECOMING A RECALL MITSUBISHI EXTENDED A WARRANTY TO REPLACE THIS EXACT COMPONENT RATHER THAN ADMITTING FAULT FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. THEY REFUSED TO WARRANTY MINE AS THIS EXCEPTION WAS ONLY MADE AFTER MY WARRANTY HAD ALREADY EXPIRED EVEN THOUGH MY PUMP FAILED BEFORE I HIT 100K MILES. THE ACD / AYC PUMP IS CRITICAL COMPONENT TO THE SAFETY AND STABILITY OF THE LANCER EVOLUTION 10 . EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO ONLY COVER A SMALL PORTION OF FAILURES IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DISHONEST. THE DESIGN IS UNSAFE AND THE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF THIS AND OTHER AFFECTED COMPONENTS IS EXTREMELY COSTLY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. ALL PUMPS WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AS THE SEALS EVENTUALLY FAIL AND CORROSION OF THE PUMP OR ELECTRIC MOTOR . THIS EFFECTS ALL EVOLUTION 10S REGARDLESS OF CLIMATE. HERE ARE OTHERS FACING THE SAME HTTPS://WWW.EVOLUTIONM.NET/FORUMS/EVO-X-ENGINE-TURBO-DRIVETRAIN/660431-ACD-AYC-PUMP-FAILURE-REPORTS-11.HTML HERE IS ONE COMPANY SELLING A KIT TO RELOCATE THE PUMP TO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR AS THIS HELPS TO PROTECT THE PUMP FROM THE ELEMENTS AND ULTIMATELY PREMATURE FAILURE HTTPS://WWW.DRIVEN-FABRICATION.COM/PRODUCTS/EVO-X-ACD-AYC-RELOCATION-KIT-PRE-ORDER THERE ARE ALSO AFTERMARKET COMPANIES OFFERING UPGRADED O RINGS AND REBUILD KITS SINCE MITSUBISHI ONLY REPLACES PUMPS WITH NEW ONES AND HASN'T ACTUALLY FIXED THE DESIGN
I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2016 FOR A FLASHING TARAMIC LIGHT AND THEY TOLD THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG. WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THEY NEGLETED TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THIS ISSUE WAS UNTIL 6 MONTHS LATER AND I JUST HAD REACHED 100,500 MILES ON THE CAR. I FOUND ON A FORM IT COULD BE THE A FLUID ISSUE, SO I WENT TO MITSUBISHI TO GET FLUID AND THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME OF THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I EVENTUALLY TOOK MITSUBISHI TO COURT FOR NEGLIGENCE AND LACK OF CARE AND THE CASE WAS THROWN OUT. I'M SICK OF DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X FROM YEARS 2008 THROUGH THE CARS FINAL GEAR IN 2015 SUFFER FROM A DESIGN FLAW TO THE S-AWC SYSTEM. THE ACTIVE YAW CONTROL / ACTIVE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM RELIES ON A PUMP IN ORDER TO OPERATE . THE LOCATION IS UNPROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS AND THOUSANDS OF THEM HAVE FAILED TO DATE. . MINE FAILED WHICH RENDERED MY CAR TO NO LONGER DRIVE IN A PREDICTABLE OR SAFE MANNER. THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WAS COMPROMISED AND TRACTION CONTROL NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AS EXPECTED. INSTEAD OF THIS BECOMING A RECALL MITSUBISHI EXTENDED A WARRANTY TO REPLACE THIS EXACT COMPONENT RATHER THAN ADMITTING FAULT FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. THEY REFUSED TO WARRANTY MINE AS THIS EXCEPTION WAS ONLY MADE AFTER MY WARRANTY HAD ALREADY EXPIRED EVEN THOUGH MY PUMP FAILED BEFORE I HIT 100K MILES. THE ACD / AYC PUMP IS CRITICAL COMPONENT TO THE SAFETY AND STABILITY OF THE LANCER EVOLUTION 10 . EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO ONLY COVER A SMALL PORTION OF FAILURES IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DISHONEST. THE DESIGN IS UNSAFE AND THE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF THIS AND OTHER AFFECTED COMPONENTS IS EXTREMELY COSTLY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. ALL PUMPS WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AS THE SEALS EVENTUALLY FAIL AND CORROSION OF THE PUMP OR ELECTRIC MOTOR . THIS EFFECTS ALL EVOLUTION 10S REGARDLESS OF CLIMATE. HERE ARE OTHERS FACING THE SAME HTTPS://WWW.EVOLUTIONM.NET/FORUMS/EVO-X-ENGINE-TURBO-DRIVETRAIN/660431-ACD-AYC-PUMP-FAILURE-REPORTS-11.HTML HERE IS ONE COMPANY SELLING A KIT TO RELOCATE THE PUMP TO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR AS THIS HELPS TO PROTECT THE PUMP FROM THE ELEMENTS AND ULTIMATELY PREMATURE FAILURE HTTPS://WWW.DRIVEN-FABRICATION.COM/PRODUCTS/EVO-X-ACD-AYC-RELOCATION-KIT-PRE-ORDER THERE ARE ALSO AFTERMARKET COMPANIES OFFERING UPGRADED O RINGS AND REBUILD KITS SINCE MITSUBISHI ONLY REPLACES PUMPS WITH NEW ONES AND HASN'T ACTUALLY FIXED THE DESIGN
I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR AND AM LEARNING MUCH NOW THAT MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I TOOK MY CAR TO BE DIAGNOSED AT FITZGERALD MITSUBISHI IN ANNAPOLIS MD, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN 800 OR 3100 DOLLAR FIX, DEPENDING ON WHICH JOB NEEDED TO BE DONE. THE BIG FIX IS THE AYC/ADC HYDRAULIC UNIT THAT PRESSURIZES THE CLUTCHES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. WHAT CAUSES THE FAILURE IS CORROSION. THIS UNIT IS PLACED BEHIND THE RH REAR TIRE AND HAS VERY LITTLE PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS. THIS UNIT NEEDS TO BE RELOCATED OR BETTER SHIELDING NEEDS TO BE ATTACHED. READING THE EVOLUTIONM.NET FORUMS, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS CORROSION IS VERY POPULAR AND THE REPAIRS ARE EXTREMELY PRICEY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PAINT IS CHIPPING ON THE BOTTOM SIDE, OF THE BACK REAR DOORS NEXT TO THE FENDER. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. AS TALKED IN THE FORUMS IN EDMUNDS.COM I HAVE A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION, WITH 3,500 MILES ON IT AND THE PAINT IS COMING OFF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND MITSUBISHI WONT DO ANYTHING I NEVER DROVE MY CAR IN GRAVEL, I THINK THE DESIGN FLAW HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE AERODYNAMICS OF THE CAR, AND POOR PAINT. *TR
PAINT CHIPPING PREMATURELY ON A NEW CAR. THE VEHICLE STARTED GETTING CHIPS ON THE FINISH JUST AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES. THIS HAPPENS ON THE LOWER PASSENGER DOOR AREAS. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN OFF ROAD. I BELIEVE THIS IS COMING FROM THE TIRES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X FROM YEARS 2008 THROUGH THE CARS FINAL GEAR IN 2015 SUFFER FROM A DESIGN FLAW TO THE S-AWC SYSTEM. THE ACTIVE YAW CONTROL / ACTIVE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM RELIES ON A PUMP IN ORDER TO OPERATE . THE LOCATION IS UNPROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS AND THOUSANDS OF THEM HAVE FAILED TO DATE. . MINE FAILED WHICH RENDERED MY CAR TO NO LONGER DRIVE IN A PREDICTABLE OR SAFE MANNER. THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WAS COMPROMISED AND TRACTION CONTROL NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AS EXPECTED. INSTEAD OF THIS BECOMING A RECALL MITSUBISHI EXTENDED A WARRANTY TO REPLACE THIS EXACT COMPONENT RATHER THAN ADMITTING FAULT FOR AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. THEY REFUSED TO WARRANTY MINE AS THIS EXCEPTION WAS ONLY MADE AFTER MY WARRANTY HAD ALREADY EXPIRED EVEN THOUGH MY PUMP FAILED BEFORE I HIT 100K MILES. THE ACD / AYC PUMP IS CRITICAL COMPONENT TO THE SAFETY AND STABILITY OF THE LANCER EVOLUTION 10 . EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO ONLY COVER A SMALL PORTION OF FAILURES IS UNACCEPTABLE AND DISHONEST. THE DESIGN IS UNSAFE AND THE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF THIS AND OTHER AFFECTED COMPONENTS IS EXTREMELY COSTLY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. ALL PUMPS WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AS THE SEALS EVENTUALLY FAIL AND CORROSION OF THE PUMP OR ELECTRIC MOTOR . THIS EFFECTS ALL EVOLUTION 10S REGARDLESS OF CLIMATE. HERE ARE OTHERS FACING THE SAME HTTPS://WWW.EVOLUTIONM.NET/FORUMS/EVO-X-ENGINE-TURBO-DRIVETRAIN/660431-ACD-AYC-PUMP-FAILURE-REPORTS-11.HTML HERE IS ONE COMPANY SELLING A KIT TO RELOCATE THE PUMP TO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR AS THIS HELPS TO PROTECT THE PUMP FROM THE ELEMENTS AND ULTIMATELY PREMATURE FAILURE HTTPS://WWW.DRIVEN-FABRICATION.COM/PRODUCTS/EVO-X-ACD-AYC-RELOCATION-KIT-PRE-ORDER THERE ARE ALSO AFTERMARKET COMPANIES OFFERING UPGRADED O RINGS AND REBUILD KITS SINCE MITSUBISHI ONLY REPLACES PUMPS WITH NEW ONES AND HASN'T ACTUALLY FIXED THE DESIGN
RECALL FOR DEFECT, NOTICE OCTOBER 2014. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I TOOK IN MY MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO TO LOCAL DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THIS CAR CURRENTLY HAS 3,300 MILES AND I'M HAVING PROBLEMS IN SHIFTING FROM SECOND GEAR TO THIRD.AT TIMES I NEED TO TAKE CLUTCH PEDAL OUT TWO TO THREE TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO ENGAGE. SOME TIMES TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE ALSO. DEALER HAD CAR FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND INDICATED ON THEIR WORK ORDER THAT THE CAR HAD NO PROBLEMS WHILE TEST DRIVING? *TR
CLUTCH DISK DRAGGING DURING DISENGAGEMENT, CAUSING HARD SHIFTING AND PREMATURELY WEARING THE TRANSMISSION SYNCHRONIZERS. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS BROUGHT TO MITUSIBISHI, AND NO FOX OFFERED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACD PUMP WENT OUT ON MY CAR. NO REAL REASON OTHER THAN THE LIE OF IT BEING COLD.... 20 DEGREES ISN'T TO COLD TO ME. EITHER WAY, WITHOUT THE ACD PUMP THE CARS AWD DOESN'T WORK TO STANDARD. WHAT AWD CAR ISN'T MADE FOR COLD. RIDICULOUS. HAPPENS TO ALOT OF EVOS. NEEDS RECOGNIZED AND RECALLED. ALSO MY TIMING CHAIN WENT AT 36K. NO TIMING CHAIN SHOULD GO OUT THAT EARLY NO MATTER WHAT. THEY TOLD ME ITS BECAUSE I DIDN'T CHANGE THE OIL TILL THEY DROPPED THE OIL PAN AND SAW THAT THEY WERE WRONG. THE CHAIN ISN'T MEANT TO HANDLE THE TORQUE OF THE CAR. THAT'S A MANUFACTURE MESS UP. ANOTHER ONE THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE/HAD THE ISSUE. AND ONE MORE, THE P.O.S. FUEL RELAY THAT DIES ON YOU AND COULD POSSIBLY BLOW YOUR MOTOR. THE FUEL PUMP AND TIMING CHAIN HAVE BOTH BEEN UPDATED YET NOT RECALLED. WHY? DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT THEY NOTICE THE PROBLEM, MAKE A NEW PART FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT DON'T FIX IT UNDER THEIR MISTAKE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MITSUBISHI RECALL 09V077000 IN THE PAST FEW DAYS, I NOTICED THAT WHILE IN MOTION MY BREAKS WERE NOT REACTING WITH THEIR TYPICAL SPEED. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR INTO A MECHANIC, THEY SAID IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR'S BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE AND THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THIS BACK IN 2009. I WAS CONCERNED AS I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR, FRANKLY, MORE RECALLS THAN I CAN EVEN REMEMBER, SO I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE THE MAINTENANCE. AFTER A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH WITH BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND MITSTUBISHI'S CUSTOMER SERVICE, IT TURNS OUT THAT MY CAR WAS NOT CONSIDERED AS IT WAS MADE "SIX MONTHS BEFORE." THIS IS REALLY ODD AS, FROM ALL THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE RECALL, NO TIMELINES WERE SPECIFIED, JUST THE MODEL YEARS AFFECTED. IF MY CAR WAS TRULY NOT IN THE NEED OF THE RECALL, THAT'S COMPLETELY FINE, BUT THE ANSWERS I RECEIVED REGARDING THIS REALLY DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME, AND I'D RATHER REPORT IT IN CASE MORE PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED THAN JUST TAKE IT AT FACE VALUE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE MITSUBISHI EVO X IF YOU LIVE IN A COLD AREA AND ROADS ARE SALTED FOR SNOW. THE LOCATION OF THE AWC PUMP IS NOT ENCLOSED ENOUGH SO THE SALT, ROAD CRAP GETS TO THE PUMP AND IT FAILS. MITSUBISHI SAID IT WOULD COST $2 GRAND TO REPLACE THE PUMP. YES $2 GRAND FOR A PUMP!!! MITSUBISHI NEEDS TO STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN AND READ ABOUT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER (09V435000) AIR BAG: FRONTAL: SENSOR CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,986. UPDATED 04/26/12 *BF UPDATED 05/10/12
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACD PUMP WENT OUT ON MY CAR. NO REAL REASON OTHER THAN THE LIE OF IT BEING COLD.... 20 DEGREES ISN'T TO COLD TO ME. EITHER WAY, WITHOUT THE ACD PUMP THE CARS AWD DOESN'T WORK TO STANDARD. WHAT AWD CAR ISN'T MADE FOR COLD. RIDICULOUS. HAPPENS TO ALOT OF EVOS. NEEDS RECOGNIZED AND RECALLED. ALSO MY TIMING CHAIN WENT AT 36K. NO TIMING CHAIN SHOULD GO OUT THAT EARLY NO MATTER WHAT. THEY TOLD ME ITS BECAUSE I DIDN'T CHANGE THE OIL TILL THEY DROPPED THE OIL PAN AND SAW THAT THEY WERE WRONG. THE CHAIN ISN'T MEANT TO HANDLE THE TORQUE OF THE CAR. THAT'S A MANUFACTURE MESS UP. ANOTHER ONE THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE/HAD THE ISSUE. AND ONE MORE, THE P.O.S. FUEL RELAY THAT DIES ON YOU AND COULD POSSIBLY BLOW YOUR MOTOR. THE FUEL PUMP AND TIMING CHAIN HAVE BOTH BEEN UPDATED YET NOT RECALLED. WHY? DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT THEY NOTICE THE PROBLEM, MAKE A NEW PART FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT DON'T FIX IT UNDER THEIR MISTAKE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .