RoadVitals

2008 Mitsubishi Outlander

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
58
Latest May 28, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
12
Latest May 18, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 58 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, most frequently naming the suspension, engine and visibility categories. 12 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 104 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

12 campaigns cover this model year

View all 12

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V279000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

May 18, 2020
141,200 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-20-003View on NHTSA.gov
18V071000

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Jan 26, 2018
56,641 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the sunroof glass detaches from the assembly while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-18-003View on NHTSA.gov
18V069000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

Jan 26, 2018
141,053 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-18-001.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.Manufacturer number SR-18-001View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 58
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed May 28, 2026

My abs light and traction light on

NHTSA ID
11740754
Incident
May 22, 2026
Brakes
Filed Oct 9, 2024

Rusted suspension crossbody unsafe to drive. The brakes and calibers seem to always seize as well making this vehicle a death trap no matter how many times I get it fixed.

NHTSA ID
11618906
Incident
Oct 4, 2024
Suspension
Filed Jun 10, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11420380
Incident
Jun 7, 2021
Mileage
138,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 29, 2021

MITSUBISHI HAS A LIMITED RECALL FOR RUSTED CROSSMEMBERS ON 2008+ OUTLANDER SPORTS FROM CERTAIN STATES THAT USED SALT TO TREAT SNOW. MY DAUGHTER'S 2008 OUTLANDER HAS ALWAYS BEEN REGISTERED IN SATELLITE BEACH, FL, A VERY SALTY ATMOSPHERE. THE FRONT WHEELS WOBBLE ON ACCELERATION AND RAPID DECELERATION BECAUSE THE CROSSMEMBER IS SEVERELY RUSTED - CAUSED BY THE BEACHSIDE SALTY LOCATION. IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS MAY BREAK LOOSE AT ANY TIME. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 20V280000 SHOULD INCLUDE SALTY, BEACHSIDE LOCATIONS LIKE SATELLITE BEACH. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT NHTSA ALREADY ACTED ON.

NHTSA ID
11414408
Incident
Apr 27, 2021
Mileage
134,000 mi
Powertrain (other)SuspensionVisibility
Filed Apr 19, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11412885
Incident
Apr 10, 2021
Mileage
42,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 12, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER EQUIPPED WITH GENERAL TIRES, TIRE LINE: GRABBER HTS60, TIRE SIZE: 215/70/R16, DOT NUMBER: VYBAHMFE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRE LOSS HALF OF THE AIR PRESSURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE NO FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE TIRES EXAMINED AT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11402625
Incident
Oct 11, 2020
Mileage
150,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 9, 2021

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM MITSUBISHI RELATED TO A CROSS MEMBER OF THE FRAME. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY DISCOVERED A CORROSION ISSUE WHICH I HAD THEY SERVICE GARAGE FIX AND I PAID FOR THE REPAIR. MITSUBISHI IS DENYING THE CLAIM BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT THERE WAS NO DEFLECTION OF THE CROSS MEMBER. THERE WAS NO DEFLECTION OF THE CROSS MEMBER BECAUSE I HAD IT REPAIRED BEFORE MITSUBISHI'S RECALL NOTICE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR $358.51 THE COST OF THE REPAIR PER THE RECALL NOTICE. THE REPAIR NOTICE IS AND THE REPAIR INVOICE ARE ATTACHED.

NHTSA ID
11399996
Incident
Aug 8, 2020
Mileage
160,504 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 30, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11377107
Incident
Nov 1, 2019
Mileage
176,104 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TECH TALK 289

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEAT BELTS

Tech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics and reviews the previous months publications.

TSB-24-23-004

POWER TRAIN

Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the description of special tools used to install the oil seal within the Automatic Transaxle sections of the applicable Service Manuals.

DEALER LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 3rd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

TSB-23-00-004

STRUCTURE

This Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for removal of rap-film adhesive residue.

TSB-23-00-001

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the reduction in load carrying capacity be affixed to vehicles when the total net weight of accessories is more than 1.5 percent of the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or 100 lbs.

DEALER LETTER

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has launched the 2nd quarterly technician quiz for 2023.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mitsubishi Outlander by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026200—
2025140048.6
2024261055.8
2023452051.5
20222097055.1
2021000—
2020313064.3
2019295067.9
2018556062.7
2017516059.8
20161428052.6
2015525055.7
2014454056.0
2013265161.3
2012226050.5
2011588051.9
20106010049.2
20094613055.2
2008Viewing5812049.4
20071259051.2
2006211046.3
2005181042.7
2004524053.7
20031166051.6

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.