AI Damage2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electronic stability control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 23
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 61% of all complaints
- 2 Electronic stability control 17% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 13% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 4% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 4% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 14 complaints (61% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 4 complaints (17% of all).
- Structure: 4 complaints (17% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (4% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 23 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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…
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 searched online and found out that the pump was failing due to salt corrosion. This should of been a recall since nurmerous of other cars are having the same issue.
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.
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.
Was driving vehicle and warning light "service required" and a symbol indicating the all-wheel drive suspension appeared. Had code read and my vehicle suffered a acd pump failure. It is a crucial feature to the sophisticated awd stability control system that makes an evo "special".
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 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…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,735 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lancer EVO has 8 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 23, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electronic stability control, structure. Total complaints: 23. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (26%), airbag warning light (4%), fuel system, fuel smell (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.