AI Damage2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electronic stability control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 36
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 72% of all complaints
- 2 Electronic stability control 53% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 6% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 3% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 3% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 3% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 26 complaints (72% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 19 complaints (53% of all).
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (8% of all).
- Equipment: 2 complaints (6% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (3% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 36 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 | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
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.
Loss of electronic stability control. Ayc/acd pump failure due to poor engineering. Car has no stability control and driver is more likely to lose control in severe weather conditions.
Not covered under power train warranty pump was corroded and could no longer produce enough pressure. Pump in located directly behind passenger rear wheel exposed to water, salt, and other road debris.
Went to dealer for transmission check and after a mile awc light came on they said it had nothing to do with computer update they did.mind you my tranny was going bad and dealer did not want nothing to do with it even under warranty.
Acd (active center differential) pump failure at 43000 miles. Was repaired under warranty but failed again 2 months ago (less than 60000 miles) january 2014. So the new pump installed did not last for more than 15000 miles.
The car is displaying an s-awc service light, it has yet to be diagnosed by the dealership but I have brought it in previously for the same issue. Looking online there is a whole mass of forums stating that at 40,000+ miles the ayc pump breaks.
There is a strong fuel smell in the cabin when I am on the highway doing 70mph, I have tried to check it out but there are no apparent fuel leaks, my mechanic suspects the evaporator system.
When air temperatures rise above 100* the car has a strong fuel smell, to the point of not being able to safely drive the car due to the fuel smell inside the passenger cabin.
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 6,253 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lancer Evolution has 21 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 36, 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.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electronic stability control, fuel system. Total complaints: 36. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (19%), warning lights, check engine (17%), fuel system, fuel smell (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?
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 Evolution 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.