AI Damage2008 Mitsubishi Outlander: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander filed 58 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 58
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 17% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 16% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 14% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 9% of all complaints
- Suspension: 10 complaints (17% of all).
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (16% of all).
- Visibility: 9 complaints (16% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 8 complaints (14% of all).
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (12% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 58 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 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.
The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's daughter was driving and sustained a chest injury and a bruised right knee. Medical attention was not required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow yard. The dealer was not contacted.
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.
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 driverâs side sub-frame cross member was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted.
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 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.
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.
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.
##1st problem==I was the car and got an speed of 25mph and sudennly the car wont moved forward even im trying to depressed the gas pedal but the same it wont moved forward but when I shot off the engine and re start again its trhe time that will moved forward=== ##2nd problem==my wife went to pick up our son from the…
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 4,955 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 14% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Outlander has 53 complaints (25 years in the data). This year has 58, about average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other years of this model
- Outlander 2003116 sources
- Outlander 200452 sources
- Outlander 200519 sources
- Outlander 200621 sources
- Outlander 2007125 sources
- Outlander 200946 sources
- Outlander 201060 sources
- Outlander 201158 sources
- Outlander 201222 sources
- Outlander 201326 sources
- Outlander 201445 sources
- Outlander 201553 sources
- Outlander 2016240 sources
- Outlander 2017145 sources
- Outlander 2018132 sources
- Outlander 2019112 sources
- Outlander 2020116 sources
- Outlander 202112 sources
- Outlander 2022407 sources
- Outlander 2023158 sources
- Outlander 2024104 sources
- Outlander 202559 sources
- Outlander 202636 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, powertrain, visibility. Total complaints: 58. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (21%), knocking, grinding or other noise (10%), steering or power steering problems (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander?
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 Outlander 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.