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KLUNK
KLUNK

2008 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Verdict

85 Smooth Ride

The 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander has 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (26 complaints) and electrical (9 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 85/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Mitsubishi Outlander, consider the 2025 model year which has 77% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 77% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander dashboard →

85

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 4

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

18V069000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

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 4B...

Risk

If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 c...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

20V279000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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 ev...

Risk

A detached front control arm can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 me...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

14V562000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportba...

Risk

If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drive belt with a rubber belt. Drive pulleys that are excessively worn will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge...

Reported Dec 9, 2014

09V077000 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 39,711 MY 2008-2009 OUTLANDER AND LACER VEHICLES. INCORRECT MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE MAY CAUSE THE CHECK VALVE TO STICK CLOSED WHEN THE ENGINE ...

Risk

THIS MAY TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-800-222-0037.

Reported Oct 3, 2009

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2003643302210
20042811391
2005120222
200682920
20078262638
2008265999
2009233884
201021610203
201126615365
2012152865
201322522127
20142021517
201532142158108
20163322263155
201717121282
201823417110
201977843
20201021421
20221311225346
20231541092
202492443
202571320

By Category

Body
26
Electrical
9
Engine
9
Transmission
9
Brakes
5

By Severity

1
27
2
28
3
1
4
2

Worst Problems

Complaints

Brakes 1

My abs light and traction light on

1mo ago
Brakes 2

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.

21mo ago
Body 1

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.

62mo ago
Body 2

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.

63mo ago
Transmission 1

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.

63mo ago
Body 2

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.

65mo ago
Body 1

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.

65mo ago
Electrical 2

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.

68mo ago
Body 2

CROSS MEMBER RUSTED THROUGH - UNSAFE TO DRIVE - HAD IT FIXED IN MARCH 2019 AND MITSUBISHI WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE OUT OF POCKET COSTS BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED JULY 2020

71mo ago
Body 1

WHILE HAVING EXHAUST WORK DONE ON MY 2008 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER IN MARCH OF 2020, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE 2.4L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE. THERE WAS APPARENTLY A RECALL INVOLVING V6 OUTLANDERS FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT NONE FOR THE 4-CYLINDER MODEL FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM.

73mo ago
Engine 2

##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 SCHOOL AS SHE WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO THE INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS THIS AFTERNOON WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR STOPS AND THE WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN FROM LEFT OR RIGHT AND GOT PANICKED AND THEN SHE CALLED ME FOR THE RESCUE, AS I ARRIVED IN THE PLACE I DROVE THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE AND CHECKED WHAT WRONG WITH IT, AS I OPEN THE ENGINE HOOD I SAW THE BELT THAT IS HANGING AND I TRIED TO TAKE IT OUT. AND THEN I DROVE THE CAR TO OUR HOUSE WITH OUT THE BELT.

83mo ago
Body 2

NOTICED THAT THE CROSSMEMBER HAS ROTTED AWAY AT THE WELD AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. ALL OTHER COMPONENTS ARE OK. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2008 V6 MODELS FOR THE CORROSION, BUT NOT FOR 2008 4 CYL?? IT USES THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS BACK IN 2008.

88mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE, CROSS MEMBER, AND SUB FRAME SHOWED EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. SUNNYSIDE MITSUBISHI (7630 PEARL RD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH 44130, (440) 243-7711) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED LOSS OF STEERING HAD TO BE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY.*JB

93mo ago
Body 2

THERE'S A RECALL ON THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER/SUB-FRAME,WHICH IS IN GOOD CONDITION,BUT NOT THE BACK ONE. WHICH MINE JUST ACTUALLY RIPPED! IT STARTED DRIVING ODD,LIKE THE BACK END DOESN'T STAY BEHIND IT. WOULD KIND OF SHUDDER AT TAKEOFF, AND SOUNDS AWFUL! ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE GOING SLOWLY ON A DIRT DRIVEWAY WITH BUMPS.EVEN WITH BRAND NEW SUSPENSION,TIRES,CV-SHAFTS,BEARINGS,EVERYTHING.IT STILL DID IT.THEN YESTERDAY IT STARTED REALLY BANGING AND THUMPING UNDERNEATH.IT WAS HARD TO FIGURE OUT BECAUSE IT WOULD HAPPEN AT DIFFERENT TIMES.SOMETIMES CORNERS,SOMETIMES GOING STRAIGHT,ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BODY WOULD TWIST. SO I STOPPED AND CHECKED. I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED AT LEAST AN INCH ON ONE SIDE. IT HAS BRAND NEW STRUTS IN IT, SO I LOOKED CLOSER. ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR, WHERE THE LATERAL CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO IT,THE ACTUAL SUB FRAME/CROSS MEMBER IS TORN! IT IS WAY TO NEW TO HAVE THE SUB-FRAME ROTTED SO BAD THAT IT JUST RIPS.OBVIOUSLY MITSUBISHI FORGOT TO TREAT THAT CROSS-MEMBER AS WELL! OR JUST GOT THE TWO BACKWARDS IN THE RECALL? THIS IS THE 2008 OUTLANDER V6,4WD,XLS. ALSO,NOT A SAFETY ISSUE,BUT STILL NOT NORMAL FOR THE AGE, ALL MY PAINT ON THE FRONT BUMPER IS JUST FALLING OFF.IN CHUNKY FLAKES?

94mo ago
Electrical 1

LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS HAVE BEEN GOING COMPLETELY OUT. THIS HAPPENED WHEN IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY . IT IS DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE AND BE SEEN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A MITSUBISHI DEALER FOR REPAIR BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED 4 TIMES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD A RELAY WAS BURNT OUT THREE TIMES AND HAD BEEN REPLACED. ANOTHER TIME I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT. USUALLY THE REPAIR ONLY LASTS 3-4 WEEKS AND THEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT AGAIN. THIS LAST TIME WAS ONLY 2.5 WEEKS SINCE IT WAS LAST REPAIRED. THIS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING AND NOT TO MENTION DANGEROUS. THIS HAS OCCURRED 8/29/18, 8/10/18, 7/11/18, 6/~13/18.

95mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, THE DEALER (TONY MANGINO MITSUBISHI, 1658 U S 9, CLIFTON PARK ,NEW YORK 12065) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. *TT

98mo ago
Electrical 1

THA REAR STOP LIGHT DSNT WORK..BEFORE THE LEFT SIDE LIGHT DSNT WORK AND NOW THE RIGHT SIDE DSNT WORK

98mo ago
Body 2

CROSS MEMBER RECALL. TAKING TOO LONG FOR SCHALLER TO PERFORM REPAIR/RECALL WORK.

100mo ago
Electrical 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-267758994. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE WAS THOROUGHLY INSPECTED AT MISSION MITSUBISHI (9800 SAN PEDRO AVE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216, (210) 342-2886) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WOULD SOON NEED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY LOOKING INTO THE MATTER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

101mo ago
Electrical 1

FAULTY CLOCK SPRING IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY IF OR WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS IN AN ACCIDENT

101mo ago

58 total

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