Model year guide

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 29 on record.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints59
Combined18–19 mpg
Typical price$19,772

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution recalls 4

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys NHTSA Campaign #14V562000 · manufacturer #SR-14-009 · 12/09/2014

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 Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if e…

Fix: 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. The recall began on October 15, 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820…

Power Train:manual Transmission NHTSA Campaign #13V446000 · manufacturer #SR-13-009 · 19/09/2013

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured from December 12, 2007, through March 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the clutch master cylinder can fail.

Fix: Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected clutch master cylinders free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2013. Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's campaign number for this recall is SR-13-009.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive NHTSA Campaign #09V435000 · 05/11/2009

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER AND LANCER EVOLUTION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE …

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS THAT HAVE IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANCE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT AT 1-888-648-7820.

Fuel System, Other:delivery NHTSA Campaign #09V349000 · manufacturer #SR-09-004 · 08/09/2009

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER EVOLUTION, RALLIART, AND SPORTBACK RALLIART VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TURBOCHARGED ENGINES. THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FUEL RETURN PIPE IS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE, IN COMBINATION WITH FREQUENT VEHICLE OPERATION AT CERTAIN ENGINE REVOLUTIONS, MAY RESULT IN A RESONANCE THAT, IF CONTINUED OVER TIME, MAY CAUSE A STRESS CRACK TO DEVELOP AT THE FIXED PORTION OF THE FUEL PIPE.

Fix: THE FUEL RETURN PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW PART AND TWO ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENT BRACKETS WILL BE INSTALLED TO BETTER CONTROL FUEL PIPE VIBRATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT 1-888-648-7820.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MPG & running costs

Combined18–19 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,450
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S6) or Manual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume7 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution worth?

Low
$15,000
Typical price
$19,772
High
$24,000

From 29 comparable 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,250
Depreciation (5 yrs)$9,550
Total$31,800
Per mile$0.42

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($19,772) with the same model 5 model-years older ($10,230), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 86

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 86.

Service Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides the replacement procedure for the Differential Mount Bracket Bush of the Rear Axle Differential Carrier Assembly in the applicable Service Manual sections.

Bulletin TSB-24-27-001 · Power Train · Mar 2024

This Technical Service Bulletin provides service manual corrections and additional information for the transaxle assembly removal and installation of the roll stopper bracket.

Bulletin TSB-23-22-001 · Power Train · Jul 2023

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

Bulletin DEALER LETTER · Equipment · Jul 2023

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

Bulletin TSB-23-00-004 · Structure · Apr 2023

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 (…

Bulletin TSB-23-00-001 · Equipment · Apr 2023

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

Bulletin DEALER LETTER · Equipment · Apr 2023

This Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between normal dew condensation, which is a natural phenomenon, and water penetration caused by improper sealing or a defective/broken part.

Bulletin TSB-22-54-003 · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2022

This is a service newsletter (Tech Talk) that was sent out to dealers.

Bulletin TT253 · Equipment · Nov 2019

This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. This bulletin supersedes TSB-18-00-003, issued April, 2018, to add updated information for Carrying Capacity Reduced Label.

Bulletin TSB-19-00-008 · Equipment · Jul 2019

This is a Technical Service Bulletin sent to dealers. The bulletin instructs dealers to confirm a list of specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) if vehicle experiences the following symptoms in cold weather: the check engine light illuminating with a limited…

Bulletin TSB-19-13-003 · Engine · Apr 2019

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the LANCER EVOLUTION AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 8

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Visual System

On certain vehicles, water may drain from the windshield cowl area onto the front wiper link ball joint. Over time, this could result in corrosion and/or wear to the joint, which could result in the separation of the wiper link ball. If separation were to occur, the windshield wipers could become inoperative, which could limit the driver’s visibility under certain operating con…

Transport Canada #2018588 · Oct 2018

Accessories

On certain vehicles, the sunroof may not have been bonded properly and could separate from the vehicle. This could pose a risk to other road users, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the sunroof glass assembly.

Transport Canada #2018054 · Jan 2018

Airbag

On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage, a mixture of snow, water and road-salt solution may infiltrate between the front impact sensor and the bracket that attaches it to the vehicle. Over time, repeated freezing/thawing cycles could cause a crack to develop in the sensor case allowing water intrusion and short circuit of the sensor. In the event of a cr…

Transport Canada #2016382 · Jul 2016

Engine

On certain vehicles, the drive belt material may cause abnormal pulley wear. If the vehicle is driven under this condition, the drive belt may become damaged from the worn pulley and detach, affecting electrical charging system and cooling system function and would illuminate the engine warning lamp(s) on the instrument panel. This could result in battery depletion and an overh…

Transport Canada #2014397 · Sep 2014

Powertrain

On certain vehicles, the clutch master cylinder may fail, resulting in an inability to disengage the clutch or to shift gears. This could result in unintended vehicle movement, increased stopping distances and engine stalling. Such an occurrence could increase the risk of a crash causing injury or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the clutch master cylinder.

Transport Canada #2013316 · Sep 2013

Airbag

On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage, the front impact sensors may corrode between the sensor bushing and sensor bracket. Over time, the corrosion may cause a crack to develop in the sensor case allowing water intrusion and short circuit of the sensor. This could result in delayed deployment of the driver and passenger front airbags during a vehicle cr…

Transport Canada #2009317 · Nov 2009

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, popularly referred to as the "Lancer Evo", "LanEvo" or "Evo", is a sports sedan and rally car based on the Lancer that was manufactured by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors from 1992 until 2016. There have been ten official versions to date, and the designation of each model is most commonly a Roman numeral. All generations use two-litre intercooled turbo inline four-cylinder engines and all-wheel drive systems.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution trims & engines on record

Trims
GSR · MR
Engines
2.0L

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution vehicles on record

Other Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution model years

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution?

Across all 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, electronic stability control (esc), structure.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution get?

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution worth?

Comparable 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution listings run roughly $15,000–$24,000, typically around $19,772 (from 29 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.