Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 19 | 32% |
| Power train | 14 | 24% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 4 | 7% |
| Structure | 4 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
ALL MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION X FROM YEARS 2008 THROUGH THE CARS FINAL GEAR IN 2015 SUFFER FROM A DESIGN FLAW TO THE S-AWC SYSTEM. THE ACTIVE YAW CONTROL / ACTIVE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM RELIES ON A PUMP IN ORDER TO
NHTSA complaint: Steering
AYE/ HYDRALIC PUMP WAS NEVER CHANGED OUT WAS TOLD WHEN I WENT TO DO A MANUFACTURING RECAL THAT IT WORKED FINE WHEN IT DIDNT AND AFTER WARDS HIT PAST THE 100,000 MILES AND WAS AUTOMATICALLY UNABLE TO GET THE REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2016 FOR A FLASHING TARAMIC LIGHT AND THEY TOLD THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG. WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THEY NEGLETED TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THIS ISSUE WAS UN
NHTSA complaint: Power train
AYC PUMP FAILED CODE C161E. 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.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
ACD/ACY RECALL. I PURCHASED MY 2008 EVO WITH 95000 MILES ON IT. SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE I WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH IT RUNNING LEAN AND MY AYC SERVICE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION CENTER DIFFERENTIAL PINS IN MANUAL 2008 MODELS. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE CAR POPPED OUT OF GEAR TO NEUTRAL, THEN I SHIFTED TO 4TH AND POPPED OUT AGAIN TO NEUTRAL, I HAD TO Q
NHTSA complaint: Power train
ACD/ AYC PUMP FAILURE, ONE TIME I WAS DOING FLUID INSPECTION ON MY CAR WHEN I NOTICE THE CARS ATF FLUID RESERVOIR IN THE TRUNK IS LOSING OIL. LOOKED AT THE FLOOR FOUND SOME RED OIL DRIPPING. IT MAY HAVE SEEM THAT PUMP MA
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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,
Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery may discharge, resulting in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
Risk: Failure of the clutch master cylinder reduces the ability to shift the vehicle into or out of gear, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 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 I
Risk: IF THIS STRESS CRACK DEVELOPS, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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. TH
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,
Risk: THIS COATING OVER TIME MAY CAUSE CORROSION OF THE SENSOR. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH OF THE TYPE THAT WOULD DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS THIS TYPE OF SHORT-CIRCUIT MAY CAUSE A DELAY IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF T
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 CONTAC
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 55 | average |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 19 of them (32%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.