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2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “S-AWC/ACD/AYC hydraulic pump failure.” Mitsubishi publishes short, conservative intervals: oil every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe, and — unlike many rivals — an explicit CVT fluid replacement schedule rather than a 'lifetime fill' claim. Read the severe-service column honestly: stop-and-go city trips, short hops, and hot climates all qualify, and they describe how most Mirages actually live. The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty stays intact only with documented on-schedule service.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Reported to NHTSA

S-AWC/ACD/AYC hydraulic pump failure

POWER TRAIN, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

39 NHTSA complaints · 2009-10 → 2019-04

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10967896
“THE BIG FIX IS THE AYC/ADC HYDRAULIC UNIT THAT PRESSURIZES THE CLUTCHES IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. WHAT CAUSES THE FAILURE IS CORROSION. THIS UNIT IS PLACED BEHIND THE RH REAR TIRE AND HAS VERY LITTLE PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10605444
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10521134

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Notchy 2nd-to-3rd gear manual transmission shifting

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 2008-08 → 2013-11

“THE GEAR SHIFTS ARE EXTREMELY NOTCHY AND CAUSE FREQUENT GRINDING WHEN SHIFTING TO GEARS 2 AND 3. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I AM UPSHIFTING OR DOWNSHIFTING. THE PROBLEM IS PRONOUNCED DURING COLD ENGINE CONDITIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10238007
“(COMPLAINT IS APPLICABLE ONLY TO GSR TRIM EQUIPPED WITH A 5MT TRANSMISSION) - DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, AND SECOND TO THIRD. GEARSHIFT IS NOTCHY AND HARD TO ENGAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10552515
“CLUTCH DISK DRAGGING DURING DISENGAGEMENT, CAUSING HARD SHIFTING AND PREMATURELY WEARING THE TRANSMISSION SYNCHRONIZERS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10259600

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Paint chipping on lower rear doors and quarter panels

STRUCTURE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2008-08 → 2009-10

“THE PAINT IS CHIPPING ON THE BOTTOM SIDE, OF THE BACK REAR DOORS NEXT TO THE FENDER. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10265978
“LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING MY NEW 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION GSR I NOTICED ROCK CHIPS IN THE LOWER REAR CORNERS OF THE REAR DOORS, JUST AHEAD OF THE CLEAR PROTECTIVE FILM ALREADY INSTALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO PREVENT PAINT CHIPPING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10242116
“THE CAR WILL KICK UP ANY SMALL ROCKS AND CHIP THE REAR DOORS AND SIDE SKIRTS. I HAVE INSTALLED MUD GUARDS, BUT DOES NOT HELP EITHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10239442

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel odor in passenger cabin

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2011-08 → 2012-04

“THE SMELL OF RAW FUEL ENGULFING THE INSIDE OF THE CAR MAKING IT NEAR UNBEARABLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT FEELING DIZZY OR SICK. THIS CAN'T BE SAFE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10417742
“2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION MR CABIN FUEL FUMES / STRONG SMELL. 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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10418324
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10454451

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace every 7,500 miles normal / 3,750 severe. Mirage's 1.2L three-cylinder holds barely over 3 quarts — small sumps punish stretched intervals. 0W-20 on most recent models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

CVT Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Mitsubishi schedules CVT fluid replacement — commonly every 60,000 miles normal / 30,000 severe (check your year's table). Use only the specified CVT fluid (J4/CVTF-J4 family); generic ATF destroys the belt-and-pulley unit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate with every oil change. Light Mirages are easy on tires but the economy-focused OEM rubber wears fast when neglected.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors/drums, and lines at each service — Mirage G4 retains rear drums, which need periodic adjustment checks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 2-3 years per the schedule. Cheap job, big ABS-unit insurance.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs commonly every 60,000 miles on the Mirage's 3A92 and Lancer's 4B11 — verify your year's table, as some engines list up to 105,000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Mitsubishi's schedule replaces the engine air filter every 15,000 miles — shorter than most brands, and a 5-minute DIY on the Mirage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles and replace on cracking. The Mirage's single serpentine belt also drives the A/C — a failure strands the car's accessories at once.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace every 15,000 miles, behind the glovebox. Often skipped at quick-lube visits — worth checking if airflow feels weak.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 60,000 mi

First change around 60,000 miles, then roughly every 30,000-45,000 per the schedule. Mitsubishi long-life coolant or equivalent OAT for your year.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Small-battery economy cars have little reserve — the first cold snap finds a weak one.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution reflects Mitsubishi's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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