MitsubishiEndeavor20083.8L/mitsubishi/endeavor/2008/3-8l/

2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Endeavor 3.8L.

Body SUVEngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor is an SUV powered by a 3.8L engine and an S4 automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-rated 15/22/18 mpg. Maintenance for this configuration requires 4.6 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. Within the model's 2004-2011 production span, the 2008 version recorded 14 owner complaints—centered on seat belts—and three recalls, reflecting a trend that improved from the 181 complaints in 2004 toward the low of 7 complaints in 2011.

Model year20112010200920082007200620052004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690072. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size4WD:P225-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690072
Engine air filterMR571396
Fuel filterMN176269
Spark plugMN163236
Front wiper bladesMZ693021 alt 8250A174
Serpentine beltMN187015 alt MN187016
ThermostatMD350415

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S4)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.9 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase107.9 in
Curb weight4167 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2008 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

7.6–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 2004 Limited
215 hpHorsepower (as tested)
250 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004Limited 3.8L V67.60 sec16.20 sec215 hpAWD
2004Limited 3.8L V67.70 sec16.10 sec215 hpAWD
2004XLS 3.8L V68.40 sec16.20 sec215 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.6 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, 85W-90 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMitsubishi Diamond Queen SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.3
Automatic Transmission FluidMitsubishi Diamond Queen SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.9
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil85W-90 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts136 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 18-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31-37 ft-lbs
Main Bearings54 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-188 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub145-188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.16-1.26 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature187-193 °F
Engine Compression162
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle74 ft-lbs / 45 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0012 in / 0.0031 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9420 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
180 ft. lbs.80 ft. lbs
2Loosen all bolts.
380

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record shows the Endeavor generation opened with a very high 2004 tally—181 complaints, 6 recalls, 2 investigations, and 116 TSBs—then fell sharply in subsequent years. By 2008, complaints dropped to 14 and recalls to 3, with 1 investigation and 33 TSBs, representing a continued decline from 2007’s 21 complaints and 5 recalls and 2006’s 19 complaints and 5 recalls. After 2008, 2009 registers zero complaints and one recall, while 2010 and 2011 remain low, so the 2008 model sits near the bottom of the complaint/recall arc just before the generation’s final low-volume years. For 2008 specifically, the top complaint areas—seat belts, suspension, fuel/propulsion system, and unknown/other—each show only two complaints, with two crash-related complaints and no fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Among this generation, the 2008 Endeavor looks like a comparatively favorable used buy because its federal complaint and recall counts are among the lowest, but a pre-purchase inspection and verified service history remain essential.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
33
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
14
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts2
Suspension2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Unknown Or Other2
Power Train2
Structure1
Electrical System,Engine1
Structure,Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V514000Electrical System:SoftwareReported 20/10/2010

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 ENDEAVOR WITH MANUAL AIR CONDITIONING. DUE TO AN INCORRECT HEATER (HVAC) CONTROLLER SIGNAL, THE AIR FLOW FROM THE AIR VENTS MAY RANDOMLY CHANGE DIRECTION AND/OR THE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR DAMAGE AND IF NECESSARY REPAIR THE MODE DOOR SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI AT…

10V065000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And CapReported 25/02/2010

MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 ENDEAVOR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE WITH A NEW IMPROVED PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MITSUBISHI…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 33 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DEALER LETTER2023-07-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-23-00-0042023-04-24StructureThis Technical Service Bulletin provides instructions and material safety data sheets for…
TSB-23-00-0012023-04-24EquipmentThis Technical Service Bulletin reviews the regulations that require a label showing the…
DEALER LETTER2023-04-21EquipmentThis is a Dealer Letter sent to dealers informing that Mitsubishi Technical Training has…
TSB-22-54-0032022-04-07Exterior LightingThis Technical Service Bulletin was sent to dealers to explain the difference between…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Endeavor. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Endeavor 3.8L take?

4.6 qt of 5W-20 SM API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Endeavor have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.8L get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.