MitsubishiOutlander20082.4L/mitsubishi/outlander/2008/2-4l/

2008 Mitsubishi Outlander — 2.4L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Outlander 2.4L.

Body SUVEngine 2.4LTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander is an SUV powered by a 2.4L engine mated to an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios, returning EPA ratings of 20/25/22 mpg city/highway/combined and taking 4.9 quarts of 5W-20 API oil at service intervals. Its 58 owner complaints are dominated by suspension issues, and the model carries 12 recalls — a notable count for a single model year. Measured against the Outlander's full complaint history from 2003 through 2025, where the 2015 model year peaked at 233 complaints, the 2008 sits comfortably in the lower tier, indicating a comparatively quieter chapter in the platform's reliability record.

Model year201520142013201220112010200920082006

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/25/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 520 CCA battery, OE oil filter MZ690116. 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 35 · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterMZ690116
Engine air filter1500A023
Fuel filter1770A095 alt 1770A094
Spark plug1822A011 alt MN163235
Front wiper blades8250A254 alt 28890W160P
Serpentine belt4451A058 alt 1340A132
Thermostat1305A802 alt MD194988
Cabin air filter7803A004

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.7 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3505 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 25 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent published road-test results.

9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.30 sec — 2008 SE
168 hpHorsepower (as tested)
167 lb-ftTorque (as tested)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008SE 2.4L I-49.30 sec17.30 sec168 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, 80W 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. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMitsubishi Diamond Queen SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.1
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.7
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil80W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts15-21 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33-39 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 15-; Upper: 17-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33-39 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs12 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug22.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug22.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub107-129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.05-1.14 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-183 °F
Engine Compression164
Engine Oil Pressure4.3 psi @ Idle, 43-100 psi @ 3500 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH HEAVY DUTY / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket28-36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle38-48 ft-lbs / 38-44 ft-lbs / 67-81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.059 in
Brake ApplicationWITH HEAVY DUTY / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0032 in / 0.0024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
126 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
2180 degrees.180 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

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) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (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)

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 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander represents a significant stabilization in owner complaints compared to the previous model year, dropping to 58 complaints from 2007's spike of 125, though it sits within a broader generation that later experienced severe complaint surges in 2015 (233) and 2022 (208). Despite this drop in complaints, the 2008 model year saw an increase in federal recalls to 12 (up from 9 in 2007) and technical service bulletins to 104, initiating a trend of elevated manufacturer interventions that continued into 2009. The data does not specify the root causes, but the primary complaint areas for the 2008 model are Suspension (8), Visibility/Wiper (6), Power Train (5), and Exterior Lighting (4), alongside isolated incidents of one crash and one fire. Positioned at the beginning of a relatively moderate complaint arc that lasted through 2010, the 2008 model benefits from early-generation quality corrections, yet its high recall count implies specific safety items require attention. Ultimately, the 2008 Outlander is a decent year to buy within this generation's volatile history, provided you strictly verify that all 12 recalls have been properly completed by a previous owner.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
104
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
58
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 58 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension8
Visibility/Wiper6
Power Train5
Exterior Lighting4
Structure3
Unknown Or Other3
Engine3
Service Brakes2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V279000Structure:Frame And MembersReported 18/05/2020

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 ever registered in… 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…

17V461000Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:MotorReported 20/07/2017

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2013 Outlander vehicles. In the affected vehicles, water may drop between the hood and the windshield and leak into the wiper motor breathing hole… Remedy: MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 104 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TECH TALK 2892025-11-21Electrical SystemTech Talk is a service newsletter that was sent out to dealers. It covers various topics…
TSB-24-23-0042024-06-03Power TrainService Manual Revision - This Technical Service Bulletin provides corrections to the…
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…

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 Outlander. 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 Outlander 2.4L take?

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

Does the 2008 Outlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg.