Hi,

My story is that when Mitsubishi launched a recall for the Outlander 2016 concerning the CVT hesitations, a year and a half ago here in Canada, the dealership service department applied back then the software update but that did not solve the hesitation issue for me.

Then they did another software reset or something like that few months after the recall, still nothing changed.

So I forgot about it and when that dealership closed, I started going to another one to do the routine maintenance of my Outlander.

A month ago, during one more routine maintenance, I talked to the new dealership service about the hesitation not being solved with the software update, reset etc. They took it very seriously and to my surprise, they plugged a machine in it, drove it for a while and told me that the transmission will have to be replaced as their machine detected a lot of hesitations... They explained to me that the software won't solve this anymore and that they will send the data to Mitsubishi and ask for a new transmission to be shipped so they can install it for me... Of course, they said all that is covered with the warranty (I have the 2016 Outlander since late summer 2015)...

Today they called to give me an appointment to install the new transmission and when I asked why they have no spots before a month from now, they said they have few others to replace....

That made me puzzled somehow as I did not hear or see online anything hinting that the Outlanders CVT is being replaced for owners in North America... All I found is the 2016 recall to update the software.

And a friend at work was wondering if the dealership is not doing this (perhaps) unnecessary replacement of the transmission just to make some service profit from the Warranty coverage by Mitsubishi...

Anyone else had the CVT replaced in the Outlander 2016 / 2017?

My Outlander is a 2016 ES Premium AWC 4cyl with about 56000KM (35000 Miles) or so.

Thanks

 

What does the hesitation feel like? When you press the pedal it just doesn't go or feel like it's slipping? I have a 2016 SEL and I don't think I have any issues. I updated the software as soon as I received the recall notice. I also just changed the fluid. I'm at about 36K miles.

 

It might be slipping who knows. The "issue" that grabbed the attention of the techniciens is the hesitation of the gears. At specific speeds/rpm, we feel like a small and slight shudder as if the transmission doesn't know if it has to go up or down a notch, as if it is trapped on a frontiere between two choices... A sort of small vibration that could feel like a road surface texture if someone is not aware of it. It happens let's say if I am driving through a school street with a speed limit of 30km (18 miles or so) for example and I am trying to maintain that low speed. But it could also happen with a slight and smooth acceleration . It is always as if you need to give it a little boost up or release the pedal to let it relax and get smoother.

Another thing that could be related and that I felt since day 1 and that a car reviewer here mentioned back then without knowing if it is by design or not, is that when you accelerate from a slow speed (to get into highway speed for example) the rpm goes way up and it feels as if it is choking and it does not accelerate properly while the gaz consumption slider on the front dashboard shows yellow.... However, by simply relaxing slightly the foot on the gaz pedal, it goes into the appropriate gear and accelerates. That journalist said back then "as if something is holding the horsepowers".

All in all, I will see how it goes with the new transmission. I am stressed about changing an original part of the car knowing that nothing is mentioned about that. The dealership is confident that the software won't do much anymore and I believe he hinted that the parts of the transmission are not fitting properly so yes could be slipping... I am aware that I could have a flawed transmission but what amazed me the most is that they hinted they are replacing it for few others...

 

It's under warranty...they want to give you a new transmission...at such low mileage..with no cost to you...I'm in...where do I sign..lol....I would just let them do it...gladly.

 

Interesting, I can't say I experienced any of that, but will be on the look out. I would get it fixed sooner than later too. I did have my CVT fluid changed at 30K.

 

Thanks all for the feedback. I will try to update on how the new transmission is performing. Hopefully I will get a smoother CVT.

 

 

I bought my 2016 Outlander SE late summer 2015 too. Yes, I got the recall done even I never experienced any problem. My dealer never offered CVT replacement and I do not see any reason to do that either.

 

If your CVT is smooth and does not stutter or hesitate between gears or choke on acceleration then you don't have the issue I have because mine isn't smooth at all and 2 software updates (the 1rst being the recall) did not fix the issue.

I am anxious to see what the new CVT will be. I suppose I will get a new revised transmission just like the one in the 2018 4cyl models and this is at least good news as they must have fine tuned it after 2 years of production and revisions.

Anyways, good to hear that not all the Outlander CVTs are buggy. Before my Outlander, I had a Jeep Patriot 2010 bought new, and it was the king of unreliable cars with so many cheap mechanical parts... But I liked its simplicity and composed handling off road...

This is why my Outlander CVT story made me a little nervous because after the cheap Jeep, I chose a Japanese brand that presents good value for the price and for my needs and with a good reliability reputation as far as I heard when I was looking for an SUV... Initially I fell in love with the Subaru Outback, and I admit it has superior handling and more sticky and stable behavior, but I could not get a good deal on one back then.

I hope my Outlander won't be disappointing me in the years to come...