I just bought a 2009 outlander XLS V6. I didn't notice any problems on the test drive, but when driving it home i noticed driving around my neighborhood that when i decelerate, start turning, then jump back on the gas the outlander transmission will hesitate for 1-2 seconds before kicking down and engaging. While the transmission is kicking down the engine revs will build and there is no forward acceleration during this time, like the torque converter isn't fully locked up. Once it kicks down it will lurch the front wheels breaking traction in the rain today. It doesn't seem to matter how much throttle i give it, i can replicate it with smooth throttle tip in while very light on the throttle.

Is this normal for this transmission, or do you think i bought a lemon?? The car has 100k miles on it.

 

Do you know when the transmission fluid has been changed?

 

Nope, i guess i can take a look at that tomorrow and see what i see. Is it possible they put the wrong fluid in or something?? Would that cause symptoms like this?

 

I would imagine probably not the wrong fluid but I've seen some pretty stupid mechanics. Really old transmission fluid can certainly cause issues like this.

 

Unfortunately mine had always done this Since we got it at 30k miles. Fresh fluid helps. I have adjusted my driving style to prevent it. If you figureally it out, please post it.

 

gggplaya,

I do no know which country you reside, but if you live in the U.S. I assume you have the 6-speed twin clutch SST since you have a 2009 XLS with the V6. I am not aware of any service bulletins related to this transmission, but it may be worth a look. The symptoms you described are very similar to what we've experienced with the SST in our 2012 GT. I have had a dealer look at our GT's transmission twice with really no problems found. The first time I had it looked at was at around 27,500 miles when I had the full 30,000 mile service performed. A transmission service at that time lessened the symptoms to a degree. Fast forward another 10,000 miles and the sympoms returned. This time when I had a Mitsubishi tech look at the concern all he could find was that the transmission fluid was dirty. The dealer drained and replaced the transmission fluid. Symptoms again reduced.

The symptoms are still noticed at times, but mostly when there is a bit more stress put on the powertrain from harder acceleration.

At least I have had the symptoms documented twice and I have over a year and a half left on the bumper to bumper warranty through the manufacturer. My advice is to take your Outlander back to the dealer where you purchased it, assuming you purchased it from a dealer and you feel they are trustworthy. Have them look it over. Maybe they will even pay to have a Mitsubishi dealer look at it. If my dealer finds an answer to my concern, I will let you know.

Best of luck!

 

My 2009 Lancer had a similar problem. It was a CVT software issue, the dealer was great about it. It first started at around 20,000 km. They just reflashed the software and changed the CVT fluid to be sure.Problem solved..never happened again.I drove that car for 230,000 km. I don't know if the V6 would benefit from a look at the software. Good luck. Cheers!

 

gggplaya,

I have a 2014 Diesel (in Australia) with the six speed automatic and have exactly the same issue. The dealer says they can't find the issue or that it's turbo lag (no it isn't). This is when the transmission is trying to drop down a gear at low speed (ie second to first), it will lag then snap into gear and spin the front wheels. Strangely there is also an odd issue where the transmission in a less torque/higher speed situation will make a "chuffing" sound with a perceived loss in power as it chuffs.

I'm in the process of going above the dealers head and straight to Mitsubishi.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. The dealer is going to look at it on monday. We'll see what they say. I don't drive aggressively, my daily driver is a prius due to my long commute, and i have a toddler so i drive double slow. I merely bought this car for the winter and for camping/mountain biking, fishing and other stuff i do on the weekends. I needed the extra cargo room. I did try the paddle shifts to see if it was isolated to different gears and it seemed mostly in the lower 3 gears. I did find it refreshing that i can downshift going downhill when it snows, something i always did in my subaru because it was a manual. So it's refreshing to know i won't lose out on the advantage of a manual in winter driving.

I checked out the fluid, it seems brand spankin new, very red. The dealer may have tried to already resolve it and changed the fluid. Then basically sold me a lemon, they had me test drive the car with zero fuel on the gauge, it was literally running on fumes for the test drive, we only went around the block. I may have been duped by a major brand dealer.

The car is also exhibiting an occasional shudder. So perhaps they put some cheap fluid in it, and not the right stuff. I'll probably have the mitsubishi dealer flush it and install the right stuff, and go from there. I may just drive it until it goes bad, then replace the transmission.

 

I don't think it's a dual clutch transmission. It shift more like a traditional transmission.