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2016 Mitsubishi Lancer: CVT failure

7 of the 30 complaints about the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer describe CVT failure.

owner complaints
7
of this car's complaints
23%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 14 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

CVT failure by model year

  • 2016
    7
  • 2015
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    1
  • 2011
    2
  • 2010
    1
  • 2009
    2
  • 2008
    1

What owners say

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · PA

I bought this vehicle and few weeks later I noticed at a red light. When it turned green i hit the gas. My car took a few seconds, reved and then shot out into the lane. Since then it has had issues over 20 miles and when I stop its a few seconds for the car to accelerate and move which is scary on the road. My 4 sons were horrified! I looked up SR-16-006, after my mechanic said I have exactly everything as the issue of a recall that I should be on. AutoWorx in Pittsburgh on 28th and smallman street. They wouldn't feel comfortable taking my 6k because they said its absolutely the issue covered in the 2016 CVT replacement for a 2.0 engine Lancer Mitshubushi.

Filed Jul 7, 2023 · Transmission · NV

CVT transmission will not catch gears as it keeps slipping. Leaves it in limp mode. Unable to accelerate beyond 25MPH. CVT fluid/ filter Service intervals have been correct as well as a fresh J4 CVT fluid/filter service at dealership. This had occurred at 103,XXX miles. Wildly, I was on my way in to my appointment with the dealership to do a CVT Fluid/Filter Replacement when the issue arises. Of course, just after warranty had expired. Awaiting dealership to give a diagnosis.

Filed Apr 10, 2023 · Transmission · PA

I started to experience hesitation in the cars power and shifting “gears” in the cvt, it started to feel very rough and the rpm would jump up and down. The owner of the dealership tried to tell me it was normal. I knew something was wrong. I left the dealership and not even kidding… 20 minutes later my cvt gave out and the light came on. I purchased the vehicle with 27,700 miles. I was shocked, they had it replaced but i never received any paperwork on where it was replaced. The car started to feel fine for about 20k miles and then boom it’s back. I am going to take my car into the dealership once again and I am just not a happy overall owner. I have had over $21,000 in repairs on this vehicle! We’re talking from wiper motor going out to exhaust pipes needing replaced. The warranty company has luckily saved me with most repairs but i’m sure they are not happy either. I am now at 95k miles and on my way to take it in to see what’s wrong this time. The car has terrible acceleration and just doesn’t want to shift. I shouldn’t be feeling a huge jerk around 30mph from a cvt. I also told the owner of my dealership and his mechanics that their is a weird odor that smells like radiator fluid coming from the passenger floor. It’s completely soaked all the time and even has a weird texture to it. The owner and mechanics once again tried to make me feel stupid. This is unrepaired and has been happening since i bought the vehicle. I have been trying to get it fixed but i’m told “you spilled something” which is documented in the repairs notes. I just want to drive this car without something else giving out. I believe my dealership can’t give me the help my car needs and i’m concerned knowing i still owe $11k on the vehicle. Main Concern - 2nd CVT failing (something was missed that’s causing this) - Passenger Floor Boards Wet (getting no help and being told i spilled something)

Filed Nov 28, 2021 · Transmission · NC

Car has 76,470 miles. Took to dealership due to loss of power and jerking hard during takeoffs and said that it needed new transmission. Dealership looked at it said it had internal failure codes for transmission. When doing research there was a recall in 2016 for this specific car for issues that this car is having and the specific transmission. Spoke with woman on hotline and was told to file a report since some cars could have been overlooked in the recall possibly. Recall was for 2016 Mitsubishi lancers with CVT transmission and was made during the time frame that the recall was going on.

Filed Oct 27, 2021 · Transmission · TX

Our 2016 lancer has suddenly started hesitating/ taking seconds to shift from park to reverse/drive. Also while driving vehicle its rpms fluctuate causing a shudder and surge in power or acceleration. This is a very alarming problem as it puts mine and my kids safety as it hesitates to shift and while driving it loses power and then powers up by itself. We have taken to a transmission shop (HIgH TECH Transmission) and now a dealer (Mission Mitsubishi) and both have replicated problem and pulled code but dealer will not honor recall or repair it. There was a safety recall for 2016 lancers with a cvt8 (SR-16-006) that produces a code P084A as well which and that if both were present a replacement transmission should be approved. All information was pulled from Mitsubishi website, and I called them and spoke to Carla did not give a last name and she advised me that our lancer doesn’t have a recall and I said well is it possible you’ll missed some vehicles that have the same problem from the recalls you’ll have already put out? And she got snappy and said to contact safer car.gov; so here I am, presenting facts to you'll that my 2016 lancer may and hopefully is part of a recall which in result to not being identified or checked out caused more damage as stated it would on the manufacturers website. And needs to be fixed due to not being identified in recall so preventive measures could have been taken. Please our vehicle is experiencing the problem as a recall Mitsubishi put out but failed to identify our lancer and now is experiencing hesitation in CVT trans, and shudder/surge in transmission.

Filed Mar 29, 2021 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · PA

Automatic CVT transmission began failing at 60,000 miles. Transmission fluid was changed at 30k miles, 55k miles, 80k, and 98,000 miles. Transmission completely failed at 98,000 miles. This is due to a manufacturer defect and we should not have to pay for this out of pocket. Please open a recall. This has been reported several times on this VIN series. The vehicle hesitates to switch gears and cannot enter 4th gear or higher. Transmission slips with acceleration. Please recall!

Filed Mar 7, 2021 · Acceleration, Transmission · 83,000 miles · WA

As I was driving it it seems to hesitate on accelerating after a few stops the transmission light would come on for a little bit then go off. Same with the check engine light. As I was driving it to work on the highway.. It suddenly started losing power and I was able to pull over and park it at a gas station where it went completely dead.. I had aaa tow it.. It started up but the shifting is not engaging right away. Had the software updated in 2019.. The CVT transmission are full of problems. It seems to have the same symptoms as the recall but my car was not recalled according to the VIN number.. I had a flush done recently and I have also had the oil changed when needed. The acceleration hesitation then loss of power while driving 60 on the freeway is a safety issue... A lot of semi trucks travel that highway and they cant stop when a car loses power in front of them.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported July 28, 2016 · 82,436 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles and 2016 Outlander and Lancer vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a constant velocity transmission (CVT) that, in certain driving conditions, may cause a delay in the vehicle accelerating.
Risk
A hesitation during acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MMNA has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the CVT control unit with modified software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-006.

Recall number 16V563000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer cvt failure

Is CVT failure a common problem on the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer?

7 of 30 owner complaints about the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer (23%) mention CVT failure. The model year with the most reports is 2016.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer?

There is 1 recall and 14 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer

Hesitation 9Jerking 5Loss of power 5Transmission failure 5

All model years of the Mitsubishi Lancer

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