Mitsubishi Lancer jerking problems

Filed Jul 20, 2025 · Transmission · VA

It’s throwing a P084A code and it feels like the transmission is about to let loose. I bought the car with 30,000 on it in 2016 and it has a hair over 136,000 and ever since I’ve had it it’s always had this transmission lag jerk in it. Very scuttle but you can feel it. Then all of a sudden it just started going into limp mode, hi low hi low rev, jerking and couldn’t get over 30 mph. This looks like a continuous problem with these transmission and gives Mitsubishi a bad taste in some peoples mouths. I’m out of a decently nice car and probably a couple thousand dollars for a new transmission.

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 May 12, 2022 · Transmission · IN

Without any prior warning lights or issues with the car. While i drove to work, about 10-15 miles away or 20 min drive, i came to a stop at a red light and when it turned green the car could not get into 2nd gear and would juts rev mostly in place. First gear didnt really have any pull. After a few seconds it finally took second gear but it jerked the car off causing it to stop very suddenly and thats when the service transmission light came on. I was stuck at the light for at least 5 minutes, can’t imagine that happening on the highway. I took the car to the dealership they said they found a code P183D which basically means i need a new transmission. This car has barely 90,000 miles and they are quoting me over $15,000 just for the parts. They privided me with a TSB which list my car as a year and model with known issue but told me the repairs are not covered by the manufacturer.

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 Nov 5, 2021 · Transmission · SC

I was driving on the way home, my car started to skip and jerking. Went to Mitsubishi and told me I needed a whole new transmission replacement on a 2016 Lancer with only 81,000 miles on it. It seemed to never catch up to speed smoothly. Which I was terrified I was going to wreck otw home that day.

Filed Jun 28, 2021 · Engine · NC

the federal safety agency safety report 06/2021 — while driving approximately 45-50 mph, the ABS warning light and traction control light suddenly came on the display so I reduced speed and had planned to proceed to the next service station which was approximately 1.5 miles away. However, when I was approximately 1/2 mile from the station the engine stalled, the vehicle slightly jerked, and the the engine died. At this point, I shifted into neutral and cruised a couple hundred feet to a safe pull-off point. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the battery was completely dead and would not hold a charge when jumped. This prompted me to check the alternator where I noticed the loose belt and broken tensioner which I had repaired at my own expense the following day.

Filed Mar 24, 2021 · Acceleration · VA

When I try to accelerate, the car starts out really slow. There is a lot of jerking and acceleration issues. When I try to accelerate, it acts like it is shifted to l, but then it speeds up. This is a constant issue.

Filed Jun 11, 2020 · Transmission · 141,552 miles · CT

While driving on the highway I went to accelerate to keep up with my traffic and my car was slow to acceleration. While still driving I went to get off the highway, took an exit and after stopping at stop sign while my foot was on the gas to go the car didn't respond to go but then jerked and accelerated very slowly. There's was a recall on the CVT transmissions for lancers but years 14-16 for this same issue but because my car doesn't fall into that recall my dealership told me there was nothing I could do. I've been driving the vehicle and this issues is only getting worse to the point where after driving about 60mph causes an transmission overheating alert within 10-15 mins on the highway and along with slow acceleration while driving on the highway and also stopping at stop signs the car does not accelerate right away.

Filed Oct 3, 2019 · Engine, Lights · 167,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mitsubishi lancer. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall and overheat while driving various speeds without warning. The contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic from where it was purchased. The mechanic gave her a $200 reimbursement towards the repair of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic where she was informed that the vehicle needed a new catalytic converter. The vehicle was repaired, but the failures recurred soon after, including shaking and jerking without warning. The contact took the vehicle to another mechanic where she was informed that the vehicle needed an entire new engine. The contact discovered that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 18v069000 (engine and engine cooling), 14v562000 (engine and engine cooling), and 12e012000 (exterior lighting). The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to have the recalls repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the recalls or the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 167,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2019 · Electrical · 135,380 miles · TX

When I accelerate the car stalls.and then it jerks when you do accelerate and this morning it stalled out on the highway and I almost got hit I have contacted the used car lot that I just purchased this car from to complain about this issue I've had the car for three days and I've called in 24 hours after I bought the car it's dangerous.in this happens in subdivisions it happens in residential areas on the highway every time you go to accelerate the car jerks and then acts like it wants to stall out and then this morning.