Mitsubishi Lancer won't shift 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 Oct 7, 2024 · Transmission · MA

Loss of power on acceleration, rpms going up and down, hesitation in acceleration, going into limp mode won't accelerate over 25-40mph pulled code P084A shop believes it needs a complete replacement based on their computer systems repair procedures guidelines. Car has just over 107k miles on it and is a pre-owned. No information was given regarding this issue having happened or if it was ever repaired based on the recall in 2016 but shows as not having any unrepaired recalls when searching the VIN in the search tool. Cannot afford a new transmission not sure what to do.

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 Sep 20, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · MO

The car started flashing a warning sign and loosing power. When trying to accelerate it stops. Eventually it puts the car into a limp mode and will stall altogether. This happens any long distance trip. My car year and model is not the only Lancer being effected by this computer glitch. It’s very dangerous due to the fact that the cars loosing power while you’re driving. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the middle of the highway it will just stop working. All research I have done points to an error within the computer that tells the car when to cool down the transmission. I have seen many blogs, forums and actually know another Lancer owner who’s model is a 2012 and has the exact same issue. I don’t know why this hasn’t been addressed yet when it’s affecting more than just one Lancer here or there. Bad for the engine bad for the transmission bad for my travel. And the worst part is that any mechanic is unable to detect the issue unless the car is actively coding. I’ve had this car for 3 years now and I feel it’s a big safety concern and needs to looked into. First occurrence was on a trip down to a local lake car stalled on the side of a highway this was in 2018. Now any trip further than over 30 miles or more the car will throw this code it looks like a gear and it has a exclamation point in the middle. It’s progressively getting worse and effecting the over all performance more each time I wish to travel. Please find out why this issue is occurring in multiple years of the same model of car because it inconvenient and dangerous. I would hate for myself and my kids to get killed in an accident due to not being able to get out of the way of a bigger vehicle or a truck.

Filed Aug 21, 2018 · 88,600 miles · MN

Purchased 2011 lancer in 2011. In march 2013 mitsubishi issued a tech service bulletin and revised it in june of 2013. The engine service light comes on and must be taken to dealer for service. Mitsubishi does a simple software upgrade to the ECM and resets. The problem is that is mitsubishi is simply letting these vehicles get to this failure point and vehicles can go into limp mode (meaning drive no faster than 45mph) rather than proactively avoiding the problem. Further, they are knowingly allowing vehicles to get past the warranty period without repair thus forcing customers to pay to have this known issue resolved. To add to the problem is mitsubishi will not allow non-mitsubishi service centers, mechanics or repair shops to update the ECM and I am forced to take it to an authorized mitsubishi dealer for fixing. Because these vehicles have had other safety recalls and warranty repair work, they should have simply taken 15 minutes to upgraded the ECM software and reset at the time to avoid this from happening rather than letting the warranty expire and charging me to fix a known issue.

Filed Dec 13, 2017 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · OH

The transmission doesn't shift into gear easily as well as jumps out of first gear when taking off from stop. When shifting into 3rd and 5th it is difficult to shift into while moving. This is a dangerous situation when driving. All upper gears are difficult to shift into. The clutch failed twice in less than 40k miles then the replacement failed after only 1,000. Not sure if they are related.

Filed Jan 17, 2011 · Transmission · 146,100 miles · MA

My slave cylinder failed due to leakage from the transmission. As I was driving uphill and tried to shift into 2nd gear the clutch pedal just went straight to the floor and my car got stuck in neutral. Its costing me 1000 dollars to fix it. There is a tsb out on this problem and I don't understand why this hasn't been made a recall yet??? It looks like a quite common problem for people and a costly one at that. Very unfair that we are having to pay for these repairs when this was a manufacturers defect.

Filed Jun 13, 2010 · Transmission · 119,036 miles · WI

The slave cylinder on my 2002 mitsubishi lancer went out while driving the car. I was driving on the freeway when this happen and I could no longer get my car to go into gear. I had to get over from the left lane of traffic to the shoulder of the right lane without being able to accelerate because my car would not go into gear. I had to cut other drivers off and almost caused an accident. The slave cylinder leaked brake fluid all over the clutch and now that has to be replaced too. Mitsubishi knew this was a problem because they changed the design in 2004. I have read about this same problem from others who have the same car.

Filed Nov 30, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 207,908 miles · CA

1/ at about 207000 miles check engine light came on. Dealers diagnosis and 2 other repair shops : catalytic converter has to be replaced. Cost for this job: $ 1500. I did not replace catalytic converter and was performing normally. This happened first time in my life, that catalytic converter gives up during the life of the car. 2/ at 246,570 miles while vehicle was on, would not go into gear. Dealers diagnosis: car needs clutch assembly and resurface flywheel and clutch slave cylinder. Cost for this repair: about 1,200 plus tax again 1st time happened to me that car needs clutch assembly work with slave cylinder during the live of the car. 4/ while they checked the car for gear problem they recommended to me to replace timing belt: cost $ 723 plus tax and replacing valve cover gasket: cost $ 264 plus tax I believe they ripping people off, because while replacing timing belt they have to remove valve cover and they should not charge 2x for removing valve cover. This was estimated by mitsubishi-mazda dealership in san bernardino, ca. I'm questioning their prices and ability to properly diagnose and do this repairs based on the statements they made and their prices. After every time this car is serviced at mitsubishi dealer this car have more problems: screws missing, broken parts, engine check light comes on. I need from mitsubishi motor of north america inc. List of good repair facilities where the car can be repaired not sabotaged, where they have knowledgeable technician not monkeys. I had a few cars, but never happened that catalytic converter or clutch needed to be replaced during the life of the car, or I had to spent few thousand of $$ for repairs while maintaining the car properly during it's life.

Filed Jul 1, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 13,000 miles · NJ · crash

My son was attempting to stop at a red light when the brakes started to pulse uncontrollably, and the brake pedal when down to the floor. Also the ABS light lit up. Unfortunately he could not stop in time and he hit the car in front of him. Three weeks later after the car was repaired, I went to go start the car and the car would not go into gear, the instrument panel lit up and some of my electric stop working. I had the car towed to the dealer. After two days of diagnostics they said there was a problem with a wiring harness due to the accident. I tried to explain to the dealer that the ABS was the reason we had the accident in the first place and that was when the electrical problem started. There was a bill for $423 that we had to pay because the dealer insisted the problem was due to the accident. I will be in touch with mitsubishi to see if this can be rectified. Also I do hope someone will investigate this electrical problem. It was very unnerving to hit the brakes and the car would not stop.