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Mitsubishi Lancer transmission failure problems

14 of the 865 owner complaints about the Mitsubishi Lancer describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2016 model year.

owner complaints
14
worst model year
2016
typical mileage
79,520
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2017
    1
  • 2016
    5
  • 2015
    1
  • 2011
    1
  • 2009
    3
  • 2008
    1
  • 2003
    2

Often reported together

Jerking 5Won't shift 2Loss of power 2Hesitation 2CVT failure 2Check engine light 2

Trouble codes mentioned

P084A 2P183D 1

What owners say

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 May 2, 2024 · Transmission · NY

Vehicle shudders and surges while driving almost rubber banding. Mechanic showing code for fluid pressure sensor. Call to local Mitsubishi dealer said transmission needs to be replaced and since we are 2nd owners the 100k mile powertrain warranty doesn’t apply. This vehicle has 81k miles and it’s already fried and Mitsubishi doesn’t care unless we buy a new one.

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 Nov 27, 2020 · Transmission · 30 miles · CA

I recently purchased a 2008 mitsubishi lancer there is a problem with the CVT transmission overheating the light stating slow down appears on dashboard I have to pull off the road turn off engine and wait between 10 to 20 mins before im able to drive again there are many complaints regarding the transmission overheating on the 2008 ,2009 and 2016 from my understanding its the transmissions that were used on on those years of vehicles now weather or not its mechanical or poor designed transmissions the manufacturer should have put a recall on these vehicles the manufacturer should have a recall on these vehicles to replace the transmissions

Filed Oct 2, 2019 · Transmission · 69,000 miles · ND

The light stating to service my transmission came on. The maintenance mileage was within stated parameters.service was completed, transmission fluid changed. Drove away and the light turned on. My transmission failed in april of 2019.

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · NJ

There's a known problem with transmission. Transmission failed under warranty at 90,000 miles and was replaced free. Transmission has now failed again at 120,000 miles and dealer refuses to replace.

Filed Nov 4, 2016 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mitsubishi lancer. While idling, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that a "slow down" error message and transmission indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure was persistent. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

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 Mitsubishi Lancer transmission failure

Which Mitsubishi Lancer years have complete transmission failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2016 (5 complaints), 2009 (3 complaints) and 2003 (2 complaints).

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