The vehicle is currently experiencing severe hesitation during acceleration, slipping gears, high RPM surging, shuddering, jerking at low speeds, and complete loss of motive power. This behavior represents a critical safety hazard, particularly when merging onto highways or turning across oncoming traffic. I have yet to take it to a dealer due to financial hardship and concern for my safety of driving it to one. It has yet to be inspected. Manufacturer was contacted via email about current issues but have had no response yet. There were no warning lamps when I initially was driving away from dealer.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport jerking problems
41 of the 482 owner complaints about the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 41
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 22,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20241
- 20211
- 20172
- 20162
- 201533
- 20142
Often reported together
Hesitation 17CVT failure 7Loss of power 6Transmission failure 2Shudder 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P0868 1P0776 1P0446 1
What owners say
Car jerks like it’s losing power when pulling off, not sure if it’s transmission issue or engine issue
I was turning out of my neighborhood and as I accelerated to merge with traffic my car started jerking. My dashboard “D” symbol only started flashing on and off and then my transmission service required light came on, (just had it done 8/25 and it is 11/25) and the BSW service required light came on as well. As I continued down the street everytime I pressed on the gas pedal the car kept jerking backwards and forward.
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing rough idling, and the failure mainly occurred while the air conditioning system was activated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds or from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and responded upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while reversing. The contact stated that the failure had caused the vehicle to bump into nearby curbs while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined; however, the dealer cleaned the throttle body. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately 4 to 5 times. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Car during acceleration feels very jerky, safety issue as during turns if acceleration it might jerk make it feel a bit unknown of what speed it might be. additionally such jerkiness might cause driver to be kicked back into seat and head rest potentially causing injury. Feel like it might be CVT slipping at times.
In less than one year with this car, 2016 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT, is hesitating when accelerating then jerking forward into 4th gear, while driving at various speeds, the steering column vibrates makes loud sound, I’ve replaced the headlights at least 6x, water is getting in the vehicle somehow even a car wish will leave the floorboards soaking wet, the steering sways. This car had given me more issues in a year than all my cars throughout my lifetime combined and vehicle's vin number was NOT INCLUDED IN MANY SAFETY RECALLS. CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF THE CRASH.
The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) system failed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The failure caused the vehicle to lose acceleration, delay response to the gas pedal, and jerk while driving. These issues made it unsafe to drive, as the car could not maintain a consistent speed, risking accidents, especially in traffic or during merging. Yes, the issue was confirmed by the dealer, Jim Shorkey Mitsubishi North Huntingdon, after inspection. They verified the problem and provided diagnostic codes indicating internal transmission failure (P0776, P0868, P0446). 01-16-25 The vehicle was inspected by the dealership’s service department. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Yes, warning lamps or messages were displayed prior to the failure about 7-14 days prior. The symptoms, including delayed acceleration, jerking motions, and loss of power, appeared suddenly on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The CVT transmission would lose power when making a turn over last few yrs. My safety was put at risk due to oncoming traffic could have hit the car due to loss of power. The service transmission required light just started coming on after dealing with loss of power. Car only has 106,000 miles on it. The car is available for inspection & is currently at TMT Automotive in Bremen IN. Codes coming up are transmission issues. The loss of power issue started in 2018 when the car was purchased; I did not know this was a sign of transmission issue. There was not a warranty on the car when purchased. There were no lights or warnings until last week when the car started lurching forward & light came on for the first time for transmission service. I scheduled a diagnostic appt with TMT as soon as it happened. I do not have documentation yet due to car is at the TMT Automotive, waiting to hear on 3/25/24 from shop if the transmission is bad.
The contact owns a 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact replaced the battery; however, while driving, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The traction control warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the map sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the vehicle was not covered under Mitsubishi Campaign Number: SR−16−006. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated while at a stop light and attempting to accelerate the vehicle hesitated and failed to properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle then lunged forward and jerked. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train). The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module: software
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with continuously variable transmissions and mechanical key ignition systems. A software error in the transmission control unit (CVT-ECU) may incorrectly reduce the transmission gear ratio at high speeds, which can result in an engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the CVT-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.
Recall number 22V563000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- 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
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain model year 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport vehicles manufactured June 25, 2014, through November 25, 2015 and equipped with a 2.0L engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). During assembly, a clamp for a CVT hose may not have been properly secured, allowing the hose to detach and leak transmission fluid.
- Risk
- If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may become inoperable, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if leaking transmission fluid contacts an a hot surface there is an increased risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hose clamps, correcting their installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2016. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-16-005.
Recall number 16V548000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport jerking
Which Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (33 complaints), 2014 (2 complaints) and 2016 (2 complaints).
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