While driving on a highway at approximately 55–60 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost its ability to accelerate and maintain power. The engine RPM increased, but the vehicle would not respond normally, creating a significant safety hazard in traffic. The CVT transmission intermittently enters a reduced-power mode (limp mode), making it difficult to safely merge or continue driving. Diagnostic trouble codes P0776 (Pressure Control Solenoid B Performance) and P0730 (Incorrect Gear Ratio) were confirmed by an independent transmission repair shop, which diagnosed the transmission as failed and recommended replacement. This vehicle has previously been subject to CVT-related recalls, but the transmission still experienced this failure.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport won't shift problems
12 of the 482 owner complaints about the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 56,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20211
- 20191
- 20171
- 20161
- 20155
- 20143
Often reported together
Transmission failure 2Stalling 2CVT failure 2Jerking 1Hesitation 1Check engine light 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0776 1P0730 1
What owners say
Purchased used car in July 2024 and was able to drive it maybe 2 months and the transmission would not shift and would come to a complete stop. Not a safe feeling driving in 3 lanes of traffic on a busy highway at rush hour. Transmission light on and took to mechanic and was told this make and model is notorious for transmission failure and it needs replacing. The odometer is 86316 and car has been sitting now for two years. Of course we went exactly 100 miles over the warranty and now have to pay 5000-9000 dollars for a replacement with no guarantee warranty. So now we have the car paid off and can’t drive it because it’s out of budget to replace. Thanks a lot Mitsubishi for nothing.
The brand new from the factory transmission that got replaced at a dealership to “fix” the initial recall stalled and went into limp mode while driving at under 50,000 miles.
My vehicle kept going into "limp mode" so I took it to the shop and they basically said $9,000 to replace. It's a 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport which I purchased from Carvana just over a year ago. After reading up on my vehicle, I found there were recalls on the CVT transmission the previous years because of the same exact issues. It's very unsafe because on more than one occasion, I pulled out of a parking lot and, drove for about a half a mile and then suddenly, my car loses power and starts to slow down in traffic. Now the expense to replace is just about what I owe on the vehicle. When I look online, there's many customers who have gone though the same thing. Now I have a car payment for the next 4 years on a car that I cannot safely drive. The issues from the previous years have not been resolved with the 2017 model year. I will continue to pay on it and leave it parked until there's a recall.
Vehicle will not go into reverse from drive. Must put vehicle in park then to reverse or it won’t back up.
Won't shift gears, hesitates while driving, won't drive after stopping. Check engine light and transmission service warning light is on.
My transmission doesn't go into gear right away and doesn't drive right in automatic. If I switch it to manual and only go up to 5th gear it shifts fine. There was a transmission recall for same year make and model as mine. Those recalls happened around 80,000 miles. I have 84,000. I was previously told I needed either a fuel tank or fuel injectors, never got it diagnosed. My gas gauge reads full all the time even when I dont have gas.
While driving and automatic the cat jumps rpms and doesn't shift right when in manual it drives perfectly fine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 mitsubishi outlander sport. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle jerked and would not shift gears. Also, the transmission indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to luther brookdale mitsubishi (7235 brooklyn blvd, suite b, brooklyn center, mn 55429, (844) 242-5989) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Took vehicle in to dealer due to a vibration coming from transmission, and also, my vehicle would be sluggish when it warmed up. Most concerning, was when slowing at an intersection to turn, and then pressing the gas to accelerate, the vehicle would be hesitant. This almost resulted in a car accident. Based on other reviewers, I find this to be a concern for more than just myself. I had to purchase a brand new transmission at $7,100. Total miles is 56,000. When on the highway, and attempting to accelerate. The rpms would shoot up, but the transmission felt like it would not shift gears. I had trouble at times speeding up on the highway. This could have also resulted in a bad accident.
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 won't shift
Which Mitsubishi Outlander Sport years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (5 complaints), 2014 (3 complaints) and 2016 (1 complaints).
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