161 of the
1,139 complaints filed about the Mitsubishi Lancer
are about the transmission —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
161
Complaints
14%
Share of all complaints
10
Crashes
3
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
I bought this vehicle and few weeks later I noticed at a red light. When it turned green i hit the gas. My car took a few seconds, reved and then shot out into the lane. Since then it has had issues over 20 miles and when I stop its a few seconds for the car to accelerate and move which is scary on the road. My 4 sons were horrified! I looked up SR-16-006, after my mechanic said I have exactly everything as the issue of a recall that I should be on. AutoWorx in Pittsburgh on 28th and smallman street. They wouldn't feel comfortable taking my 6k because they said its absolutely the issue covered in the 2016 CVT replacement for a 2.0 engine Lancer Mitshubushi.
NHTSA complaint #11755311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11674840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Recently the transmission has started to shudder when first driving from a stop. It only happens under low acceleration. If you push the accelerator pedel firmly it will not shudder. Wondering if this is a recall about to happen? It started on or about 4/2/2025 but is continuing to happen.
NHTSA complaint #11658645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car is bucking hi low hi low and then the service transmission light is coming on. We brought the car in a couple of weeks ago and I thought this was suppose to he fixed. It is alot worse now
NHTSA complaint #11644175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11618499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchased the vehicle with only 59K miles in May 2024. Transmission immediately started acting up, hesitating, jumping RPMs, and delayed acceleration and loss of power. Service Transmission light came on once but after restarting the light turned off, but still has the issues. Have had the fluid and gasket replaced but did not remedy the problem. This is very dangerous to drive, especially when crossing roads with loss of power and very delayed acceleration and RPMs jumping to the point of wheels spinning out.
NHTSA complaint #11616655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that after a while the system would erase any safety information used to track mileage and only show the GPS feature on the digital screen with information from 2004. The contact stated he used the digital screen for the safety features. Upon further inspection, the battery would be drained at an abnormal rate while using the Bluetooth features, and the Bluetooth would not work outside of the local dealer parking lot. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the digital screen and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #11611449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11586522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The front subframe(cross member) blew out, due to excessive corrosion. Causing the control arm to dismount as well as separation of the CV axle from the transmission, while traveling down the road losing complete steer of the vehicle. Luckily I was coming to a stop sign and not traveling on the highway. My vehicle was last inspected in April of 2023 with no warning signs of there being an issue. I've recently done some research and gathered information regarding models from 08-10 Mitsubishi lancers having the exact same issue. I contacted my dealer about the issue and they stated there are no current recalls on my year vehicle. Although they also started that the part number on my subframe is the same part number that failed on the 09-10 models. There should be a recall on 2012 Mitsubishi lancer subframe(front cross member) I hope this issue is resolved! I was fortunate to not have been injured! My vehicle has not currently been inspected after the accident because I had it towed back to my house after the accident because I was unsure what to do about the situation. The vehicle is available to be towed to be inspected if need be. A police officer did pass me and checked to make sure I was alright while I was stranded in the middle of the road while waiting for a tow truck.
NHTSA complaint #11569336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The transmission has a severe shudder and lack of power. The malfunction occurs frequently and most recently has occurred while making a left turn in an intersection when the vehicle suddenly stumbled in the middle of the intersection with oncoming traffic nearing. The problem has been confirmed by Mitsubishi with a TSB released regarding the affected vehicles TSB-22-23-001REV, however, they refuse to do anything since the vehicle is no longer under warranty. The check engine light appears when the issues occurs, code "P084a" along with the "Service Transmission" indicator on the instrument cluster.
NHTSA complaint #11564775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE HAS APROX. 100K MILES ON ODOMETER AS OF TIME OF COMPLAINT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR TRANSMISSION "SLOW DOWN" MESSAGE BEFORE. VEHICLE HESITATES FOR APROX. 1-2 SEC. BEFORE MOVING FROM A STOP. VEHICLE THEN PROCEDED TO COMPLETELY STOP AND NOT DRIVE WHILE "DRIVE" RANGE WAS SELECTED. VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC UNTIL DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, SHUT OFF, AND RESTART ENGINE. SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH OUTLANDER VEHICLES OF SIMILAR AGE AND SAME TRANSMISSION, CAUSED BY FAULTY TCM SOFTWARE. MULTIPLE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY SIMILAR FAULTS.
NHTSA complaint #11551801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased this car in 2016 brand new from the dealer. Have kept up with its maintenance but in the past couple of months, the car is not taking off. What I mean by that is that the transmission slips and won't allow the car to gain speed there is a delay in the car accelerating. This is the second time that it has happened this year and its very unsafe to use a car this way and its less than 10 years old.
NHTSA complaint #11532803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11530978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2016 SE 2.4L AWC. Purchased car in February 2022 at 66k miles. In December of 2022 at 78k miles, car lost majority power while traveling at 40 MPH, threw 'Tranmission Servie Required' warning light. Drove 3 blocks home, parked for 2 hours. Turned car on and drove normally without lights. Previous event happened x3 before changing transmission fluid in February 2023. From February to May, roughly 500 miles, no codes occured. However, occasional hesitation when accelerating from a stop. Then, in May 2023, while traveling 80 MPH, RPMs shot to 6000, car began to lose power. Pulled to shoulder, turned car off and on, and was able to travel home without issue, another 15 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11524258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car started to slow down on its own even when my foot was on the gas it wouldn’t pick up speed over 20mph then it started to over heat, then smoke. It sounded like sparks like from a firecracker and smelt like something was burning to the point I had to pull over and turn the car off so my children and I could get out and breathe. When I restarted it turned on but would not drive when put into gear. I had it towed and the next day I tried again only this time the battery was dead and nothing was left on in the car I couldn’t understand how this happened so I bought a new battery put it in and it started still wouldn’t move though so I gave it a few days went to try again and the new battery was dead like something was draining all the power.
NHTSA complaint #11521960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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)
NHTSA complaint #11516229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11464431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact then stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. After multiple failed attempts to restart the vehicle, the contact towed it to his home where it remained. The contact called the manufacturer on multiple occasions and was initially informed that his vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V563000 (Power Train) however, no further assistance could be offered because of the prior recall repair. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11455748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11441857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.