Mitsubishi – CVT Failures

Multiple Mitsubishi models equipped with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) have been alleged to suffer from serious transmission defects. According to the Hardy et al. v. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. class action, these CVTs can shudder, surge, jerk, hesitate, fail to accelerate, and ultimately experience catastrophic failure while driving. The lawsuit claims Mitsubishi sold vehicles with dangerous transmission flaws and failed to provide an adequate fix.

Year(s) Make Model Should Purchase? Notes
2014 2015 2016 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Caution Transmission: CVT (Jatco JF011E, alleged)
Issues: shuddering, surging, jerking, delayed or failed acceleration, potential catastrophic failure
Notes: explicitly referenced in Hardy et al. v. Mitsubishi as having defective CVT behavior
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Caution Transmission: CVT (Jatco JF011E/JF016E, alleged)
Issues: shudder, surge, jerk, hesitation, failure to accelerate, eventual transmission failure
Notes: core model in CVT defect allegations; subject of class action claims regarding unsafe drivability
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Caution Transmission: CVT (Jatco JF011E/JF016E, alleged)
Issues: jerking, surging, shuddering, delayed acceleration, potential catastrophic CVT failure
Notes: included in Hardy allegations as having defective CVT design/quality
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage Caution Transmission: CVT (Jatco JF015E, alleged)
Issues: shudder, surge, jerk, hesitation, failure to accelerate
Notes: small-car CVT alleged to share core defect traits; part of Hardy class action scope
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Caution Transmission: CVT (Jatco JF016E/JF017E, alleged)
Issues: shuddering, jerking, surging, delay or failure to accelerate, risk of sudden failure
Notes: newer model alleged in Hardy to carry forward Mitsubishi CVT defect pattern

Common Mitsubishi CVT Failure Symptoms

Legal context

The case Hardy et al. v. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, is a consumer class action focused on alleged CVT defects in multiple Mitsubishi models. Plaintiffs claim the CVTs were defectively designed and manufactured, causing shuddering, surging, jerking, delayed or failed acceleration, and catastrophic transmission failure, and that Mitsubishi failed to provide an adequate repair or recall.

References