Mitsubishi – Conventional Automatic & Early CVT Failures (Pre‑Lawsuit)

Outside the major CVT class action litigation, Mitsubishi has a long history of transmission issues involving both early‑2000s conventional automatics and pre‑2014 CVT designs. These failures were typically handled through TSBs, dealer goodwill, or individual repairs rather than large nationwide class actions.

Year(s) Make Model Should Purchase? Notes
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Awareness Transmission: F4A41 / F4A42 (Conventional Automatic)
Issues: shift flare, harsh shifts, solenoid failures, torque converter shudder
Notes: typically resolved via TSBs or rebuilds; no major class action activity
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Mitsubishi Galant Awareness Transmission: F4A51 (Conventional Automatic)
Issues: harsh shifts, delayed engagement, solenoid pack failures
Notes: common aging automatic issues; handled through dealer repairs and rebuilds
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Caution Transmission: V4A51 (Conventional Automatic)
Issues: torque converter failure, harsh shifts, solenoid issues, overheating
Notes: heavy‑vehicle use accelerates wear; no consolidated litigation
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Caution Transmission: V4A51 (Conventional Automatic)
Issues: torque converter failure, harsh shifts, solenoid issues, overheating
Notes: heavy‑vehicle use accelerates wear; no consolidated litigation
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor Awareness Transmission: F4A51 (Conventional Automatic)
Issues: shift flare, delayed shifting, torque converter vibration
Notes: typically resolved with rebuilds or valve body replacement
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Caution Transmission: Jatco CVT‑7 / CVT‑8 (Early Variants)
Issues: belt/pulley wear, overheating, whining noise, judder during takeoff
Notes: early CVT attempts; failures handled individually, not via large class actions
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Caution Transmission: Jatco CVT‑7 / CVT‑8 (Early Variants)
Issues: belt/pulley wear, overheating, whining noise, judder during takeoff
Notes: early CVT attempts; failures handled individually, not via large class actions
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Caution Transmission: Jatco CVT‑7 / CVT‑8 (Early Variants)
Issues: belt/pulley wear, overheating, whining noise, judder during takeoff
Notes: early CVT attempts; failures handled individually, not via large class actions

Common Failure Modes

Legal context

These issues were generally addressed through technical service bulletins, warranty repairs, or transmission rebuilds. Unlike the Hardy CVT lawsuit, early Mitsubishi automatic and CVT failures did not result in large consolidated class actions.

References