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2018 Outlander Sport CVT Shuddering and RPM Surges

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 4:06 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES

Hey everyone,

I've got a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES with about 75,000 miles on it, and I'm starting to experience some concerning issues with the CVT. When accelerating, especially from a stop or at lower speeds, the transmission feels like it's shuddering or vibrating pretty badly. It's not a smooth acceleration at all.

On top of that, I've noticed the RPMs will sometimes surge unexpectedly, even when I'm trying to maintain a steady speed on the highway. It's almost like the transmission is struggling to find the right ratio. There's no check engine light on yet, but it's definitely getting worse. Has anyone else dealt with this? What could be causing it?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 25, 4:06 AM

0

ClearTheCode admin answer:

It sounds like your 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is exhibiting common signs of wear or fluid degradation. These symptoms are often indicative of internal CVT issues that require prompt attention.

Potential Causes:

  1. Degraded CVT Fluid: Over time and mileage, CVT fluid can break down, losing its lubricating and cooling properties. This can lead to increased friction, shuddering, and inefficient operation.
  2. Worn Belt or Pulleys: The core components of a CVT are its belt and pulleys. Excessive wear on these parts can cause slipping, shuddering, and incorrect ratio changes, leading to RPM surges.
  3. Valve Body Issues: Problems within the CVT's valve body can affect hydraulic pressure, leading to erratic behavior and poor shifting performance.
  4. Software Glitch: Less commonly, a transmission control module (TCM) software issue could cause irregular operation, though usually, this would trigger a diagnostic trouble code.

What to Do:

  1. Check CVT Fluid: While there's no traditional dipstick, a qualified technician can check the fluid level and condition. Dark, burnt-smelling fluid is a strong indicator of a problem.
  2. Diagnostic Scan: Even without a check engine light, a professional scan tool can sometimes pull pending or historical transmission-specific codes that a generic OBD-II scanner might miss.
  3. Professional Inspection: Have a Mitsubishi specialist or a reputable transmission shop inspect the vehicle. They can perform a road test and potentially a pressure test to diagnose the internal health of the CVT.

When to See a Shop:

You should schedule an appointment immediately. Continuing to drive with these symptoms can exacerbate the problem and potentially lead to complete transmission failure, which is a very costly repair. Early diagnosis and intervention, such as a fluid change (if appropriate and not too late) or minor repairs, could prevent a full replacement.

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