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2017 Outlander GT CVT Hesitation and Whining Noise

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 4:13 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander GT

Hey everyone, I'm hoping someone here can offer some advice. My 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander GT, with about 85,000 miles, has started acting strange lately. When accelerating from a stop, especially uphill, there's a noticeable hesitation, almost like it's struggling to find the right gear.

On top of that, I've noticed a distinct whining noise coming from what sounds like the transmission area, particularly when driving at highway speeds. It's not constant but definitely concerning. I'm worried this might be a sign of a failing CVT.

I haven't seen any warning lights on the dash yet, but the performance feels off. Has anyone experienced similar issues with their Outlander's CVT? What should I be looking out for, and what might be the typical repair costs if it is the CVT?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 25, 4:13 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

It sounds like you're experiencing some common symptoms associated with CVT wear in higher mileage vehicles, especially the hesitation and whining noise. It's good you're addressing it proactively.

Possible Causes:

  1. CVT Fluid Degradation: Over time, CVT fluid can break down, losing its lubricating and cooling properties, leading to increased friction and heat, which manifests as hesitation and whining.
  2. Worn Internal Components: The belt or pulleys within the CVT can wear down, causing slippage and inefficient power transfer. This is often the root cause of the hesitation.
  3. Valve Body Issues: Problems with the CVT's valve body can lead to incorrect fluid pressure, affecting how the transmission engages and disengages.
  4. Torque Converter Lock-up Issues: A failing torque converter can cause shuddering or hesitation, sometimes mimicking transmission issues.

When to See a Shop: You should get your vehicle inspected by a qualified Mitsubishi technician or a transmission specialist as soon as possible. Continuing to drive with these symptoms can exacerbate the problem and lead to more costly repairs.

Recommended Steps:

  1. Diagnostic Scan: Even without a check engine light, a professional scan tool can often reveal pending or historic trouble codes (e.g., P0741 for Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or P0715 for Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction) that indicate specific CVT issues.
  2. CVT Fluid Inspection: Have the fluid level and condition checked. If it's dark, burnt, or low, a fluid and filter change might be recommended, though this is often a temporary fix if internal wear is significant.
  3. Road Test and Inspection: A technician will perform a road test to confirm the symptoms and visually inspect the transmission for leaks or external damage.
  4. Internal Inspection: In some cases, if fluid changes don't resolve the issue, further diagnosis might require dropping the transmission pan or even removing the transmission for an internal inspection.

Addressing this early can prevent complete CVT failure, which is a very expensive repair, often involving a full replacement.

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