Rather recently, Mitsubishi Motors North America had issued a recall for its Outlander Sport (we’re more familiar with it as the ASX) that was triggered by a potential fault found with its continuously variable transmission which affected 2015 models.
Now, though, a newer recall has surfaced that expands it, now larger to include the 2016 Outlander Sport as well as the larger 2016 Outlander SUV and 2016 Lancer sedan - all of which use the same CVT to transfer drive from engine to wheels.
The original 2015 Outlander Sport recall concerned an hose clamp that could likely come loose and cause all sorts of erratic behaviour with the transmission. This time, though, the problem stems from a software issue found in the car’s transmission control unit (TCU).
According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the fault could manifest to drivers as a momentary loss of signal from the CVT’s range sensor that interferes with the car’s ECU and could cause the car to accelerate in abnormal fashion.
The statement reads: "When the range switch momentarily experiences a loss of signal, the CVT-ECU believes that the driver has manually shifted the selector from neutral (N) to drive (D) while the throttle is open. In response, the CVT-ECU instructs the engine-ECU to reduce its torque output to prevent “shift shock” and slippage of the CVT metal belt. This reduction in engine torque can directly affect vehicle acceleration and would be perceived by the driver as vehicle hesitation."
Basically, the clearest example would be in an overtaking maneuver in which the driver would push the accelerator pedal and expect a corresponding increase in engine speed and vehicle speed. However, the fault causes the CVT to not react in time and could potentially cause a dangerous driving situation.
It is estimated that over 82,000 Mitsubishi vehicles in North America are affected. It’s not known yet whether cars in other markets such as Australia have the same faulty software in the units sold here with a CVT.
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