Presidential candidates flip flop on issues when they can't make up their mind; our 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander flip flops on shifts. This problem has been noted before and some have suggested that a TSB exists that would solve the hesitant shifts. We've tried to have it addressed and it still exists.
I had the Mitsu for two days and I noticed that, in around-town driving I was subconsciously reacting to the lag in downshifts...
The purpose of these long term tests is to reveal problems not readily apparent in a short test drive. This tranny glitch is a perfect example of something that becomes progressively more annoying. It's a shame too, since there is so much to like about this SUV otherwise.
So, knowing what I now know, would this stop me from buying this SUV? Yes.
Philip Reed, Edmunds Senior Consumer Advice Editor @ 19,705
redliner says:
09:42 AM, 01/10/08
IMHO, The engine/drivetrain is among the top 3 most important things when evaluating a new car. like you said Philip, it really is a shame, being one of the best looking and handelling small SUVs out there. This thing would be perfect with a six-speed manual.
dodo2 says:
12:44 PM, 01/10/08
Your post and the previous ones on this issue fail to make it clear if you had the TSBs (both of them) done or not - you say "we've tried to have it addressed and it still exists". What does is mean: did you have the TSBs done on your vehicle or not?
The TSBs DO FIX the hesitation and the gear hunting issue. Plain and simple.
SubyTrojan says:
03:04 PM, 01/10/08
dodo2, Phil's just sharing his observation. Let's be nice to him.
Phil previously mentioned that the TSBs didn't apply to the Outlander the last time he took the vehicle to the dealership for this issue. Or at least that's what the dealership wanted him to believe.
http://66.160.188.111/roadtests/1485
dodo2 says:
07:18 PM, 01/10/08
Suby: There is nothing personal in my post.
The thing is if your car has the hesitation, the TSBs should apply. I was asking before what is the manufacturing date on your vehicle in order to establish if the TSBs apply or not, but no one ever answered the question. ALL the Outlanders manufactured before July 2007 exhibit this problem and they should receive the software update.
I posted a link to the TSBs as well, but it seems like nobody at Edmunds is really interested in solving the problem; instead, there are multiple posts (complaints) about this issue. Trust me; there are few other little things to nitpick at the Outlander than this non-issue.
If your dealer is incompetent (very possible considering an older post about the service you guys received), than you should take it elsewhere or go into the dealership with a copy of the TSB, like any informed owner would do (for any brand).
I just want to help anyone really interested in learning about this vehicle. Besides, any Outlander manufactured after July 1, 2007 does not have this issue so this post does not apply to the current Outlanders (MY08 and a good part of MY07).
SubyTrojan says:
08:18 PM, 01/10/08
I perceived the "DO FIX" in all caps as you being frustrated. Please forgive me if I was wrong.
On the Outlander's last service visit, the dealership said the TSBs didn't apply to the vehicle. If the LT Outlander's VIN doesn't fall within the range of the vehicles the TSB applies to, there isn't much else the fine folks at Inside Line can do regarding this issue. They could try taking a shot at what I'm about to write.
One thing someone can try doing in this situation is going to another (read: better) dealership/service department. I've heard South Coast Mitsubishi in Costa Mesa is one of the better ones. Instead of trying to get the work done per the TSBs, a proper complaint needs to be made that the vehicle isn't shifting properly. Here's the catch - I don't know what Mitsubishi's warranty service guidelines are.
I know with Bimmers, we, the warranty personnel at the BMW dealership I used to work at, could legitimately (that's the key, folks) claim for reprogramming the transmission EGS module of vehicles that weren't shifting properly as a means of addressing the customer's complaint of rough up- or downshifts. There were instances when we could say that the customer's issue was similar to a known issue, especially if it was a common issue with the GM or ZF transmissions used in that particular vehicle. We'd could say the condition was similar to that of SMB/SIB 24 xx xx. To aid us in substantiating the claim, we would make sure the technicians verified the condition on a test drive and/or print out diagnostic sheets containing the pertinent fault code(s) and the reprogramming that was performed.
A common complaint was vehicles with automatic transmissions downshifting abruptly when coming to a stop. If the issue is common enough BMWNA will usually issue a SMB (service measures bulletin). If it becomes a bigger issue, BMWNA will then issue a SIB (service information bulletin).
Tip of the Day
---------------
The 3 C's of Warranty Work
1) Complaint/Condition
2) Cause
3) Correction
Nice one, Phil. I just realized the photo you used was from Kelly's Full Test article.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=118989
dodo2 says:
11:04 PM, 01/10/08
Suby: I used caps to underline that this is a fact.
Your vehicle DOES (100% sure) fall under the TSB since the LT started sometime in April 2007. The TSBs (please note that there are two of them - one for the ECM and one for the TCM) apply to ALL (no exception) 2007 Outlanders manufactured before July 1 IIRC. There are no IFs and BUTs. It's stated in the TSBs.
Print copies of the TSBs and take them to a competent dealership. Beware that they must be done in a certain sequence so make sure you point that out to the dealer in case they don't know that or they assume they don't need to read the TSB (like my dealer did initially). After the procedure is done, the dealer should put a label (from Mitsubishi) under the hood with the new software version, TSBs no.(both of them) and the dealer ID. Check that before you leave and make sure they put the label on and it’s complete and accurate (see how it should look like on the page 11 of the ECM TSB).
I hope this helps and this will be the last post about this issue (should I say non-issue?).
dodo2 says:
11:10 PM, 01/10/08
I forgot to mention that the issue is easy enough to reproduce so the dealership shouldn't have any objections.
I guess every manufacturer has similar policies in regards to the warranty work. However, with both my Mazda and Mitsu I had TSBs done "proactively" - without actually having to prove the issue. I guess it depends on the dealership and how you talk to the service people.
dodo2 says:
11:23 PM, 01/10/08
This one is for Philip:
Let me ask you this: Knowing what you know now and you didn't know before this blog, would you buy this SUV?
The question assumes you take the car in, have the TSBs done and the hesitation (and the gear hunting which you didn't mention but it exists) is gone.
bankerdanny says:
12:54 PM, 01/11/08
I have a similar problem with my 2007 Forester. Step on the gas and the engine rev's rise, but speed doesn't and the tranny waits and interminably long time to kick down.
I agree with the early commenter regarding the importance of the power train.
I generally like my car, but later this spring I will be driving over to my local Mini dealer to test the new Clubman S.
SubyTrojan says:
02:22 PM, 01/11/08
The Subaru 4-speed automatic transmission is whack, Jack, er, Dan.
I drove my aunt's bugeye WRX Sedan 4AT back in May 2007. I was extremely disappointed.
benson2175 says:
11:23 PM, 01/11/08
The majority of autos are whack. You want something done right, you gonna have to do it yourself.
firstwagon says:
12:23 PM, 01/13/08
Is "whack" good or bad?
SubyTrojan says:
02:48 PM, 01/13/08
Sorry, firstwagon. "Whack" means "bad."
ultrarad says:
02:08 PM, 01/25/08
I have a new 2008 XLS AWD and i think the transmission is great. Mitsubishi has taken the few items customers complained of on the 2007 model and redone them in a period of less than a year - pretty dedicated in my book. The doors have been improved and now blend in with the rest of the interior. The tramsission is instantaneous and is always in the correct gear for the driving moment. If a reviewer/driver were serious about control, they should really only be driving manual transmission type automobiles - that's the only true way to be in "control." As for me, the Outlander's transmission (along with the paddle shifters) gives me just the right amount of control for the type of driving I prefer. Don't let the Edmunds-ilk scare you away from this car - it is better designed than most every other SUV/CUV in its class.