Mitsubishi Parts Guides

Part numbers, fitment and common faults for Mitsubishi models — organised by model below.

The CVT Gearbox Is a Genuine, Well-Documented Concern — But the Evidence Points Squarely at Maintenance

The CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic, fitted widely across the Outlander and ASX, is genuinely the most reported reliability concern across both models — serious enough that a class-action lawsuit was filed in December 2021 alleging the transmission suffered from erratic shifting and hesitation, and serious enough that Mitsubishi recalled more than 82,400 vehicles to address a related transmission acceleration delay. Reported symptoms include shuddering or hesitation under acceleration, a slipping sensation where engine revs rise without a matching increase in speed, overheating warnings, and in more serious cases, complete transmission failure requiring replacement — a repair that owner reports put anywhere from roughly £1,200-£3,200 for a lesser repair up to £7,500-£9,500 or more for a full replacement.

What's genuinely striking across owner forums is how directly transmission longevity correlates with fluid change discipline. One long-term owner reported 236,000 trouble-free miles on an original CVT with consistent maintenance; another reported complete failure and a five-figure replacement quote at under 200,000 miles after admittedly inconsistent fluid changes. Mitsubishi's own transmission control software tracks an internal "oil degradation counter" — readable via a diagnostic scan tool — that increases every time the fluid overheats, giving a genuinely useful, checkable indicator of a used car's transmission health beyond mileage alone. Independent specialists consistently recommend changing CVT fluid every 30,000-60,000km — more frequently than Mitsubishi's own official interval in many cases — and avoiding repeated hard acceleration, which is specifically what overheats and degrades the fluid fastest. If you're buying a used Mitsubishi with this transmission, asking a specialist to check this degradation counter, alongside a genuine fluid-change service history, is a much more informative check than mileage alone.

The Timing Chain Is a Genuine Strength — No Belt to Worry About

It's worth balancing the transmission concern against a real positive: Mitsubishi's engines across this range use a timing chain rather than a belt, meaning there's no scheduled replacement interval to budget for the way there would be with a belt-driven design. This is a genuine point in Mitsubishi's favour that shouldn't get lost amid the CVT discussion — the two are entirely separate systems, and a car can have a completely healthy engine and timing chain while still needing CVT attention, or vice versa.

Model Year Matters — 2014-2018 Is the Higher-Risk Window

Across independent sources, 2014-2018 model years show a consistently higher concentration of CVT-related complaints than either earlier or later examples, with reliability showing genuine, measurable improvement from around 2020 onward. If minimising CVT risk is a priority, a 2020-or-later Outlander or ASX with full service history — particularly one showing CVT fluid changes at or ahead of the recommended interval — is a considerably safer bet than an earlier example, regardless of how tempting a lower asking price might be.

Other Recurring Issues Worth Knowing

Electrical faults — battery drain traced to faulty alternators, malfunctioning power windows and door locks, and occasional infotainment glitches — are a fairly frequently reported theme across both models, generally manageable rather than serious. Suspension wear, particularly in the front lower control arm bushings, is also a recurring complaint on higher-mileage examples, showing up as clunking or squeaking over bumps and, if left unaddressed, genuine handling instability — worth checking on any test drive of a higher-mileage car. Diesel models (1.8 DI-D on the ASX) carry the usual DPF clogging risk common to most diesels used mainly for short journeys, worth factoring in if that matches your typical driving pattern.

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Each guide covers a specific part on a specific model, with fitment notes across generations, known failure symptoms, and honest advice on OEM versus aftermarket options.

Mitsubishi Parts Guides

The CVT Gearbox Is a Genuine, Well-Documented Concern — But the Evidence Points Squarely at Maintenance

The Timing Chain Is a Genuine Strength — No Belt to Worry About

Model Year Matters — 2014-2018 Is the Higher-Risk Window

Other Recurring Issues Worth Knowing

Find Your Part Fast

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi L200