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Mitsubishi Colt: INVECS-III CVT Belt Judder and Shudder at Low Speed

INVECS-III CVT Belt Judder and Shudder at Low Speed is a common transmission fault on the Mitsubishi Colt on the 2004–2012 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $150 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 10 documented faults on the Mitsubishi Colt.

Vehicle
Mitsubishi Colt
Years
2004–2012
Fuel
petrol
Gearbox
cvt
System
Transmission

This page covers the Mitsubishi Colt as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mitsubishi Colt faults10 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the CVT belt and pulleys yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The Jatco-sourced INVECS-III CVT fitted to automatic Colt variants develops a characteristic judder or shudder under light load at low vehicle speeds, typically between 20 and 50 km/h, as the CVT fluid ages and its friction-modifier additives deplete. Degraded fluid causes belt-to-pulley micro-slip during the engagement phase, producing the distinctive vibration; if ignored, the condition accelerates wear on the steel push-belt and the primary and secondary pulley faces, eventually requiring full CVT replacement.

What you would notice

  • Vibration or shudder felt through the drivetrain and cabin floor at low-speed light-throttle acceleration
  • Hesitation or surge when pulling away from rest at slow speed
  • Transmission appearing to slip, hunt between ratios, or fail to build road speed smoothly

How to check it

Where to look. CVT unit mounted transversely at the front of the vehicle on the left/driver side of the engine, sharing the bellhousing with the 4A91 or 4G15T engine.

Check CVT fluid condition and level via the overflow bolt procedure; fluid must be pink and translucent, not brown, dark, or burnt-smelling; note total mileage and last fluid change date against the 40,000 km service interval; conduct a road test specifically at 20 to 50 km/h under light throttle to reproduce judder.

Parts involved: CVT belt and pulleys.

What it costs to put right

$150 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “When was the CVT fluid last changed and with what fluid specification?”
  • “Has the transmission ever shuddered, slipped, or been serviced by a transmission specialist?”
  • “Does the car exhibit any hesitation or vibration when pulling away from rest?”

Now check the Mitsubishi Colt you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Mitsubishi Colt buyer questions

Is invecs-iii cvt belt judder and shudder at low speed serious on a Mitsubishi Colt?

We rate it major and common on the Mitsubishi Colt. The Jatco-sourced INVECS-III CVT fitted to automatic Colt variants develops a characteristic judder or shudder under light load at low vehicle speeds, typically between 20 and 50 km/h, as the CVT fluid ages and its friction-modifier additives deplete. Degraded fluid causes belt-to-pulley micro-slip during the engagement phase, producing the distinctive vibration; if ignored, the condition accelerates wear on the steel push-belt and the primary and secondary pulley faces, eventually requiring full CVT replacement.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mitsubishi Colt?

$150 to $3,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mitsubishi Colt years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2004–2012 Mitsubishi Colt. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check CVT fluid condition and level via the overflow bolt procedure; fluid must be pink and translucent, not brown, dark, or burnt-smelling; note total mileage and last fluid change date against the 40,000 km service interval; conduct a road test specifically at 20 to 50 km/h under light throttle to reproduce judder. Look here: CVT unit mounted transversely at the front of the vehicle on the left/driver side of the engine, sharing the bellhousing with the 4A91 or 4G15T engine.