MajorCommonTransmission

Mitsubishi Delica: Invecs-III CVT Judder from Fluid Degradation or Overheating

Invecs-III CVT Judder from Fluid Degradation or Overheating is a common transmission fault on the Mitsubishi Delica on the 2007–2019 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $350 to $8,000 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 18 documented faults on the Mitsubishi Delica.

Vehicle: Mitsubishi Delica
Engine: 2.4L
Years: 2007–2019
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: cvt
System: Transmission

This page covers the Mitsubishi Delica 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 Delica faults18 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The Invecs-III JATCO-sourced CVT fitted to 4B12 2.4L petrol Delica D:5 models produces a shudder or judder under light throttle at low speed when CVT fluid degrades or overheats from towing or sustained off-road use. The CVT fluid should be changed every 40,000-60,000 km but many JDM-sourced examples arrive with fluid well beyond this interval. A fluid change resolves early cases; persistent judder after a fluid change indicates internal clutch pack or steel belt wear requiring CVT rebuild or replacement.

What you would notice

Shudder or vibration through the drivetrain at 20-50 km/h under light throttle
Hesitation or lurch when pulling away from a standstill
Transmission temperature warning light illuminating under load
Slipping sensation when accelerating moderately at highway on-ramp speeds

How to check it

Where to look. CVT unit under centre floor, mid-vehicle

Drive from cold and again when warm: apply light throttle at 30-50 km/h and feel for shudder or vibration through the floor or seat.
Check CVT fluid condition and colour.
Ask for documented fluid change history.
Towing history and regular 4WD use significantly accelerate CVT wear on this model.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$350 to $8,000 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

“Has the CVT fluid ever been changed, and at what mileage?”
“Has this vehicle been used for towing or serious off-road driving?”
“Does the transmission shudder or hesitate when pulling away at low speed?”

Now check the Mitsubishi Delica 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 Delica buyer questions

Is invecs-iii cvt judder from fluid degradation or overheating serious on a Mitsubishi Delica?

We rate it major and common on the Mitsubishi Delica. The Invecs-III JATCO-sourced CVT fitted to 4B12 2.4L petrol Delica D:5 models produces a shudder or judder under light throttle at low speed when CVT fluid degrades or overheats from towing or sustained off-road use. The CVT fluid should be changed every 40,000-60,000 km but many JDM-sourced examples arrive with fluid well beyond this interval. A fluid change resolves early cases; persistent judder after a fluid change indicates internal clutch pack or steel belt wear requiring CVT rebuild or replacement.

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

$350 to $8,000 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 Delica years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2007–2019 Mitsubishi Delica. 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?

Drive from cold and again when warm: apply light throttle at 30-50 km/h and feel for shudder or vibration through the floor or seat. Check CVT fluid condition and colour. Ask for documented fluid change history. Towing history and regular 4WD use significantly accelerate CVT wear on this model. Look here: CVT unit under centre floor, mid-vehicle