MajorCommonTransmission

Mitsubishi Lancer: SST Twin-Clutch Clutch Pack Wear in Stop-Start Traffic (Evo X)

SST Twin-Clutch Clutch Pack Wear in Stop-Start Traffic (Evo X) is a common transmission fault on the Mitsubishi Lancer on the 2008–2016 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $3,000 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 39 documented faults on the Mitsubishi Lancer.

Vehicle: Mitsubishi Lancer
Only on: Evolution
Years: 2008–2016
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: dct
System: Transmission

This page covers the Mitsubishi Lancer 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 Lancer faults39 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 Sport Shift Transmission (SST) in the Evo X is a wet dual-clutch unit designed primarily for performance driving. It is poorly suited to frequent low-speed stop-start traffic driving, which causes the wet clutch packs to wear prematurely through repeated slip engagement at low speeds. Mitsubishi issued revised launch control software to reduce clutch wear, but the fundamental design limitation in traffic conditions remains. Clutch pack replacement is expensive and requires specialist transmission knowledge. Vehicles used primarily in city traffic show this wear much earlier than highway or circuit examples.

What you would notice

Shudder or vibration when pulling away from rest in SST auto mode
Delayed or jerky gear changes at low speed
Harsh engagement when selecting Drive from Neutral
SST warning light or fault codes in TCU
Burning smell from transmission after traffic driving

How to check it

Where to look. SST unit mounted behind engine on centreline of vehicle

Road test in heavy low-speed traffic conditions — perform multiple stop-start manoeuvres and feel for shudder or harshness.
Check SST fluid condition and change interval history.
Scan for TCU fault codes.
Ask whether the vehicle was primarily used for commuting or performance driving.
SST software version should be confirmed as current.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$3,000 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

“Was the vehicle primarily used in city commuting or on open roads?”
“Has the SST ever shuddered or jerked when moving from rest?”
“Has the SST software been updated to the latest Mitsubishi release?”
“When was the SST fluid last changed?”

Now check the Mitsubishi Lancer 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 Lancer buyer questions

Is sst twin-clutch clutch pack wear in stop-start traffic (evo x) serious on a Mitsubishi Lancer?

We rate it major and common on the Mitsubishi Lancer. The Sport Shift Transmission (SST) in the Evo X is a wet dual-clutch unit designed primarily for performance driving. It is poorly suited to frequent low-speed stop-start traffic driving, which causes the wet clutch packs to wear prematurely through repeated slip engagement at low speeds. Mitsubishi issued revised launch control software to reduce clutch wear, but the fundamental design limitation in traffic conditions remains. Clutch pack replacement is expensive and requires specialist transmission knowledge. Vehicles used primarily in city traffic show this wear much earlier than highway or circuit examples.

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

$3,000 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 Lancer years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2008–2016 Mitsubishi Lancer. 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?

Road test in heavy low-speed traffic conditions — perform multiple stop-start manoeuvres and feel for shudder or harshness. Check SST fluid condition and change interval history. Scan for TCU fault codes. Ask whether the vehicle was primarily used for commuting or performance driving. SST software version should be confirmed as current. Look here: SST unit mounted behind engine on centreline of vehicle