MajorVery commonTransmission

Mitsubishi Mirage: CVT INVECS-III Push-Belt Judder on Acceleration

CVT INVECS-III Push-Belt Judder on Acceleration is a very common transmission fault on the Mitsubishi Mirage on the 2012–2023 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $180 to $6,500 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 11 documented faults on the Mitsubishi Mirage.

Vehicle: Mitsubishi Mirage
Years: 2012–2023
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: cvt
System: Transmission

This page covers the Mitsubishi Mirage 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 Mirage faults11 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 INVECS-III CVT fitted to A03A/A05A Mirages uses a push-belt running between variable-diameter pulleys. When the dedicated CVT fluid (Mitsubishi SP-III/DiaQueen CVTF-J1) degrades — typically after 60,000+ km or in stop-start city use — the belt micro-slips on the pulley faces, producing a pronounced shudder during light-throttle take-off and low-speed cruising. Mitsubishi issued TSB MUT-0120CVTF covering an urgent fluid drain-and-refill procedure. Many cars reach NZ/AU with fluid never changed, making judder almost universal in high-mileage examples.

What you would notice

Rhythmic shudder or vibration felt through the cabin at 10–40 km/h light throttle
Hesitation then lurch when pulling away from traffic lights
Shudder worsens when engine is cold and diminishes (but does not disappear) once fully warm
Occasional harsh engagement when selecting Drive from Park after the vehicle has sat overnight
Burnt or discoloured CVT fluid on inspection

How to check it

Where to look. CVT unit beneath engine bay, driver-side of transmission tunnel

During test drive: accelerate gently from standstill between 10–40 km/h and hold steady throttle. Any vibration or rhythmic shudder through the driveline at light throttle indicates belt slip. Also check CVT fluid colour via dipstick or drain plug — should be pale pink/red, not dark brown or burnt-smelling.

Parts involved: CVT belt and pulleys.

What it costs to put right

$180 to $6,500 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

“Has the CVT fluid ever been replaced, and if so, at what odometer reading?”
“Have you noticed any shudder or vibration when pulling away slowly?”
“Has the car ever been in a workshop for CVT-related work or diagnostic codes?”

Now check the Mitsubishi Mirage 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 Mirage buyer questions

Is cvt invecs-iii push-belt judder on acceleration serious on a Mitsubishi Mirage?

We rate it major and very common on the Mitsubishi Mirage. The INVECS-III CVT fitted to A03A/A05A Mirages uses a push-belt running between variable-diameter pulleys. When the dedicated CVT fluid (Mitsubishi SP-III/DiaQueen CVTF-J1) degrades — typically after 60,000+ km or in stop-start city use — the belt micro-slips on the pulley faces, producing a pronounced shudder during light-throttle take-off and low-speed cruising. Mitsubishi issued TSB MUT-0120CVTF covering an urgent fluid drain-and-refill procedure. Many cars reach NZ/AU with fluid never changed, making judder almost universal in high-mileage examples.

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

$180 to $6,500 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 Mirage years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2012–2023 Mitsubishi Mirage. 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.