Transmission fluid leak risk prompts Mitsubishi RVR recall

By Chris Chase

Jul 28, 2016

Summary

Leak could destroy transmission, leave vehicle stranded

Mitsubishi Motors has recalled its RVR compact crossover from the 2015 model year over the risk of a transmission fluid leak caused by improperly installed hose clamps.

In nearly 5,000 vehicles with the optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), clamps designed to attach transmission fluid lines onto the transmission's fittings may not have been properly tightened during assembly.

Transmission fluid both lubricates internal components and is pressurized to operate valves that control its function, making the fluid integral to the vehicle's proper operation. If one of the fluid lines (these take the fluid to a cooler located next to the engine's radiator) lets go, it would cause a major leak that could damage the transmission and render the vehicle undriveable.

Mitsubishi is asking its dealers to inspect the clamps and tighten any that were left open.

Meet the Author

As a child, Chris spent most of his time playing with toy cars in his parents’ basement or making car sounds while riding his bicycle. Now he's an award-winning Algonquin College Journalism grad who has been playing with real cars that make their own noises since the early 2000s.