Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Problems of Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Mitsubishi Montero Sport, year 2000 - automatic transmission temperature light came on after driving ~ 200 miles at 70 mph. Stopped after driving 20 more miles. Smoke was coming from engine compartment near transmission. Appears transmission fluid was venting and hitting hot engine. Allowed car to cool down, as recommended in owners manual. Then proceeded to auto mechanic who confirmed vehicle was shifting hard between 2 & 3rd gear and was not locking in the torque converter after going into overdrive. Vehicle has ~ 118,000 miles at the time. Same thing occurred back when vehicle only had ~ 30,000 miles and dealer did something at that time. I notice there are a number of complaints about this on NHTSA website. Suggest Mitsubishi should be required to rectify the problem at their expense.

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I am very disappointed in my 2000 Montero Sport and the lack of answers that I have received in the past. In addition my check engine light came on for the first time, when I took the car in I was told the problem had been fixed. Later the same day it came back on, I returned the following day, and was told to find out what was wrong I would have to leave the car one complete day to determine what the problem was since nothing appeared to be wrong. I left it and when I picked it up I was told that the cars computer was trying to place the car in 2 different gears at the same time and the problem was resolved. A few days later while driving on the highway on my way to work the car shuddered and shifted into neutral on its own and refused to move, subsequently the air-condition started blowing hot air. When I was finally able to get the car to drive it remained in 1st gear and would not shift to second. At that point I took the car to the dealership to find out what was going on, I was told that something was wrong with the transmission but they couldnt diagnose what exactly was wrong and the car was returned to me. The car was then taken to aamco transmission to find the problem since the cause could not be found at the dealership. I was told the following occurred over time and in this order: torque converter failed (causing the shuddering and jerking when gears were changed), pump failed due to converter problem, transmission failed due to pump failure, bushings and plastic parts were warped due to high temperature caused by pump failure. Currently they are unable to locate replacement parts that will fit my car which is extremely frustrating. The reason I am writing this letter is because I have spent over $3000 this year on my car and now I have to purchase a transmission, torque converter, transmission pump, and air-condition unit. I am a student, I am not rich or well off.

I'd noticed previously my car would shake as if it was going to fall dead, but wouldn't or there would be a thump like someone had hit me and the car would move slightly. This would only happen when the car was stationary at a light/stop sign or if I was waiting to make a turn. On yesterday, after taking my car in for scheduled maintenance and having that maintenance completed, I left the dealership. On my way home, I was waiting to turn into a parking lot car shook as if it were about to fall dead ,then lunged forward. I called the dealership to alert them and advised them that the incident frightened me. I was told by the service advisor that another woman with the same type of car had reported a similar incident and had to bring her car in and that they had to replace her engine. I was told at this time, they belied it might be the torque converter. I drove the car back to the dealership and was told they would keep the car, and a technician would drive it to see if the same thing occurred. I called today 3/19/01 and was told by gary, that the technician drove the car for 1 hour and nothing happened. Then out of the blue , the same thing I described had occurred. I was told he had a call into the engineering line and they were waiting to hear back. I advised gary I did not want that car back until I was comfortable this would not happen again. He said a TSB had been issued on this situation, but when I checked the website, I was unable to find it. I located only recall info. On the hydraulic brake system.

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