The Musso is an off-road vehicle from South Korean manufacturer SsangYong, which became KG Mobility in 2022. Launched in 1993, the Musso has spanned two generations, the first of which ended in 2005. Born out of a collaboration with the Mercedes-Benz group, it relies on German engines — both diesel (such as the OM601 and OM602, with four and five cylinders in line respectively) and petrol.
A version marketed as a sports model was also sold between 2002 and 2006, though it was in reality a pick-up variant of the off-roader, available with a turbo diesel option.
After a hiatus of more than ten years, the Musso made its return at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show in 2018. Once again a mid-size pick-up, it was presented to the general public. The vehicle is powered by a petrol engine — a 2.0 L e-XGDI 200T 4I producing 225 bhp — or a diesel: the 2.2 L e-XDI 220 I4-T with 181 bhp.
To complement the engine, the SsangYong Musso is paired with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an automatic gearbox manufactured by Aisin, one of the world's leading suppliers in this field.
Given the vehicle's utility character, it comes with four-wheel drive as standard: all four wheels are driven. This requires the addition of a transfer case, which distributes engine power appropriately between the front and rear axles.
Whether automatic or manual, your transmission system can unfortunately develop a few warning signs. How do you spot them? What habits should you adopt to minimise problems? What should you do if a fault occurs? All the answers are in this article.
Recognising the warning signs before a breakdown
A problem with the SsangYong Musso gearbox rarely occurs without first giving one or more warning signs. Knowing how to spot them will make your mechanic's job easier. The sooner you act, the less time a fault has to spread to other components of the transmission system. Your observations will also help the professional mechanic reach a diagnosis more efficiently. Among the signs to watch out for, you may notice:- Resistance in the clutch pedal or gear lever;
- A gear that won't engage or that jumps out, dropping back to a lower ratio;
- Various noises that may occur at different times, such as grinding, clunking, squealing or cracking sounds (the precise nature of the noise can indicate what is wrong, so it is important to be as specific as possible);
- A sensation of slipping on pull-away;
- Vibrations felt inside the cabin;
- A burning smell;
- Oil spots noticed beneath the vehicle.
