The Essence of the Problem and the Lawsuit
Mitsubishi is offering owners of certain Outlander models free hood replacements as part of a class-action lawsuit settlement. The issue, dubbed “vibrating” or “fluttering” hoods, manifested at highway speeds, raising concerns about safety and build quality. In mid-2025, a lawsuit was filed in the United States demanding the company organize a recall to fix the defect.
It is worth noting that Mitsubishi had already issued a technical bulletin to dealers in December 2021, proposing the installation of a modified hood with an updated seal. However, as alleged in the lawsuit, these measures did not fully resolve the problem.
Terms of the Settlement Agreement
According to the reached settlement agreement, dealers will replace the defective hoods and are obligated to guarantee perfect color matching of the new part to the body. Furthermore, Mitsubishi will extend the warranty period for potentially defective hoods by an additional 18 months.
Customers also have the right to request a replacement or rental vehicle for the period their car is being repaired at the dealership. All services will be provided free of charge to eligible owners, subject to confirmation of the complaint.
Financial Aspects of the Settlement
In addition to organizing repairs, Mitsubishi has agreed to pay $5,000 to each of the two main plaintiffs in the case. The same amount will be received by another 15 individuals who joined the lawsuit, totaling $75,000 in payments to private individuals.
As is often the case in such lawsuits, the largest portion of the costs consists of attorney fees. The lawyers who handled the case will receive $1.75 million in compensation for their work.
Next Steps
A hearing to approve the terms of the final settlement is scheduled for August 3, 2026. After receiving court approval, the terms of the agreement will come into effect, and their full-scale implementation will begin.
This Outlander situation is a reminder of the importance of proper quality control in the early stages of production, as even a minor defect can lead to significant financial losses and reputational damage for an automaker. For car owners, it also serves as an example of how class-action lawsuits can be an effective tool for protecting consumer rights and obtaining compensation, even if the manufacturer has already attempted to address the issue with technical bulletins. The financial outcome of the agreement clearly shows that the biggest beneficiaries in such cases are often not the end owners, but the law firms specializing in class-action lawsuits.