- Mitsubishi must replace hoods on fluttering 2022 Outlander models.
- Plaintiffs will each receive $5,000 for the defective hood issue.
- Dealers must ensure the replacement hood matches the paint finish.
Mitsubishi will offer hood replacements to certain Outlander owners following a legal dispute that targeted a strange but persistent problem: “fluttering” hoods at highway speeds. The company’s move, which includes a new technical service bulletin, marks the end of a class-action lawsuit filed over the issue last year.
In mid-2025, a lawsuit filed in the US alleged that the hoods of 2022 Outlanders models visibly bounce and flutter while driving, raising concerns over safety and build quality. The plaintiffs demanded a recall to fix the defect.
Read: It Bounces, It Flutters, And Now It’s Headed To Court
While Mitsubishi had already issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) back in December 2021 instructing dealers to install a revised hood with an updated weather strip, the suit argued that this early measure didn’t fully resolve the problem.
Plaintiffs had been seeking a payout of more than $5 million in the case. They’ve now agreed to a settlement with Mitsubishi that should resolve the issue once and for all.
Under the settlement, dealers will replace the hoods of defective models and must ensure they’re correctly paint-matched to the rest of the body, Car Complaints reports. Additionally, Mitsubishi will extend the warranty period for potentially defective hoods by an extra 18 months.
Customers may also request a loaner or rental vehicle while their cars are being repaired at a dealership. The service will be offered at no charge to eligible owners, provided the complaint is verified and falls within the new coverage terms.
In addition to offering repairs, Mitsubishi has agreed to pay $5,000 each to the two named plaintiffs in the suit. Another 15 individuals who joined the case will receive the same amount, bringing the total payout for individual claimants to $75,000.
As often happens in these kinds of cases, legal fees form the largest slice of the pie. The attorneys behind the lawsuit will collect $1.75 million in compensation for their work.
A final settlement fairness hearing is scheduled for August 3, 2026, at which point the terms will receive court approval and full implementation can begin.
