Mitsubishi Outlander Hood Defect Settlement, 2022 Outlander Owners Can Get a Free Hood Replacement and Reimbursement for Past Repairs Deadline July 30, 2026

The Mitsubishi Outlander hood defect settlement resolves a class action lawsuit alleging that 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SUVs were built with defective hoods that flutter and bounce at highway speeds — a problem Mitsubishi’s own technical service bulletins and prior replacements failed to fully fix. The Outlander hood flutter class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle of Tennessee: Oral Damocles et al. v. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., and the plaintiffs are represented by Lemberg Law, LLC. 

Under the settlement, current and former 2022 Outlander owners and lessees whose vehicles are identified as class vehicles can receive a free hood replacement at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer, up to 100% reimbursement for out-of-pocket hood repair costs paid before May 1, 2026, and an 18-month extended warranty on the hood — all at no cost. The claim deadline for reimbursements is July 30, 2026. The settlement is pending final court approval at a hearing on August 3, 2026.

Quick Facts: Damocles v. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Field	Detail
Settlement Type	Non-cash — free repair, warranty extension, and past-repair reimbursement
Claim Deadline	July 30, 2026 (for reimbursement claims)
Who Qualifies	Current and former owners or lessees of 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles identified as class vehicles (VIN-verified)
Free Hood Replacement	Available at any authorized Mitsubishi dealer starting May 1, 2026 — no claim form required
Reimbursement for Past Repairs	Up to 100% of parts and labor paid before May 1, 2026; non-dealer repairs capped at $4,595 total
Rental Car Reimbursement	Available if the dealer failed to provide a loaner during a qualifying hood repair
Warranty Extension	18 months from May 1, 2026 (or 6 months from May 1, 2026 for vehicles repaired more than 18 months before that date); transferable to subsequent owners
Settlement Status	Proposed — Final Approval Hearing August 3, 2026
Case Name	Oral Damocles et al. v. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Court	U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
Plaintiffs’ Law Firm	Lemberg Law, LLC
Settlement Administrator	Verita (formerly KCC)
Official Settlement Website	hoodsettlement.com
VIN Eligibility Check	Available online at hoodsettlement.com
Administrator Phone	1-888-238-0781
Administrator Email	[email protected]
Administrator Mail	Damocles v. Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 301132, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132
Last Updated	May 8, 2026

What Is the Mitsubishi Outlander Hood Lawsuit About? Damocles v. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

In December 2021, Mitsubishi issued a recall for the 2022 Outlander due to hoods fluttering at higher speeds. The root cause was the lack of reinforcements at the trailing edge of the panel. As the vehicle picks up speed, air being sucked into the engine bay flutters the hood, increasing the risk of it opening while in motion. Mitsubishi’s initial fix was to replace hoods with a reinforced version and add weather strips — and it created a “2022 Outlander Hood Flutter Adjustment Special Customer Satisfaction Campaign” for dealers to follow.

Owners said it still wasn’t enough. The plaintiffs complained that Mitsubishi’s repairs, including replacing the hoods with new reinforced hoods, had not fixed the flutter. They alleged the fix “did not entirely eliminate the Hood Defect.” Owners also reported that replacement hoods sometimes did not match the vehicle’s paint color, and that the ongoing turbulence under the hood hurt fuel economy.

The current lawsuit — a consolidation of two earlier class actions — claimed Mitsubishi knew about the hood issue on the 2022 Outlander before the vehicle even went on sale and should have issued a recall to address the defect, citing the Technical Service Bulletin as evidence of long-standing awareness. Drivers reported that the hood flutter and bounce grew more violent as speed increased, making them feel unsafe and concerned the hood could become unlatched and fly open while driving.

The lawsuit alleged violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act — a federal law that governs written warranties on consumer products — along with state consumer protection and warranty claims. Mitsubishi denies all allegations and maintains the hoods are not defective. Both sides agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation. For a broader look at how automotive defect class actions are structured, see our coverage of the Hyundai Theta II engine $1.3B settlement on AllAboutLawyer.com.

Are You Part of the Mitsubishi Outlander Hood Settlement?

Eligibility is determined by your vehicle’s VIN — not by whether you experienced hood flutter. Check your VIN first at hoodsettlement.com before doing anything else.

You may qualify if:

• You are a current or former owner or lessee of a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander
• Your vehicle’s VIN is identified as a settlement class vehicle (verify at hoodsettlement.com)
• Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. distributed your vehicle for sale or lease in the United States
• You paid out of pocket for a hood repair or replacement before May 1, 2026, and want reimbursement

You do NOT qualify if:

• Your vehicle’s VIN is not identified as a class vehicle in the settlement records
• The hood issue on your vehicle resulted from damage, abuse, alteration, collision, vandalism, or other external sources — these are explicitly excluded from warranty coverage
• You own a 2021, 2023, or any other year Outlander — this settlement covers only the 2022 model year

If you are a subsequent (used) owner of a qualifying 2022 Outlander, you are still covered. The warranty extension is transferable to subsequent owners, provided the time limitation has not expired.

Related article: $15M Generac PWRcell SnapRS Class Action Settlement, Solar System Owners Can Claim Cash for Fire Hazard Defect  Deadline May 18, 2026

What Does the Mitsubishi Outlander Hood Settlement Give You?

This settlement has three separate benefits. They work differently — read each one carefully.

Benefit 1 — Free Hood Replacement (No Claim Form Required)

Starting May 1, 2026, any owner or lessee of an eligible 2022 Outlander can bring their vehicle to an authorized Mitsubishi dealer and request a free hood replacement or repair. Mitsubishi will extend the new vehicle limited warranty for all eligible vehicles to cover 100% of the cost of hood replacement or repair for 18 months, regardless of whether the vehicle is still under the original 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. You do not need to file a claim form to get this repair — walk into any authorized dealer and request it.

Benefit 2 — Reimbursement for Past Out-of-Pocket Hood Repairs

If you already paid for a hood repair or replacement before May 1, 2026 — whether at a Mitsubishi dealer or elsewhere — you can submit a claim to receive 100% reimbursement of parts and labor costs. Reimbursement for a repair or replacement performed by a service entity that is not an authorized Mitsubishi dealer cannot exceed a maximum reimbursement amount of $4,595 for parts and labor combined. Any goodwill payments or reimbursements you already received from Mitsubishi, insurance, or other sources will be deducted from your claim.

Benefit 3 — Rental Car Reimbursement

Individuals who incurred rental car expenses while the dealer repaired their vehicle for hood fluttering can submit a claim for reimbursement for those costs if the dealer did not provide them a complimentary loaner or rental.

Warranty Extension — What Period Applies to Your Vehicle?

• Standard case: Your hood warranty is extended for 18 months from May 1, 2026 (through approximately October 31, 2027).
• If your hood was already repaired or replaced under a prior TSB: The 18-month warranty extension runs from the date that prior repair was performed.
• If your hood was repaired more than 18 months before May 1, 2026: The warranty extension applies for six months from May 1, 2026 — meaning coverage runs through approximately October 31, 2026.

The warranty extension is transferable to subsequent owners as long as the time limitation has not expired.

For additional context on how vehicle defect settlements handle warranty extensions and repair reimbursements, see our coverage of the Honda Odyssey airbag recall on AllAboutLawyer.com.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Benefits

To get a free hood replacement (no filing required):

Step 1 — Check your VIN. Go to hoodsettlement.com and enter your 17-character VIN to confirm your vehicle is a settlement class vehicle.

Step 2 — Schedule a dealer appointment. Contact any authorized Mitsubishi dealer and reference the Outlander hood flutter settlement. Ask for a hood replacement or repair under the extended warranty. The repair is at no cost to you — do not pay anything.

Step 3 — Request a loaner if the repair takes time. If the dealer cannot complete the repair same-day, you are entitled to request a substitute vehicle. Ask for one before your appointment so the dealer can arrange it.

To file a reimbursement claim for past repairs:

Step 1 — Gather your documentation. You need an invoice or repair record showing: your name, vehicle make/model/VIN, repair facility name and address, date of repair, description of work, a breakdown of parts and labor costs, and the total amount charged. You also need proof of payment.

Step 2 — Prepare any required declarations. If your repair was performed outside an authorized Mitsubishi dealer during the original warranty period, you must include a written declaration stating you first approached an authorized dealer but it declined or could not perform the repair. For rental car reimbursement, include a written declaration that you requested a loaner but the dealer did not provide one.

Step 3 — Submit your claim. File online at hoodsettlement.com or mail your completed claim form and documentation to: Damocles v. Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 301132, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132.

Step 4 — Submit before July 30, 2026. Online submissions must be completed by July 30, 2026. Mailed claims must be postmarked by July 30, 2026.

Step 5 — Watch for your reimbursement check. The settlement administrator will mail payments for valid claims within six months of either the receipt of the completed claim or the date the court grants final approval to the settlement.

Estimated time to complete a reimbursement claim: 15–20 minutes with documentation ready.

Important Deadlines & Dates

Milestone	Date
Settlement Reached	January 31, 2026
Warranty Extension Effective	May 1, 2026
Free Hood Replacements Available	May 1, 2026 — visit any authorized Mitsubishi dealer
Reimbursement Claim Deadline	July 30, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	August 3, 2026
Expected Reimbursement Payment	Within 6 months of claim receipt OR 6 months after final court approval — whichever is later
Warranty Extension Expires (standard)	Approximately October 31, 2027 (18 months from May 1, 2026)
Warranty Extension Expires (vehicles repaired 18+ months before May 1, 2026)	Approximately October 31, 2026 (6 months from May 1, 2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to file anything to get my hood replaced? 

No, if you are seeking a free replacement going forward. Starting May 1, 2026, you can simply take your eligible 2022 Outlander to any authorized Mitsubishi dealer and request a hood replacement under the settlement warranty extension. No claim form is required for the free repair. A claim form is only required if you want reimbursement for repairs you already paid for out of pocket before May 1, 2026.

My 2022 Outlander hood was already replaced — am I still covered? 

Yes. If the Outlander hood has already been repaired or replaced under technical service bulletins TSB-21-42A-011, TSB-21-42A-011REV or TSB-21-42A-011REV2, the hood flutter warranty extension is for 18 months from the date the prior hood repair was performed. If that repair was performed more than 18 months before May 1, 2026, you still get a 6-month extension from May 1, 2026.

I bought my 2022 Outlander used. Am I included? 

Yes. The settlement covers current and former owners and lessees of qualifying 2022 Outlanders, including used vehicle purchases. The warranty extension is also transferable to subsequent owners as long as it has not expired. Check your VIN at hoodsettlement.com to confirm eligibility.

The replacement hood doesn’t match my vehicle’s paint. Does the settlement address that? 

Yes. Under the settlement, dealers must ensure replacement hoods are correctly paint-matched to the rest of the vehicle body. If your replacement hood color does not match, raise this with the dealer when scheduling the repair.

How much will I get reimbursed for a past hood repair? 

You can receive up to 100% of documented parts and labor costs you paid before May 1, 2026. If the repair was performed at a non-Mitsubishi-authorized facility, your reimbursement is capped at $4,595 total. Any prior goodwill payments or reimbursements from Mitsubishi or your insurer will be deducted from your claim amount.

Is this settlement legitimate — the lawyers seem to have done better than the owners?

 Yes, this is a court-authorized settlement filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. According to the settlement, the lawyers representing customers will receive $1,750,000. Plaintiffs Sarah Greendale and Vincent Viner will receive $5,000 collectively. The attorneys’ fee award is subject to court approval at the August 3, 2026 fairness hearing. Owners receive free repairs and reimbursements rather than cash payments. Whether that is a fair trade for years of litigation is a question the court will consider at the fairness hearing — you can object by writing to the court if you disagree.

What if the hood issue on my 2022 Outlander was caused by a collision or vandalism?

 Damage from accidents, abuse, alteration, collision, or vandalism is explicitly excluded from the warranty extension. The settlement only covers hood flutter caused by the underlying design or manufacturing defect — not external damage.

Can I still join if I already sold my 2022 Outlander? 

Yes, for reimbursement purposes. Former owners and lessees who paid for qualifying hood repairs before May 1, 2026, can still file a claim for reimbursement by July 30, 2026, as long as they have the required documentation.

Sources & References

• Official Settlement Website: hoodsettlement.com
• Oral Damocles et al. v. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. — U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
• CarComplaints.com: Mitsubishi Outlander Hood Flutter Lawsuit Settlement Reached (January 31, 2026)

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against official settlement sources and primary automotive news coverage on May 8, 2026. Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.