Outlander Hood Woes

Mitsubishi Hood Flutter Saga

Mitsubishi’s Outlander has been in the spotlight recently, but not for the reasons one might hope. This compact SUV, one of the few highlights from Mitsubishi’s current U.S. lineup, has gained notoriety due to a persistent hood flutter issue sparking a class action lawsuit. Despite years of consumer complaints and a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) attempt at mitigation, the criticism and concerns continue to grow.

Service Attempts

The saga began with the 2022 Outlander model. Even before it hit the American market, Mitsubishi reportedly knew about the hood issue. The flutter could potentially distract drivers, reduce fuel efficiency, and in severe cases, lead to safety concerns. In December 2021, Mitsubishi issued a TSB instructing dealers to replace misaligned hoods with newly designed ones featuring an updated weather strip, while retaining the original grille.

Legal Challenges

This hood issue has now become the center of a combined class action lawsuit alleging Mitsubishi hasn’t fully resolved the defect. Initially, a judge paused this lawsuit to enable mediation attempts, but the case is moving forward again, revealing ongoing consumer dissatisfaction.

Driving Experience

Setting aside the legal troubles, driving the Mitsubishi Outlander itself is a pretty standard affair. Under the hood, it offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The ride is generally smooth, and the SUV provides decent, if not exciting, handling compared to others in its class. When stacking up against competitors like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4, the Outlander falls short in terms of refinement yet holds its own with an attractive price point and value-packed features.

The response to the hood flutter varies. Some owners might not experience any trouble on calm city roads, but once the speedometer crosses 60 miles per hour on a highway, the subtle vibrations become noticeable. Windy conditions only exacerbate the situation, creating a distraction that no driver appreciates.

Ongoing Mitigations

As this issue rolls through the courts, Mitsubishi has taken steps to address customer concerns. Beyond enhancing the hood design, there’s been an adjustment to the weather strippings and the latch mechanics to mitigate fluttering. However, affected owners state these changes haven’t been a complete fix, and some hoods still exhibit excessive movement, causing unease at highway speeds.

In summary, while Mitsubishi works on rebuilding trust through continuous improvement and customer campaigns, anyone eyeing the Outlander should be aware of its ongoing saga. The vehicle may still appeal to those seeking a budget-friendly SUV loaded with features, but potential buyers are advised to test the waters, especially at highway speeds, to ensure the hood stays put as expected.