Damocles v. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. Case Information
Case Number: 3:22-cv-00401
Case Status: Case is in Discovery (Last Update: June 25, 2024)
Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee
Filed: November 28, 2022
Lemberg Law’s client, Oral Damocles, along with a group of other Mitsubishi customers, has filed a class action lawsuit against Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA). The Outlander hood lawsuit addresses a defect in the hoods of 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles. This defect causes the hoods to flutter and bounce while driving. Customers have widely reported, leading to numerous online complaints. The case is pending in federal court in Tennessee.
The Complaint
The Complaint of fifteen plaintiffs allege that their 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vehicles have defective hoods that flutter and bounce when driving. This issue poses a significant safety hazard. Plaintiffs claim that Mitsubishi knew about this defect but did not inform the consumers. Complaints were reported to NHTSA, and Mitsubishi’s issued Technical Service Bulletins and hood replacements have failed to resolve the problem. Plaintiffs experienced distractions and safety concerns due to the defective hoods.
Numerous complaints from Class Vehicle owners have surfaced since July 2021. Owners detail experiences of hood flutter during driving, especially at higher speeds or in windy conditions. Some plaintiffs reported encountering the defect shortly after acquiring their vehicles. Instances of seeking dealership assistance occurred within days of purchase or lease. Despite acknowledging the hood defect, Mitsubishi’s attempts to rectify the issue have failed. The car maker issued Technical Service Bulletins and replaced hoods with modified versions. However, the problem remains unresolved as evidenced by continued reports of hood flutter from affected owners.
The defect appears related to the hood’s structural design. This design fails to remain stable under certain driving conditions. Replacement hoods provided by Mitsubishi have not alleviated the problem. Owners face delays in obtaining replacements and dissatisfaction with mismatched paint colors. Class Vehicle owners have signed agreements acknowledging potential decreases in vehicle value due to non-factory paint jobs on replacement hoods. Despite outsourcing painting to third-party body shops, the persistent hood flutter issue remains unresolved. This poses safety concerns for owners and potentially diminishes the value and usability of the affected vehicles.
Claims for Relief
Plaintiffs demand accountability from Mitsubishi for the defective hoods in the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, leading to significant safety concerns and financial losses. They seek comprehensive repairs, compensation, and proper notification to all affected vehicle owners.
Seek Relief
If you have experienced fluttering or shaking hood issues with your Mitsubishi, call us today at 844-928-4443to inquire about joining the Outlander hood lawsuit.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
