The Mitsubishi Outlander CVT Failure Class Action is a lawsuit alleging that Mitsubishi Motors North America manufactured and sold vehicles with defective continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) that fail prematurely, leaving owners with expensive repair bills and safety concerns. Filed in December 2021 as Hardy et al. v. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. in the U.S.
District Court for the Central District of California, the case claims that Mitsubishi knew about these transmission problems for years but failed to disclose the issue to consumers or fix the underlying defects. The lawsuit is still pending as of January 2025, with Mitsubishi contesting the claims. The core allegation is that thousands of Mitsubishi owners experienced sudden transmission failures—shuddering, loss of power during acceleration, and complete transmission breakdown—while the manufacturer allegedly concealed the problem from customers and dealers. An owner of a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, for example, reported that their transmission began shuddering at 55,000 miles and eventually failed completely, requiring a replacement that cost over $4,000 out of pocket. This pattern repeated across thousands of vehicles, prompting the class action lawsuit to hold Mitsubishi accountable for the defective transmissions and seek compensation for affected owners.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Core Claims in This Mitsubishi CVT Lawsuit?
- Which Mitsubishi Models Are Affected by This CVT Defect?
- What Symptoms Should Mitsubishi Owners Watch For?
- How Do CVT Transmissions Work and Why Do They Fail?
- What Does Maintenance Have to Do With CVT Failure?
- What Is the Current Status of the Case?
- What Should Mitsubishi Owners Do Now?
- Conclusion
What Are the Core Claims in This Mitsubishi CVT Lawsuit?
The lawsuit centers on allegations that Mitsubishi’s cvt transmissions suffer from multiple design and manufacturing defects that cause them to fail far earlier than a reasonable owner would expect. According to the complaint, these defects include CVT belt slippage, contamination of the hydraulic pressure circuit, miscalibration of the CVT control unit, and an inadequate cooling system that allows the transmission to overheat. The plaintiffs argue that these problems are not manufacturing anomalies—they’re systemic design flaws that affect a broad range of Mitsubishi vehicles across multiple model years.
What makes this lawsuit particularly significant is the claim that Mitsubishi had knowledge of these CVT defects since at least 2014 and failed to disclose them to consumers. The complaint alleges that Mitsubishi instructed its dealers to tell customers that their vehicles were operating normally, even when the transmission was showing signs of imminent failure. This alleged concealment is central to the case, as plaintiffs argue they would not have purchased their vehicles—or would have paid less—if they had known about the CVT reliability issues. The case remains contested, with Mitsubishi moving to dismiss the complaint, but the lawsuit continues to move through the court system.
Which Mitsubishi Models Are Affected by This CVT Defect?
The class action covers multiple Mitsubishi vehicle lines across several model years, affecting a significant number of owners. The vehicles included are the 2014–2019 Mitsubishi Lancer, 2014–2020 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2014–present Outlander Sport, 2014–present Mirage, and 2018–present Eclipse Cross. If you own any of these vehicles within these model years, there’s a possibility you could be part of the class action, particularly if you’ve experienced transmission problems.
One important limitation to understand is that the specific scope of the class may be refined as the lawsuit progresses. The class definition typically covers owners and lessees of the affected vehicles during the applicable time period, but not all transmission problems qualify—the defects must match the specific failures alleged in the complaint. Additionally, some states have specific requirements about how long you must own or have owned the vehicle to be eligible, and some may exclude those who have already settled separate claims. It’s worth noting that just because you own an affected model year doesn’t automatically guarantee you’ll receive a settlement; you may need to have documented transmission issues or meet other criteria established by the final settlement agreement, if one is reached.
What Symptoms Should Mitsubishi Owners Watch For?
If you own a Mitsubishi from the affected model years, knowing the warning signs of CVT failure can help you identify problems early and protect yourself. Common symptoms include transmission shuddering or vibration while driving, surging or jerking during acceleration, hesitation or lag when shifting between Park, Drive, or Reverse, delays in acceleration or complete failure to accelerate smoothly, power loss during normal driving, and unusual noises such as loud banging or whistling from under the hood. Some owners have also reported a burning smell coming from under the hood, which indicates excessive heat and transmission stress. A real-world example: an owner of a 2015 Outlander first noticed the transmission shuddering at highway speeds around 48,000 miles.
Within a few months, the problem worsened to the point where the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate from a stop, making it unsafe in traffic. By 60,000 miles, the transmission had essentially failed and required replacement. This progression—from minor shuddering to complete failure—is a pattern that has appeared in many owner complaints. The warning here is critical: if you notice any of these symptoms, document them immediately with photos, video, and service records, as this documentation can be valuable if you decide to pursue a claim or contribute to the class action lawsuit.
How Do CVT Transmissions Work and Why Do They Fail?
A continuously variable transmission is fundamentally different from a traditional automatic transmission. Instead of discrete gears that shift, a CVT uses a belt or chain running on two variable-diameter pulleys to create a smooth, seamless range of gear ratios. In theory, this design offers better fuel efficiency and smoother acceleration. However, CVTs are more sensitive to wear, contamination, and heat than traditional transmissions. When the hydraulic fluid becomes contaminated, the belt slips, or the cooling system fails to keep temperatures in check, the entire transmission can fail rapidly.
In the case of Mitsubishi’s CVTs, the lawsuit alleges that the design doesn’t adequately address these vulnerabilities. The cooling system, according to the complaint, is insufficient to handle the heat generated during normal driving, especially in stop-and-go traffic or when towing. The hydraulic circuit is allegedly susceptible to internal contamination that degrades the fluid and causes slippage. The CVT control unit—the computer that manages the transmission—is allegedly miscalibrated, sending incorrect commands to the pulleys and causing them to wear unevenly. Compare this to properly designed CVTs in other vehicles, which often last well over 150,000 miles with proper maintenance, and the discrepancy becomes clear. Mitsubishi’s CVTs, by contrast, have begun failing in some cases before 60,000 miles, which is well within the vehicle’s expected lifespan.
What Does Maintenance Have to Do With CVT Failure?
Manufacturers, including Mitsubishi, recommend regular CVT fluid exchanges as part of routine maintenance. Industry guidance typically suggests checking or replacing transmission fluid between 30,000 and 60,000 miles, depending on driving conditions and the manufacturer’s specific recommendations. Many owners who followed these maintenance schedules still experienced CVT failure, which raises an important question: if proper maintenance couldn’t prevent the failures, how much responsibility lies with the vehicle’s owner? This is a critical limitation to understand about the case.
Mitsubishi may argue that some failures were due to inadequate maintenance, while the plaintiffs counter that the defects are so fundamental that no amount of fluid changes can prevent them. If you’re considering joining the class action or pursuing your own claim, your maintenance records—or lack thereof—could affect your eligibility or the amount of compensation you might receive. However, the lawsuit’s allegations suggest that even well-maintained vehicles experienced these failures, which is why the defect is considered systemic rather than the result of owner negligence.
What Is the Current Status of the Case?
As of January 2025, the case remains pending in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Mitsubishi has filed a motion to dismiss the Second Amended Class Action Complaint, which means the company is arguing that the lawsuit should be thrown out before it ever reaches trial or settlement negotiations. The outcome of this motion could significantly impact the case—if Mitsubishi succeeds in getting the case dismissed, the lawsuit could end without any compensation to affected owners.
If the court denies Mitsubishi’s motion, the case will continue to move forward toward potential discovery (where both sides exchange evidence) and eventual settlement or trial. The fact that the case is still in the early-to-middle stages as of early 2025 means that affected owners should not expect an imminent settlement. Class action lawsuits of this nature typically take several years from filing to resolution, and Mitsubishi’s active defense suggests this could be a lengthy process. If you believe you own an affected vehicle and have experienced CVT problems, it’s important to document your experiences and keep records of any repairs or failures, as this information could be crucial if the case eventually moves toward settlement.
What Should Mitsubishi Owners Do Now?
If you own a Mitsubishi Lancer, Outlander, Outlander Sport, Mirage, or Eclipse Cross within the affected model years and have experienced transmission problems, you have several options. First, document all symptoms, repair estimates, and actual repairs with photos, service records, and written descriptions of what happened. Keep any communications with dealers or Mitsubishi representatives, as these can demonstrate whether the company was aware of your specific problem.
Second, monitor the case’s progress through the court records or by staying in contact with the law firm handling the case—in this instance, Berger Montague is one of the firms involved in representing the class. Even if you haven’t experienced problems yet, understanding the CVT defects and being aware of the warning signs can help you catch issues early. If you’re thinking about purchasing a used Mitsubishi from the affected model years, get a pre-purchase inspection with special attention to the transmission, and negotiate the price downward to account for potential transmission replacement costs. The broader lesson here is that owning a vehicle with known defects comes with real financial risk—either through repair costs, reduced resale value, or in this case, the possibility of compensation through litigation.
Conclusion
The Mitsubishi Outlander CVT Failure Class Action represents a significant challenge for the automaker and a potential opportunity for compensation for affected owners. The lawsuit alleges that Mitsubishi manufactured vehicles with defective transmissions that fail prematurely and that the company knew about these problems but concealed them from consumers. With the case still pending and Mitsubishi actively contesting the claims, the timeline for resolution remains uncertain, but the documentation of widespread CVT failures across multiple model years suggests that the underlying problem is real and extensive.
If you own one of the affected vehicles, especially if you’ve experienced transmission problems, now is the time to document your experience, gather your maintenance and repair records, and stay informed about the lawsuit’s progress. Even if you haven’t had problems yet, being aware of the CVT defects and the symptoms of failure can help you catch issues early and make informed decisions about your vehicle’s future. Whether through the class action or through individual lemon law claims, Mitsubishi owners have avenues to seek accountability and compensation for the defective transmissions.