Mitsubishi is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging the absence of a battery heating component in the 2023 Outlander PHEV cars, which prevents the vehicles from starting in low temperatures.
Internal materials from Mitsubishi confirm this issue, and the company has received complaints from customers regarding Mitsubishi battery problems. However, according to the lawsuit, the company took no action to rectify these defects.
The lawsuit contends that the battery defect may leave vehicle owners in winter weather conditions, depriving them of the ability to use their vehicles.
The lack of a heating component in the battery renders these cars unsuitable for their intended purpose – transportation – states the plaintiff. Furthermore, the absence of heating in cold conditions also affects charging speed, capacity, and battery degradation.
Lawsuit Claims Mitsubishi Battery Issues Strand Owners, Leave Them Stuck with Out-of-Pocket Costs
Mitsubishi allegedly knew about the battery problems in the Outlander PHEV model, which resulted in vehicle owners having to bear the costs of diagnosing and repairing the defects themselves, according to the plaintiff. Despite being aware of these issues, the company took no action to assist customers, the plaintiff adds.
“Reports have emerged among owners of this group of vehicles experiencing vehicle shut-offs and inability to continue driving in extreme winter conditions, largely due to the lack of a battery heating system,” the plaintiff points out. “As the vehicle cannot be started or driven if the traction battery is too cold, the absence of a heating battery pack leaves owners with the only option of waiting for a change in weather for the battery to warm up adequately and become usable.”
In a separate case, in March 2023, Mitsubishi argued that there was no basis for reopening a claim related to a defective hood latch class.
Have you experienced any issues with the battery of your 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in winter conditions? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiff is represented by Marc Edelson and Liberato P. Verderame of Edelson Lechtzin LLP, as well as by Jonathan Shuba, Benjamin F. Johnson, and Samantha E. Holbrook of Shub and Johnson LLC.
The class-action lawsuit against Mitsubishi is titled Schecter v. Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., case number 2:24-cv-00246, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
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