If you own or lease a Mitsubishi Outlander, Outlander Sport, or Mirage from certain model years, you may be entitled to up to $250 in cash from an $8.5 million class action settlement over allegedly defective airbag control units. Some claimants could collect an additional $750 if they can document out-of-pocket costs related to the defect. The filing deadline is May 8, 2026, and claims that miss it get nothing.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleging that Mitsubishi sold vehicles equipped with airbag control units, or ACUs, that could malfunction and prevent airbags from deploying during a collision. The plaintiffs argued that the defect put occupants at serious risk and that Mitsubishi knew or should have known about the problem. Mitsubishi has not admitted fault but agreed to the $8.5 million fund to resolve the claims.

Which vehicles are covered

The settlement class includes current and former owners and lessees of specific Mitsubishi models equipped with the allegedly defective ACUs. According to the settlement terms tracked by Top Class Actions, covered vehicles include select model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander, Outlander Sport, and Mirage. The exact model years and VIN ranges are listed in the official settlement notice, so drivers should check their vehicle identification number against the claim portal before assuming they qualify.

This case is separate from the massive Takata airbag inflator recalls that affected dozens of automakers over the past decade. The Mitsubishi lawsuit focuses specifically on the electronic control units that tell airbags when to fire, not on the inflator hardware itself.

What you can collect: $250 base, up to $750 more

Every eligible class member who submits a valid claim can receive a direct cash payment of up to $250 per qualifying vehicle. On top of that, drivers who spent money on inspections, diagnostics, or repairs related to the ACU defect may claim up to an additional $750 by providing receipts or invoices that document those costs. As The Sun reported, these payments were approved as part of the settlement in the Central District of California.

The settlement also includes a vehicle inspection program. Qualifying owners can have their ACU examined at no charge to determine whether the unit in their vehicle is functioning properly. For drivers still on the road in one of the affected models, that inspection may matter more than the cash.

How to file before the May 8, 2026 deadline

Claims are not automatic. To get paid, drivers need to take a few steps:

1. Confirm eligibility. Check your VIN against the list of covered vehicles on the official settlement website or claim portal.
2. Gather proof of ownership or lease. Acceptable documents typically include a purchase contract, vehicle registration, or lease agreement.
3. Submit the claim form online. Upload your proof of ownership and, if seeking the additional $750, any receipts for related out-of-pocket expenses. As one walkthrough noted, the process is straightforward: fill out the form, attach a receipt, and submit.
4. File by May 8, 2026. Late claims will not be accepted. Once the deadline passes, the remaining funds will be distributed among valid claimants, so there is no benefit to waiting.

Payments are expected to be distributed after the claims period closes and the court gives final approval. The exact timing will depend on how many claims are filed and whether any objections delay the process, but class members who file early will not receive their checks any faster than those who file on the last day.

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