If you own a Mitsubishi car or SUV, you may be up for a big payout. Owners sued the automaker for selling vehicles with defective airbags that can fail to deploy during a crash. While the automaker hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing, it did settle the lawsuit by offering $8.5 million in payouts, which means a vehicle inspection and up to $1,000 in payments for each driver. Here are the affected makes and models:

• 2013–2017 Mitsubishi Lancer
• 2013–2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
• 2013–2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart
• 2013–2016 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
• 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander

Payout eligibility and deadline

The problem is allegedly an airbag control unit sold by ZF-TRW. Note that Mitsubishi didn’t agree to a full recall, so many vehicle owners may never even know there could be a problem with their airbags. What Mitsubishi agreed to do is inspect cars and pay drivers who specifically request it.

To be eligible, you need to have owned one of the above Mitsubishi vehicles in November 2024. By May 8, 2026, you must submit a valid claim to the automaker. Valid claims must include proof of vehicle ownership. Mitsubishi will then schedule inspections and pay every driver $250. If it has settlement money left, it will begin a second round of payments—up to $750.

The law firm heading up the settlement has created a VIN lookup website you can use to find out whether your Mitsubishi makes you eligible for the payout.