Mitsubishi is so confident it solved its stinky PHEV battery issues, it doubles production

By Nick Jaynes Published May 10, 2013

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Good news everyone! Mitsubishi has solved its overheating battery issues and is doubling production of its new plug-in electric Outlander.

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We reported last month that Mitsubishi had halted production after some of its production PHEV Outlanders were overheating and melting battery box adhesives, emitting an unpleasant odor.

The Japanese automaker has supposedly fixed the issues it was having with its batteries. It’s so confident in the fix that it has moved to double its monthly production from 2,000 to 4,000 units, according to Green Car Reports.

We wonder what Mitsubishi has done to fix its overheating batteries, whether it retrofitted its design or went back to the battery drawing board. Mitsubishi gets its lithium-ion batteries from the same supplier as Boeing had for its 787 Dreamliner, which had recently had similar battery issues.

It’s a daring move to double the production of a car that has only made headlines for its negative issues and one that few are chomping at the bit to get their hands on. In this way, however, Mitsubishi continues to surprise us for all the wrong reasons, as it often does.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

Cars

Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?

jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii 4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
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Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Cars

Tesla just scrapped the Cybertruck range extender

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

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The recall, affecting 270 Zoox-built vehicles, was formally filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Zoox said the issue has already been addressed through a software update that was remotely deployed to its fleet.
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Zoox, which Amazon acquired in 2020, says it issued the recall voluntarily as part of its commitment to safety. “It’s essential that we remain transparent about our processes and the collective decisions we make,” the company said in a statement.