Mitsubishi PHEV engine: faults and reliability

• 2.0 Outlander PHEV (4B11, 12 kWh battery, 2013-2018)

  2013–2018 · 163–197 hp · 4B11

  With caution

  This is the version that concentrates the documented campaigns (spark plugs and software in 2013-2015, air flow sensor in 2013-2014 and fuel hose in 2015), and the oldest units have already passed the eight-year battery warranty; check with the VIN that the campaigns have been done and ask for the battery's state of health.^[3][4][9]

• 2.4 Outlander PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2018-2021)

  2018–2021 · 224 hp · 4B12

  With caution

  We have found no campaigns specific to this version and the OCU ranks the Outlander PHEV first for reliability among used PHEVs, but gebrauchtwagenberater.de cites loss of battery capacity, apparently mainly in the 2019 model year, and Autofácil reports a study pointing to faster degradation in the 2018 one: ask for the battery's state of health before buying.^[1][2][3]

• 2.4 Eclipse Cross PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2021-2024)

  2021–2024 · 188 hp · 4B12

  Buy

  The Eclipse Cross campaigns recorded by the DVSA relate to units built between 2017 and 2019, and we have found no faults specific to the PHEV system, which according to Hibridosyelectricos.com is basically that of the Outlander; it is a young car and there is little data, so confirm the remaining warranty and the battery's condition.^[4][5]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsLoss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacityAccording to gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the Outlander PHEV's traction battery can drop to around 80% of its capacity within one or two years because of a software fault, apparently mainly in 2019. Autofácil cites a Geotab study pointing to faster degradation in the 2018 Outlander. No costs have been published.
2. 2Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionSpark plugs and petrol engine software on the Outlander PHEV (campaign R3033111)The DVSA records a recall (R/2017/183) of 14,242 UK Outlanders (PHEV, judging by the defect) built between October 2013 and June 2015: the petrol engine may run poorly and, in the worst case, fail to start in order to charge the traction battery. It is fixed with software and new spark plugs.
3. 3High severityRareFrequency: RareIntakeCorroded air flow sensor: the petrol engine does not start to charge the batteryOn 2014 Outlander PHEVs, sulphur from the intake hose can corrode the resistor in the air flow sensor. The petrol engine then does not start to charge the traction battery and the car may suddenly stop. Safety Gate records it (A12/1947/19); the DVSA counts only 12 cars.
4. 4High severityRareFrequency: RareFuelFuel leak at the tank hose connection (2015 campaign)In 2015, 1,092 UK Outlander PHEVs built between 21 July and 12 September 2015 were recalled: the connection between the fuel pipe and hose may have been incorrectly fitted at the factory and could leak petrol. It is inspected and, if necessary, reconnected correctly.
5. 5Low severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalOtherFaulty charging port flap on the Outlander PHEVCarwow notes that the Outlander PHEV's charging port flap is a part prone to failure and recommends checking that its latches work properly when buying a used one. According to the same source, fixing it is not expensive. We have found no figures for frequency or cost.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

Mitsubishi

Family

Sistema híbrido enchufable (PHEV) de Mitsubishi: un motor de gasolina (2.0 4B11 o 2.4 4B12) que genera electricidad o mueve las ruedas delanteras, dos motores eléctricos (uno por eje), una batería de iones de litio bajo el piso y los modos eléctrico, híbrido en serie e híbrido en paralelo.

Fuel

Petrol

Displacement

—

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Naturally aspirated

Injection

Indirect injection

Timing

Chain

Power

163–224 hp

Production

since 2013

Makes

Mitsubishi

Technical data^[6][7][8]

1. 2013–2018

   2.0 Outlander PHEV (4B11, 12 kWh battery, 2013-2018)

   First version of the system: a 2.0 petrol engine (4B11, modified for the PHEV with a higher compression ratio and a speed limited to 4,500 rpm to protect the electric motor and generator) and two 60 kW electric motors, one per axle, with a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery. The combined output varies by source: 163 hp in German Wikipedia and 197 hp in the English one.^[6][7][8]

2. 2018–2021

   2.4 Outlander PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2018-2021)

   From mid-2018 (2019 model year) the petrol engine becomes the 2.4 4B12 and the battery grows from 12 to 13.8 kWh. The two electric motors become 60 and 70 kW, the combined output reaches 224 hp and the top speed in electric mode rises from 120 to 135 km/h.^[7][8][10]

3. 2021–2024

   2.4 Eclipse Cross PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2021-2024)

   Plug-in version of the Eclipse Cross, available in Europe from early 2021 with the facelift: Atkinson-cycle 2.4 petrol engine, 60 kW (front) and 70 kW (rear) electric motors and a 13.8 kWh battery, with about 45 km of WLTP electric range. Hibridosyelectricos.com describes it as basically the Outlander PHEV system adapted to a different chassis. The combined output is 188 hp according to German Wikipedia and Carwow Spain.^[5][11][12]