The plug-in hybrid's electric range has dropped: which faults cause it?

Documented faults that cause it: loss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacity, in the Mitsubishi PHEV.

Electrics and electronicsUrgency: Monitor

The plug-in hybrid's electric range has dropped: causes and the faults that trigger it

One documented fault causes it in the Mitsubishi PHEV:

Medium severity: Loss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacity

What it means

In electric mode the car covers noticeably less distance than when it was new, and the petrol engine cuts in sooner than usual. In a plug-in hybrid this can come from normal battery wear, a fault in the battery itself, or factors such as cold weather, speed or using the climate control.

General explanation from MotorFiable. How it shows up in each engine, with sources, is in the list of faults.

What to do now

Monitor

Compare the current range on a full charge with what the car showed when new, in similar conditions, and ask a main dealer for a state-of-health (SoH) reading of the traction battery. Also check whether the battery warranty covers loss of capacity.

Reviewed on 29 October 20264 sources How we work

Faults that cause it

Specific engine and gearbox faults, from most to least important (severity × frequency). Below each title, how the symptom shows up in that fault.

- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi PHEVLoss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacityThe electric-mode range is clearly lower than the car's original (Autofácil uses as a reference the 54 km of a 2018 unit).
Source for the symptom in the Mitsubishi PHEV^[1][2]

Faults elsewhere in the car that cause it

Suspension, brake, electronics and other faults on specific cars, from most to least important.

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen ID.7High-voltage battery cells with risk of overheating and fireCharging is limited to 80% by the manufacturer, with a consequent loss of useful range.
Source for the symptom in the Volkswagen ID.7^[3][4]

Which cars it appears in

This fault affects the Mitsubishi PHEV. We have documented 1 model from 1 make with some of the affected versions: open yours to see all its faults.

Engines

Mitsubishi PHEVMitsubishi1 fault with this symptom

Cars with the affected versions

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Outlander IIIEngine: Mitsubishi PHEVYears: 2013–2021

Other symptoms: electrics and electronics

All symptoms

Has this happened to you? Tell us which fault it was, at how many kilometres and how much you paid: it helps other owners know what to expect. Report your fault.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Baterías de híbrido enchufable: cuándo habrá que sustituirlas (Outlander PHEV)Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 May 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Mitsubishi Outlander (II & III) – Bekannte Probleme und MängelGebrauchtwagenberater (Alemania) · Motoring press · published 2 March 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Brandgefahr: Rückruf für VW ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 und ID. Buzz!ADAC · Motoring press · published 21 October 2026 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2024/221, R/2025/208 y R/2025/516, VW ID.7)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026