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1.6 EcoBoost vs Mitsubishi PHEV: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Mitsubishi PHEV carries less risk than the 1.6 EcoBoost: 24/100 (low risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The 1.6 EcoBoost has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk»; the Mitsubishi PHEV has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Corroded air flow sensor: the petrol engine does not start to charge the battery».

Risk index

1.6 EcoBoost

59

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

Mitsubishi PHEV

24

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 EcoBoost reliable?

It is a turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder that Ford used between 2010 and 2018 as a mid-range step across much of its European line-up, and which Volvo sold under its own T3/T4 designations. Its most serious fault is overheating caused by a loss of coolant circulation that can crack the cylinder head and cause a fire: Ford has recalled cars in South Africa and in the US/Canada, although we have not confirmed an equivalent campaign in Spain.[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the 1.6 EcoBoost faults

Is the Mitsubishi PHEV reliable?

Yes, with caveats: the OCU ranks the Outlander PHEV first for reliability among used plug-in hybrids. What is documented are isolated campaigns (spark plugs and software, air flow sensor, fuel hose) and a possible loss of battery capacity, cited by one source and one study without figures. The Eclipse Cross PHEV, which uses the same system, has no documented faults of its own.[4][5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the Mitsubishi PHEV faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 EcoBoost and Mitsubishi PHEV
1.6 EcoBoostMitsubishi PHEV
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,596 cm³—
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power120–200 hp163–224 hp
Production2010–2019[1][9]since 2013[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk24Low risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Cracked cylinder head from overheating, with fire risk
  2. High severity: Coolant loss from hoses, water pump or expansion tank
  3. High severity: Premature turbocharger failure
  1. Medium severity: Loss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacity
  2. Medium severity: Spark plugs and petrol engine software on the Outlander PHEV (campaign R3033111)
  3. High severity: Corroded air flow sensor: the petrol engine does not start to charge the battery
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 2.4 Eclipse Cross PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2021-2024)[7][8]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 EcoBoost 120/150/160/182 (Ford, 2010-2019)[3][13][14]
  • 1.6 EcoBoost ST 182/197/200 (Ford Fiesta ST/ST200, 2013-2017)[1][15]
  • Volvo T3/T4 1.6 (B4164T3/B4164T/B4164T2, 2010-2018)[16]
  • 2.0 Outlander PHEV (4B11, 12 kWh battery, 2013-2018)[6][7][17]
  • 2.4 Outlander PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2018-2021)[4][5][6]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.6 EcoBoost

See the 10 models with the 1.6 EcoBoost

Mitsubishi PHEV

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 EcoBoost

With the Mitsubishi PHEV

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. Ford EcoBoost engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. The Largest Ford EcoBoost Recalls In 15 Years Of ProductionCarBuzz · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. Ford KugaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, el híbrido enchufable de segunda mano más fiable según la OCUHíbridos y Eléctricos · Motoring press · published 14 May 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Mitsubishi Outlander (II & III) – Bekannte Probleme und MängelGebrauchtwagenberater (Alemania) · Motoring press · published 2 March 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  6. Baterías de híbrido enchufable: cuándo habrá que sustituirlas (Outlander PHEV)Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 May 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. El Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV sí llegará a Europa, incluida España, en 2021Híbridos y Eléctricos · Motoring press · published 18 October 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Volvo S60Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  11. Mitsubishi OutlanderWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  12. Mitsubishi 4B1 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. Fiabilité et pannes Ford Mondeo 3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité et pannes Ford S-MaxFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Ford Fiesta STWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  16. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2013 – 2014): alerta A12/1947/19 (sensor de caudal de aire)car-recalls.eu (alertas Safety Gate / RAPEX) · Other source · published 13 December 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026