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BMW N20 vs Mitsubishi PHEV: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Mitsubishi PHEV carries less risk than the BMW N20: 24/100 (low risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The BMW N20 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)»; 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

BMW N20

63

High risk · 2 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

12 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW N20 reliable?

The BMW N20 (2011-2017) was the first turbocharged four-cylinder with which BMW replaced its naturally aspirated six-cylinders in models such as the 320i, 328i and X3, and it is generally mechanically sound. Its best-documented weak point is the timing chain guides and tensioner on units built before 2015; oil leaks, the electric water pump and, to a lesser extent, the turbo and the high-pressure fuel pump are also known issues.[1][2]

See the 5 of the BMW N20 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.[3][4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the Mitsubishi PHEV faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N20 and Mitsubishi PHEV
BMW N20Mitsubishi PHEV
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,997 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power156–245 hp163–224 hp
Production2011–2017[1][8]since 2013[9][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk24Low risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)
  2. Critical severity: Electric water pump failure (BMW campaign in the US over fire risk)
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover gasket and the filter housing
  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)[6][7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • N20B20 156 hp (115 kW, 2013-2016)[2]
  • N20B20B 184 hp (135 kW, 2011-2017)[2]
  • N20B20 218 hp (160 kW, 2012-2015)[2]
  • N20B20A 245 hp (180 kW, 2011-2017)[2]
  • 2.0 Outlander PHEV (4B11, 12 kWh battery, 2013-2018)[5][6][12]
  • 2.4 Outlander PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2018-2021)[3][4][5]
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

BMW N20

See the 8 models with the BMW N20

Mitsubishi PHEV

Other comparisons

With the BMW N20

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. BMW N20Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. BMW N20 Engine: Pros, Cons, Reliability, Tuning, and Maintenance GuideBMW BLOG · Motoring press · published 8 June 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. 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
  4. Mitsubishi Outlander (II & III) – Bekannte Probleme und MängelGebrauchtwagenberater (Alemania) · Motoring press · published 2 March 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  5. Baterías de híbrido enchufable: cuándo habrá que sustituirlas (Outlander PHEV)Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 May 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  6. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. 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
  8. BMW N20Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. Mitsubishi OutlanderWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  11. Mitsubishi 4B1 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. 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