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MotorFiable

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

According to our risk index, the Mitsubishi PHEV carries less risk than the 1.6 THP: 24/100 (low risk) versus 64/100 (high 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»; the 1.6 THP has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)».

Risk index

Mitsubishi PHEV

24

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 THP

64

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

16 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 5 of the Mitsubishi PHEV faults

Is the 1.6 THP reliable?

The 1.6 THP turbo and its naturally aspirated sibling, the 1.6 VTi, make up the Prince family, developed together with BMW and also used by MINI: they do not have a reputation for reliability. Turbo versions built before 2012 carry a known problem of timing chain stretch, and the whole block shares a water pump described as fragile; the turbo versions add oil consumption and high-pressure fuel pump failures.[6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.6 THP faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Mitsubishi PHEV and 1.6 THP
Mitsubishi PHEV1.6 THP
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,598 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power163–224 hp120–270 hp
Productionsince 2013[10][11][12]2006–2018[6][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)24Low risk64High risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  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
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)
  2. High severity: Fragile water pump and heat exchanger
  3. Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 2.4 Eclipse Cross PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2021-2024)[4][5]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 Outlander PHEV (4B11, 12 kWh battery, 2013-2018)[3][4][15]
  • 2.4 Outlander PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2018-2021)[1][2][3]
  • 1.6 VTi 120 / 1.6 16v (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16, naturally aspirated)[9]
  • 1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)[7][8][16]
  • 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)[7][8][9]
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

Mitsubishi PHEV

1.6 THP

See the 16 models with the 1.6 THP

Other comparisons

With the Mitsubishi PHEV

With the 1.6 THP

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Sources

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

  1. 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
  2. Mitsubishi Outlander (II & III) – Bekannte Probleme und MängelGebrauchtwagenberater (Alemania) · Motoring press · published 2 March 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  3. Baterías de híbrido enchufable: cuándo habrá que sustituirlas (Outlander PHEV)Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 May 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  4. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. 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
  6. Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  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. Peugeot 308Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Peugeot RCZWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. 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
  16. BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026