Mitsubishi PHEV vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Mitsubishi PHEV carries less risk than the 1.2 16v: 24/100 (low risk) versus 36/100 (moderate 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 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

Mitsubishi PHEV

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.2 16v

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

Reviewed on 8 October 202621 sources How 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 1.2 16v reliable?

The 1.2 16v (D4F) and its 8-valve predecessor, the D7F, are simple naturally aspirated engines, used for over two decades as the entry-level option in Renault and Dacia cars, with a reputation for reliability: the reliability pages consulted document no catastrophic failures and no oil consumption. The most-cited problems are ignition coils and sensors and, on higher-mileage cars, the head gasket.^[6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Mitsubishi PHEV and 1.2 16v
Item	Mitsubishi PHEV	1.2 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,149 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	163–224 hp	60–76 hp
Production	since 2013^[10][11][12]	2001–2020^{[13][14][15][16]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	24Low risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Loss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacity Medium severity: Spark plugs and petrol engine software on the Outlander PHEV (campaign R3033111) High severity: Corroded air flow sensor: the petrol engine does not start to charge the battery	High severity: Damaged head gasket and coolant loss Medium severity: Ignition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light) Medium severity: Probe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.4 Eclipse Cross PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2021-2024)^[4][5]	1.2 16v 75/76 (D4F, 2001-2020)^{[6][7][8][9][17][18][19][20]} 1.2 16v 60 (D4F 708, Twingo I, 2004-2007)^[15]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 Outlander PHEV (4B11, 12 kWh battery, 2013-2018)^[3][4][21] 2.4 Outlander PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2018-2021)^[1][2][3]	None
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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

1.2 16v

See the 12 models with the 1.2 16v

Other comparisons

With the Mitsubishi PHEV

With the 1.2 16v

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Sources

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

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
Mitsubishi Outlander (II & III) – Bekannte Probleme und MängelGebrauchtwagenberater (Alemania) · Motoring press · published 2 March 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Baterías de híbrido enchufable: cuándo habrá que sustituirlas (Outlander PHEV)Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 May 2020 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
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
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Mitsubishi OutlanderWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Mitsubishi 4B1 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
Moteur D RenaultWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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