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Mitsubishi PHEV vs 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT carries less risk than the Mitsubishi PHEV: 23/100 versus 24/100 (both low 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 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

Mitsubishi PHEV

24

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT reliable?

The Suzuki 1.2 VVT and 1.2 Dualjet (K12B/K12C/K12M) is a naturally aspirated petrol engine with a timing chain and indirect injection, fitted since 2008 to the Splash, Swift, Ignis and Baleno, with an SHVS mild-hybrid variant since 2016. It is reliable: there is no serious documented fault with the engine block itself; the main points are a clutch that wears out sooner than expected on some cars and two SHVS recalls that have already been resolved.[6][7][8][9][10]

See the 5 of the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Mitsubishi PHEV and 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Mitsubishi PHEV1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power163–224 hp82–92 hp
Productionsince 2013[11][12][13]since 2008[6][7]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)24Low risk23Low risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityHigh severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Clutch: premature wear and clutch cable anchor failure
  2. Medium severity: SHVS mild-hybrid system: recalls for the starter generator belt and software
  3. Medium severity: Water pump pulley fixing (2013-2014): recall
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]
  • 1.2 VVT 86-92 hp (K12B, one injector per cylinder, 2008-2013)[9]
  • 1.2 Dualjet non-hybrid 89-91 hp (K12B/K12C, dual injector, 2013-2020)[10][14][15]
  • 1.2 Dualjet SHVS mild hybrid 82-90 hp (K12C/K12D, since 2016)[10]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 Outlander PHEV (4B11, 12 kWh battery, 2013-2018)[3][4][16]
  • 2.4 Outlander PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2018-2021)[1][2][3]
None
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

1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

See the 7 models with the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

Other comparisons

With the Mitsubishi PHEV

With the 1.2 Dualjet and 1.2 VVT

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. 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. Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Suzuki Swift (NZ) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Suzuki Splash (2008–2014) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Suzuki Ignis (MF, ab 2016) – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. Mitsubishi OutlanderWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  13. Mitsubishi 4B1 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  14. Suzuki Ignis : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Suzuki Swift 2 : avis, qualités et défauts des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. 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