Mitsubishi PHEV vs 1.8 T 20v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Mitsubishi PHEV carries less risk than the 1.8 T 20v: 24/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (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 1.8 T 20v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Turbo wear and oil consumption».

Risk index

Mitsubishi PHEV

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.8 T 20v

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 202619 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 1.8 T 20v reliable?

With up-to-date maintenance, the 20-valve 1.8T has a reputation as a powerful, durable engine for its time, but owner reports document recurring faults: ignition coils (especially on 2001 to 2003 units), water pump and air mass meter, and less often the turbo -sometimes linked to growing oil consumption- and the timing chain tensioner.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11]}

See the 5 of the 1.8 T 20v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Mitsubishi PHEV and 1.8 T 20v
Item	Mitsubishi PHEV	1.8 T 20v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,781 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	163–224 hp	150–225 hp
Production	since 2013^[12][13][14]	1996–2006^{[15][16][17][18]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	24Low risk	32Moderate 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: Turbo wear and oil consumption Medium severity: Water pump failure Medium severity: Timing chain tensioner noise and wear
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]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 Outlander PHEV (4B11, 12 kWh battery, 2013-2018)^[3][4][19] 2.4 Outlander PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2018-2021)^[1][2][3]	1.8 T 20v 150 hp (AEB/AGU/ARZ/AUM, 1996-2005)^[7][11] 1.8 T 20v 180 hp (AUQ, 1998-2006)^[8][9] 1.8 T 20v 225 hp quattro (BAM, 1999-2006)^[9]
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

1.8 T 20v

See the 11 models with the 1.8 T 20v

Other comparisons

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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 Volkswagen Golf IVFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volkswagen PassatFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Audi A3Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Audi TTFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Seat LeónFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
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
List of Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Audi TTWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
SEAT LeónWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
SEAT ToledoWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
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