Skip to content
MotorFiable

Mitsubishi PHEV vs 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Mitsubishi PHEV carries less risk than the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: 24/100 (low risk) versus 50/100 (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 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT».

Risk index

Mitsubishi PHEV

24

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

50

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

25 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 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 reliable?

Eight-valve petrol engines, simple, with a timing belt. For the European 1.0 and 1.4, sources only record isolated incidents, mainly ignition faults in damp weather on the 1.4. In Brazil, the 2008-2010 1.0 VHT of the Gol, Voyage and Fox suffered lubrication-related noise, an oil campaign with extended warranty and a software recall in 2009.[6][7][8][9]

See the 4 of the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Mitsubishi PHEV and 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Mitsubishi PHEV1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power163–224 hp50–104 hp
Productionsince 2013[10][11][12]1991–2022[13][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)24Low risk50High risk
Documented faults54
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. High severity: Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT
  2. Critical severity: Hard cold starting and software update for the 2009-2010 1.0
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat, housing and water pump of the cooling circuit
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]
  • 1.0 8v 50 hp (AER, ALD, ALL, ANV, AUC; 1996-2005)[17][18]
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]
  • 1.4 8v 55-60 hp (ABD, AKP, AEX, AKV, APQ, ANX, ANW; 1991-2005)[8][9]
  • 1.0 8v Mi and Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 1997-2008)[6][20][21][22]
  • 1.0 8v VHT flex (EA-111, 2008-2022)[6][20][23][24]
  • 1.6 8v Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 2003-2022)[20][25]
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

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

See the 9 models with the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

Other comparisons

With the Mitsubishi PHEV

With the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

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. A VW e o problema dos motores 1.0Motorshow · Motoring press · published 1 December 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  7. Volkswagen faz recall do novo Gol, Voyage e Fox 1.0Vrum · Motoring press · published 17 August 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  8. Fiabilité Volkswagen Polo III (1994-2001) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  9. Volkswagen Polo III: averías notificadas por los usuariosAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  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. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. VW Golf IIIWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Volkswagen GolWikipedia (pt) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  16. Troca de bomba d'água e correia de sincronismo do Gol G5 EA111Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 7 March 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  17. Fiabilité Volkswagen Lupo (1998-2005) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  18. Volkswagen Lupo (1998–2005): opiniones por motorizaciónAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  19. 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
  20. Justiça do RS determina recall de 400 mil veículos da VolkswagenOlhar Direto (con G1) · General press · published 13 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  21. Substituição de bobina, cabos e velas de ignição do Volkswagen Fox 1.0Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 1 December 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  22. Volkswagen Gol: os 5 maiores defeitos crônicos do queridinho do BrasilVrum · Motoring press · published 9 April 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  23. Mais um recall e mais uma marca colocada à provaMecânica Online · Motoring press · published 1 November 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  24. Tribunal revoga recall para Gol, Voyage e FoxiCarros · Motoring press · published 16 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  25. Este é o motor Volkswagen que consumia mais óleo que gasolinaClick Petróleo e Gás · General press · published 12 June 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese