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Mitsubishi PHEV vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Mitsubishi PHEV carries less risk than the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: 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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

Mitsubishi PHEV

24

Low risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

21 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 and 2.0 8v EA827 reliable?

Simple, naturally aspirated petrol engines that, according to the sources, last a long time with regular maintenance. Gebrauchtwagenberater describes the 8-valve 1.6 as old-fashioned but reliable, and the 102 hp 1.6 MPI as even more reliable than the 1.4 16v. Watch the timing belt with the water pump, coolant leaks, oil consumption (especially on the 2.0) and idle and sensor faults.[6][7][8][9]

See the 6 of the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Mitsubishi PHEV and 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Mitsubishi PHEV1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power163–224 hp75–120 hp
Productionsince 2013[10][11][12]1991–2013[13][14][15][16][17]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)24Low risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults56
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityHigh severityHigh 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: Timing belt and water pump
  2. Medium severity: Coolant leaks: flange and water pump
  3. Medium severity: High oil consumption
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €700Timing belt and water pumpPublished figure[18]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 2.4 Eclipse Cross PHEV (4B12, 13.8 kWh battery, 2021-2024)[4][5]
  • 1.6 8v 100-101 hp (AEK, AFT, ADP, AEH, AKL, APF, BAH; 1994-2008)[6][19]
  • 1.6 8v 102 hp (AVU, BFQ, ALZ, BGU, BSE, BSF, CCSA; 2000-2013)[7][20]
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]
  • 1.6 8v 75 hp (ABU, AEA, AEE, 1F, ALM; 1992-2001)[9]
  • 2.0 8v 115-120 hp (2E, ADY, APK, AQY, AZJ and others; 1991-2010)[6][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 and 2.0 8v EA827

See the 29 models with the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

Other comparisons

With the Mitsubishi PHEV

With the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

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. VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. Skoda Octavia II (1Z): Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  8. Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 May 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. Fiabilité Skoda Octavia (1997-2004) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 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. Volkswagen EA827 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. SEAT ToledoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. VW New BeetleWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  16. Škoda Octavia IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  17. SEAT ExeoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra a la correaMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Fiabilité Audi A3 (1996-2003) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  20. Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  21. 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