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4B11

2.0 Outlander PHEV (4B11, 12 kWh battery, 2013-2018) engine: faults and reliability

Mitsubishi PHEV: Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross PHEV (4B11 and 4B12 con dos motores eléctricos) version

With caution

This is the version that concentrates the documented campaigns (spark plugs and software in 2013-2015, air flow sensor in 2013-2014 and fuel hose in 2015), and the oldest units have already passed the eight-year battery warranty; check with the VIN that the campaigns have been done and ask for the battery's state of health.[1][2][3]

Years
2013–2018
Power
163–197 hp
Faults that affect it
5
2 of high or critical severity
Cars that use it
1
in our database

7 sourcesHow we work

What changes in this version

First version of the system: a 2.0 petrol engine (4B11, modified for the PHEV with a higher compression ratio and a speed limited to 4,500 rpm to protect the electric motor and generator) and two 60 kW electric motors, one per axle, with a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery. The combined output varies by source: 163 hp in German Wikipedia and 197 hp in the English one.[4][5][6]

Engine codes of this version: 4B11.

Faults of the 4B11 engine

The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.

  1. 1Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsLoss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacityAccording to gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the Outlander PHEV's traction battery can drop to around 80% of its capacity within one or two years because of a software fault, apparently mainly in 2019. Autofácil cites a Geotab study pointing to faster degradation in the 2018 Outlander. No costs have been published.
  2. 2Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionSpark plugs and petrol engine software on the Outlander PHEV (campaign R3033111)The DVSA records a recall (R/2017/183) of 14,242 UK Outlanders (PHEV, judging by the defect) built between October 2013 and June 2015: the petrol engine may run poorly and, in the worst case, fail to start in order to charge the traction battery. It is fixed with software and new spark plugs.
  3. 3High severityFrequency: RareIntakeCorroded air flow sensor: the petrol engine does not start to charge the batteryOn 2014 Outlander PHEVs, sulphur from the intake hose can corrode the resistor in the air flow sensor. The petrol engine then does not start to charge the traction battery and the car may suddenly stop. Safety Gate records it (A12/1947/19); the DVSA counts only 12 cars.
  4. 4High severityFrequency: RareFuelFuel leak at the tank hose connection (2015 campaign)In 2015, 1,092 UK Outlander PHEVs built between 21 July and 12 September 2015 were recalled: the connection between the fuel pipe and hose may have been incorrectly fitted at the factory and could leak petrol. It is inspected and, if necessary, reconnected correctly.
  5. 5Low severityFrequency: OccasionalOtherFaulty charging port flap on the Outlander PHEVCarwow notes that the Outlander PHEV's charging port flap is a part prone to failure and recommends checking that its latches work properly when buying a used one. According to the same source, fixing it is not expensive. We have found no figures for frequency or cost.

Cars fitted with the 4B11 engine

Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.

Mitsubishi

Frequently asked questions

Is the 4B11 engine reliable?

Our verdict is “With caution”. This is the version that concentrates the documented campaigns (spark plugs and software in 2013-2015, air flow sensor in 2013-2014 and fuel hose in 2015), and the oldest units have already passed the eight-year battery warranty; check with the VIN that the campaigns have been done and ask for the battery's state of health.[1][2][3]

What faults does the 4B11 engine have?

The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: loss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacity (medium severity), spark plugs and petrol engine software on the Outlander PHEV (campaign R3033111) (medium severity), corroded air flow sensor: the petrol engine does not start to charge the battery (high severity), fuel leak at the tank hose connection (2015 campaign) (high severity) and faulty charging port flap on the Outlander PHEV (low severity).

Which cars use the 4B11 engine?

Mitsubishi Outlander III (2013–2021).[4][5][7]

Are you buying a car with the 4B11 engine?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.

Sources

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

  1. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  2. 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
  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. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Mitsubishi OutlanderWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  6. Mitsubishi 4B1 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. 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