The plug-in hybrid's electric range has dropped: which faults cause it?

The most important among the documented faults: accelerated degradation of the air-cooled battery, in the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200; battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire, in the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron; traction battery fire risk (2023 and 2024 recalls), in the Fiat 500e; traction battery: fire risk from defective cells or insufficient supervision, in the Hyundai-Kia eléctrico (Ioniq, Kona, e-Niro, Soul EV); internal short circuit in the high-voltage battery: fire risk, software update and battery replacement, in the Mercedes EQA / EQB; anode delamination in 52 kWh battery cells (2026 campaign), in the Renault 5 E-Tech (AmpR Small); faulty modules in the high-voltage battery with fire risk, in the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron); faulty supplier cells: charging limited to 80% until the battery is checked, in the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron).

Electrics and electronicsUrgency: Monitor

The plug-in hybrid's electric range has dropped: causes and the faults that trigger it

14 documented faults cause it in 12 engines. The most important:

High severity: Accelerated degradation of the air-cooled battery · Nissan Leaf and e-NV200
Critical severity: Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire · Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron
Critical severity: Traction battery fire risk (2023 and 2024 recalls) · Fiat 500e

What it means

In electric mode the car covers noticeably less distance than when it was new, and the petrol engine cuts in sooner than usual. In a plug-in hybrid this can come from normal battery wear, a fault in the battery itself, or factors such as cold weather, speed or using the climate control.

General explanation from MotorFiable. How it shows up in each engine, with sources, is in the list of faults.

What to do now

Monitor

Compare the current range on a full charge with what the car showed when new, in similar conditions, and ask a main dealer for a state-of-health (SoH) reading of the traction battery. Also check whether the battery warranty covers loss of capacity.

Reviewed on 30 October 202621 sources How we work

Faults that cause it

Specific engine and gearbox faults, from most to least important (severity × frequency). Below each title, how the symptom shows up in that fault.

- High severityFrequency: CommonNissan Leaf and e-NV200Accelerated degradation of the air-cooled batteryReal range falls markedly and the capacity bar indicator loses segments earlier than expected, especially in heat and with frequent fast charging.
Source for the symptom in the Nissan Leaf and e-NV200^[1][2][3]
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi e-tron / Q8 e-tronBattery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fireAudi states that a loss of range or power can be an early sign of the problem.
Source for the symptom in the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron^[4]
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat 500eTraction battery fire risk (2023 and 2024 recalls)One owner reports that their high-voltage battery was rendered unusable at 20 months and 8,689 km, and another had a first traction battery repair in 2024 after around 12,000 km.
Source for the symptom in the Fiat 500e^[5]
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai-Kia eléctrico (Ioniq, Kona, e-Niro, Soul EV)Traction battery: fire risk from defective cells or insufficient supervisionThere are usually no symptoms before failure; the campaign exists precisely because the defect can go unnoticed. A fault warning on the dashboard or a sudden loss of capacity should be checked at the official service.
Source for the symptom in the Hyundai-Kia eléctrico (Ioniq, Kona, e-Niro, Soul EV)^[6][7]
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes EQA / EQBInternal short circuit in the high-voltage battery: fire risk, software update and battery replacementAfter the 2025 software update, according to electrive, the car has less usable energy and less charging power.
Source for the symptom in the Mercedes EQA / EQB^[8]
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault 5 E-Tech (AmpR Small)Anode delamination in 52 kWh battery cells (2026 campaign)Loss of range due to the damaged cell, according to the alert.
Source for the symptom in the Renault 5 E-Tech (AmpR Small)^[9]
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)Faulty modules in the high-voltage battery with fire riskModules outside specification can noticeably reduce range and light a yellow warning light, although there is not always advance warning.
Source for the symptom in the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)^[10][11]
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)Faulty supplier cells: charging limited to 80% until the battery is checkedAs an immediate measure the car limits charging to 80%, with the consequent loss of usable range until the battery is checked.
Source for the symptom in the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)^[12][13]
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalDacia SpringSerious traction battery alerts and their management (BMS)Autoheute.de reports owners whose capacity drops sharply (by up to 60% within a few kilometres) and who enter safe mode.
Source for the symptom in the Dacia Spring^[14]
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalMEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)Cells with high self-discharge in early cars: service measures 93P7 and 93Q2Cells with higher self-discharge can reduce usable capacity and range.
Source for the symptom in the MEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)^[15]
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTesla Model S / Model XHigh-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) faultGreater range loss than expected or charging faults; in one case cited, an electronic component in the BMS caused a battery management fault.
Source for the symptom in the Tesla Model S / Model X^[16][17]
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi PHEVLoss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacityThe electric-mode range is clearly lower than the car's original (Autofácil uses as a reference the 54 km of a 2018 unit).
Source for the symptom in the Mitsubishi PHEV^[18][19]
- High severityFrequency: RareHyundai-Kia E-GMP (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, EV6)Faulty traction battery module or cellsA faulty module may reduce usable capacity until it is repaired.
Source for the symptom in the Hyundai-Kia E-GMP (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, EV6)^[20]
- High severityFrequency: RareRenault-Nissan CMF-EV (Mégane E-Tech, Ariya)Mégane E-Tech traction battery: warnings, range loss and immobilisationReal range far below the indicated figure, even at 100% charge, in the EV40 version.
Source for the symptom in the Renault-Nissan CMF-EV (Mégane E-Tech, Ariya)^[21]

Which cars it appears in

These faults affect 12 engines. We have documented 26 models from 13 makes with some of the affected versions: open yours to see all its faults.

Engines

Cars with the affected versions

Audi

Hyundai

Kia

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz EQA H243Engine: Mercedes EQA / EQBYears: since 2021

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Outlander IIIEngine: Mitsubishi PHEVYears: 2013–2021

Nissan

Renault

Škoda

Tesla

Volkswagen

Reduced electric range: causes in your car

8 cars have several documented faults that cause this symptom. Choose yours to see only those that affect it, by engine and by year.

Audi 1

Audi Q4 e-tron

Cupra 1

Cupra Born

Škoda 2

Volkswagen 4

Reduced electric range by brand

Other symptoms: electrics and electronics

All symptoms

Has this happened to you? Tell us which fault it was, at how many kilometres and how much you paid: it helps other owners know what to expect. Report your fault.

Sources

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

Estudio comparativo de la degradación de la batería del Nissan Leaf de primera generaciónMovilidad Eléctrica · Motoring press · published 27 March 2018 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Nissan Leaf (2011-2017) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
Nissan estudiará la pérdida prematura de capacidad de las baterías de algunos LEAFMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 2 August 2012 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Audi-Rückruf: Defekte Akkuzellen - Brandgefahr beim E-Tronauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published February 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Tous les problèmes sur Fiat 500e 2020 (23 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
Recall: Hyundai Ioniq EV (2019 - 2022), fire (SR/01576/26)Car-Recalls.eu (Safety Gate UE) · Official body · published June 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026
Recall: Kia Niro EV (2020 - 2022), fire (SR/02118/26)Car-Recalls.eu (Safety Gate UE) · Official body · published July 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026
Es probable que Mercedes sustituya las baterías de los modelos EQA y EQB en Alemaniaelectrive · Motoring press · published 17 February 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Renault 5 E-Tech (2025 – 2026) EV/Híbrido, incendio: llamada a revisión SR/00796/26car-recalls.eu (Safety Gate UE) · Other source · published 20 March 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
VW muss fast 100.000 MEB-Fahrzeuge zurückrufenecomento · Motoring press · published 24 March 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Cupra verschickt jetzt Rückrufschreiben an Halter des Modells BornDr. Stoll & Sauer (presseportal) · Other source · published 26 April 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Brandgefahr: Rückruf für VW ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID. Buzz und Cupra BornADAC · Reliability study · published 21 October 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
VW bereitet Batterie-Rückruf für mehrere ID.-Modelle vorelectrive · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Der Dacia Spring: Günstig, aber eine zuverlässige Alternative?Autoheute.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
VW ID.4: bekannte Probleme, Schwachstellen und RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Tesla Model S (2012-2021): tous les problèmesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
À quel rythme la batterie d'une Tesla se dégrade-t-elle ?Presse-citron · General press · published 26 April 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
Baterías de híbrido enchufable: cuándo habrá que sustituirlas (Outlander PHEV)Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 May 2020 · 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
Tous les problèmes sur Hyundai Ioniq 5 2021 (47 témoignages)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
Tous les problèmes sur Renault MEGANE E-TECH 2022 (86 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French