2014-2021 (GF) · 2.0L petrol + dual electric motors (PHEV system)
World's first plug-in hybrid SUV and best-selling PHEV globally for several years. Popular as company car in Europe due to tax benefits. Generally reliable with robust electric drivetrain, but watch for battery degradation (especially pre-2016 models), premature brake wear, 12V auxiliary battery failures, and charging flap issues. Paint quality is poor across all years. Post-2016 facelift models offer improved ride and features. 8-year battery warranty provides good protection. Avoid 2023+ models in cold climates due to removed battery heater.
Capacity loss over time reduces electric range, especially on pre-2016 cars · more· less
Battery degradation of 10-15% over 5 years is normal, but some owners report more significant drops. Early 2014-2015 models show higher degradation rates. Mitsubishi states maximum 20% capacity loss is expected over the vehicle's lifetime. If battery falls below 70% capacity (26.6Ah out of original 38Ah) within 8 years/100,000 miles, it should be covered under warranty. Replacement costs €5,000-6,000 for older vehicles, €12,000-13,000 for newer models at dealers. Check battery State of Health (SOH) using OBD-II adapter with PHEVwatchdog app before purchase - anything above 25.6Ah reading is healthy. Cold weather significantly reduces range. Some dealers resist warranty claims, claiming degradation is "normal."
12V auxiliary battery failure€200 - €550
Undersized battery fails frequently, causing "PHEV System Fault" message · more· less
The 12V auxiliary battery (located under boot floor) is widely considered underpowered for the car and fails frequently. Must be 45aH 325 CCA AGM type with proper venting (Yuasa HJ-S46B24L(S) approved). Symptoms include "PHEV System Fault" message, failure to start, or complete electrical shutdown. Dealer replacement costs €500+ in Netherlands, but DIY replacement with correct spec battery costs €200-250. Battery is covered under warranty for first 24 months unlimited mileage, 50% customer cost between 24-36 months. If WiFi support is enabled, car charges 12V from EV battery at 2PM daily, which helps longevity.
Premature brake pad/rotor wear€250 - €600
Rear brakes wear unusually fast, often needing replacement at 15,000-25,000 km · more· less
2014-2018 models particularly affected. Rear brake pads can wear out as early as 12,000-20,000 miles due to regenerative braking system design putting more load on rear mechanical brakes. Some owners report needing rear brake replacement twice while fronts remain fine. Average cost €270-310 for pad replacement, €600+ if rotors also need replacing. Check brake pad thickness and caliper rubber protectors during inspection - protectors breaking is common. This is a known widespread issue but Mitsubishi has not issued a recall or extended warranty coverage.
Charging port flap damage€100 - €750
Spring clips break, causing flap to scrape bodywork and damage paint · more· less
Common issue across all model years. The spring clip holding the large charging flap breaks or comes loose, causing the door to scrape against bodywork. Dealers often claim "customer damage" and resist warranty claims, but approximately 40 owners have reported identical failures online. 2016 models received updated moldings and stiffer door to address the issue. DIY repair possible in 45 minutes with no parts if you catch it early. Complete charging port replacement costs approximately €750, paint repair from scraping €650. Later models (2023+) have improved actuator design but still experience failures - TSB issued for actuator and door replacement kit.
Paint chipping and peeling€1,000 - €4,000
Notoriously thin paint chips extremely easily, especially on bonnet · more· less
This is one of the most widespread complaints. Mitsubishi paint is extremely thin with poor clear coat, chipping easily even from normal road debris. Bonnet typically shows 20-30 chips within first year. White primer underneath makes chips highly visible on dark colors. Black paint reported as particularly soft. 2015-2016 models especially affected. Mitsubishi refuses warranty coverage for paint chips. Full bonnet respray costs €1,000-1,200, full car repaint €3,000-4,000. Consider paint protection film for bonnet and front bumper on any used purchase. Norwegian owners have successfully obtained free repaints by Mitsubishi admitting "paint is on the thin side."
Parking brake corrosion/failure€400 - €800
Caliper boot lets in water causing corrosion on early models · more· less
Recall issued for models built from start of production until 21 January 2016. Parking brake caliper boot allows water ingress, leading to internal corrosion and reduced parking brake effectiveness. Post-facelift models (2016+) use electronic parking brake which has occasional release failure reported by some owners - typically resolves with second attempt. Mechanical parking brake repair/replacement costs €400-600, electronic parking brake actuator €600-800. Verify recall completed before purchase using VIN check with Mitsubishi dealer.
Suspension component wear€800 - €1,300
Struts and bushings wear prematurely due to extra weight from batteries · more· less
PHEV model weighs significantly more than conventional Outlander (approximately 200kg additional) putting extra stress on suspension components. Struts, bushings, and mounts wear faster than typical SUV. Early pre-facelift 2014-2015 models had particularly poor ride quality which was improved in 2016 update. Symptoms include bouncy ride, clicking/growling when turning, squeaking when steering. Strut replacement costs €1,100-1,300 for pair including mounts. Individual bushing replacement €200-400. Shock absorbers may show oil misting which dealers sometimes incorrectly diagnose as requiring replacement.
Fuel system oil dilution€100 - €400
Petrol engine doesn't run long enough to burn off fuel in oil · more· less
Common PHEV issue - the petrol engine often runs too briefly to fully warm up and burn off fuel blow-by, leading to fuel accumulation in engine oil. Oil analysis reports show fuel dilution reaching 4-5% at just 6,000km, well above safe levels. This prevents proper lubrication and accelerates engine wear. Mitsubishi recommends oil change every 12,000km or annually, but many owners change at 7,500km intervals due to this issue. More frequent oil changes (every 5,000-7,500km) strongly recommended for cars driven mostly in EV mode with infrequent long trips. Oil change costs €100-150 at independent shop, €250-400 at dealer.
Door latch failure (hot weather)€200 - €500
Latching mechanism malfunctions in high temperatures (May-Sep 2015 production) · more· less
Recall issued for cars built between 6 May 2015 and 14 March 2016. Door latching mechanism can malfunction in hot weather, potentially allowing doors to open while vehicle is being driven. New latches must be installed if affected. Door latch replacement costs €200-300 per door at independent shop, €400-500 at dealer. Verify recall completion with VIN check before purchase. This is a serious safety issue that must be addressed.
ECU relay overheating€150 - €400
Can cause engine stalling (Dec 2014 - Mar 2016 production) · more· less
Recall for vehicles manufactured between 5 December 2014 and 31 March 2016. ECU relay can overheat causing engine to stall unexpectedly while driving. Replacement relay required for affected vehicles. Relay replacement costs €150-250 at independent shop, €300-400 at dealer. Check recall history with dealer using VIN before purchase.
Generally reliable but several common issues
The Outlander PHEV is mechanically robust with the electric drivetrain proving very durable. However, several quality issues affect nearly all examples: paint deterioration is almost universal, 12V battery failures are very common, brake wear is accelerated, and charging flap problems frequent. Battery degradation is the biggest long-term concern, especially on pre-2016 models. Post-facelift 2016+ models offer improvements. RAC reports these as "bulletproof" with low breakdown rates. Budget for more frequent maintenance than conventional cars due to hybrid complexity.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Complete service history
Must be dealer serviced to maintain warranty. DIY or non-authorized service voids warranty on hybrid components.
Test both EV and hybrid modes
Drive minimum 20 minutes. Test full EV mode, then deplete battery to verify smooth petrol engine start and transitions.
Cold start essential
Car must be completely cold. Listen for unusual noises when systems initialize.
Body condition and paint
Inspect bonnet, front bumper, and wheel arches closely for chips and touch-ups. Check for accident damage.
Verify all recalls completed
Contact Mitsubishi dealer with VIN. Multiple safety recalls issued 2014-2016 production.
Specific for this vehicle
High-voltage battery State of Health check
Critical - do not buy without recent battery report from Mitsubishi dealer or OBD-II check with PHEVwatchdog app. Reading above 25.6Ah is healthy. Below 26.6Ah should be warranty claim. Note displayed range and compare to EPA rating for model year.
Check rear brake pads thickness
Remove wheel if possible - rear pads wear 2-3x faster than fronts. Also inspect caliper rubber boots for damage.
Inspect charging port flap operation
Open and close multiple times. Check spring clips for damage. Look for paint damage on surrounding bodywork from scraping. Should close smoothly without force.
Test both home and public charging
Bring charging cable and verify charging initiates properly. Check Type 1 port and flap mechanism.
Check for PHEV system fault codes
Use OBD-II scanner or have dealer scan. "PHEV System Fault" message often indicates 12V battery issue but could be more serious.
Inspect all paint surfaces closely
Bonnet and front bumper will almost certainly have chips. Check if professionally repaired or just touched up. Excessive chipping may indicate future rust.
Test parking brake operation
For pre-2016 mechanical handbrake, verify strong hold on incline. For post-2016 electronic, test release functions properly first time.
Check 12V auxiliary battery age
Located under boot floor. Check production date on battery. If over 3 years old, factor in replacement soon.
Verify infotainment and Bluetooth work
Connect iPhone if applicable (known compatibility issues). Test all USB ports, navigation, and radio.
Listen for suspension noises
Drive over speed bumps and rough roads. Listen for clunks, squeaks, or excessive bounce indicating worn struts/bushings.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Door latch failure (May 2015 - Mar 2016)Verify completed
ECU relay overheating (Dec 2014 - Mar 2016)Verify completed
Parking brake caliper corrosion (2014 - Jan 2016)Verify completed
Fuel system leak (Jul - Sep 2015)Verify completed
ESP braking interruption (Aug 2016 - Jan 2018)Software update
Liftgate gas spring corrosion (2014-2020)Verify completed
TSB: Charging port door actuator (2023+)Parts kit available
TSB: Brake pad premature wearAcknowledged, no recall
Contact Mitsubishi dealer with VIN to verify all recalls completed. Multiple safety-critical recalls issued for 2014-2016 production. 2023+ models have separate cold weather battery heater issue - avoid in cold climates.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years pre-2015, 5 years post-2015)Expired on all 2014-2021 models
PHEV battery warranty (8 years / 100,000 miles)Check if still active
12V auxiliary battery (24 months unlimited)Expired on used models
Netherlands battery SOH guarantee67% SOH / 160,000 km / 8 years
Most critical is the 8-year high-voltage battery warranty covering capacity degradation below 70% (26.6Ah). Pre-July 2015 models have 3-year/62,500 mile basic warranty; post-July 2015 have 5-year warranty. Netherlands market offers 67% SOH guarantee at 160,000km/8 years. Some dealers resist warranty claims - be persistent and document battery capacity with OBD-II data if needed.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.