Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Common Faults in the UK
2014–2021 plug-in hybrid — large plug-in hybrid SUV. Updated 6 October 2026.
This guide covers the 2014–2021 plug-in hybrid. For any other version of the Outlander PHEV, see how to check any car for known faults.
The early Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has an unusually long DVSA recall record: cars built from late 2013 to March 2016 are inside up to four large recalls, including a parking-brake caliper boot (R/2018/180), an engine ECU relay that could stall the car (R/2018/019) and a fault that can leave the car without drive (R/2017/183). What Car?’s used review (May 2021) ranked it 13th of 14 hybrids in its reliability survey. Mitsubishi’s current terms give the traction battery 8 years or 100,000 miles from the 2016 model year.
Largest DVSA recall for the Outlander PHEV: R/2018/180, 51,154 vehicles in the whole recall — Parking brake caliper shaft boots incorrectly sealed.
83.8% of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs pass the MOT first time, 2.2 points better than the national average for cars of the same age (81.6%). Counted from 5,432 DVSA tests on cars registered 2014–2021; a pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Compared against cars of the same registration years, because pass rates otherwise mostly measure how old a model's surviving fleet is.
See it by registration year and by mileage ↓No asking-price figure is shown: we give the median and middle 80% of asking prices only when at least 10 cars on Autoza qualify — here, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV cars registered 2013–2021, petrol and diesel versions excluded. The road tax line comes from GOV.UK's vehicle tax rate tables (2026/27 rates). The fuel economy tile names the source it rests on or says there is no sourced figure, and the insurance tile gives no figure. We do not publish a UK price index, and no figure here should be quoted as one.
Best and worst years to buy
We name a year as a best or worst buy only where the DVSA MOT table further down does not rate it the other way.
DVSA’s MOT table rates 2018 and 2019 registrations above all cars registered the same year (by 5.1 and 3.1 points), and cars built after January 2018 are outside the brake-hydraulic-unit recall R/2018/285. They are still inside R/2021/233, the forward-collision-mitigation camera software, which runs to cars built March 2020.
Cars built from 1 October 2013 to 31 March 2016 are in the parking-brake caliper boot recall R/2018/180, and those built from 5 December 2014 to 31 March 2016 in the engine ECU relay recall R/2018/019. Builds from 6 May 2015 are also in the door-latch recall R/2018/021, and builds to 1 June 2015 in R/2017/183, where the engine may not start to charge the battery. DVSA’s MOT table rates 2014 and 2015 registrations level with all cars registered those years, so the case rests on the recall dates.
Known faults — Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2014–2021 plug-in hybrid
How to read this list. Items marked Safety recall are DVSA safety recalls, shown with DVSA’s own reference. Whether a particular car is affected depends on when it was built: check it by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check. Items marked Warranty terms state what the manufacturer’s UK warranty or battery guarantee covers. They are not faults and not service actions: they carry no severity and no repair cost. Everything else in this list is owner-reported: what the UK publication named on each card reports from its owner surveys and tests. Those are worth checking on a viewing, but we hold no count of how many cars have each one, other than any survey share a card itself quotes. Treat an owner-reported item as a question to ask, not a fault this car has.
Parking brake — caliper shaft boots let in water
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: improperly sealed parking-brake caliper shaft boots may let water in and rust the shaft, which can stick; the automatic adjuster for brake pad clearance on the rear caliper may also not work properly. In the worst case the parking brake will not work even though the lever is fully operated, and a parked car may move.
- Years affected
- Outlander PHEV built 1 October 2013 to 31 March 2016 (DVSA’s plug-in hybrid rows); DVSA’s total and its overall dates, 11 September 2012 to 12 April 2016, also cover the diesel Outlander and the ASX
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. What Car? lists this one. Check the parking brake holds the car firmly on a slope.
Engine management — ECU relay may overheat (engine may stall)
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: the engine ECU relay may overheat and fail, which could interrupt the power supply to the engine and light the engine malfunction lamp; the engine may stall and may not restart. The relay is replaced.
- Years affected
- Outlander PHEV built 5 December 2014 to 31 March 2016 (DVSA’s plug-in hybrid row); DVSA’s total also covers the diesel Outlander and the ASX
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. What Car? lists this one, so ask for the dealer record showing the relay was replaced.
Doors — latch may malfunction in hot weather
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: the door-latch locking mechanism may not operate properly in high temperatures, so a door may latch correctly yet unintentionally open while driving. Either both offside door latches or all four are replaced, depending on the VIN.
- Years affected
- Outlander PHEV built 6 May 2015 to 14 March 2016 (DVSA’s plug-in hybrid rows); DVSA’s total also covers the diesel Outlander and the ASX
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. What Car? lists this one.
Forward collision mitigation — camera and brake software
- Symptoms
- For R/2021/233, DVSA wording: if there is an object in front of the car the forward-collision-mitigation camera system may incorrectly detect it as a pedestrian, depending on road circumstances; the FCM control unit software is updated. For R/2018/286: the collision-avoidance system may activate the brake for longer than necessary; the ECU is rewritten.
- Years affected
- Outlander PHEV built 5 August 2016 to 19 March 2020 (R/2021/233) and 5 August 2016 to 6 November 2017 (R/2018/286)
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
DVSA’s counts, recall by recall: R/2021/233 17,804 (every model in the recall); R/2018/286 6,752 (every model in the recall).
Brakes — hydraulic unit driver-assist functions may be interrupted
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: driver-assist functions that work through the hydraulic brake unit may be interrupted. The ECU is rewritten with modified software.
- Years affected
- Outlander PHEV built 4 August 2016 to 22 January 2018 (DVSA’s plug-in hybrid row); DVSA’s total also covers the ASX, the diesel Outlander and the Eclipse Cross
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record.
Hybrid system — engine may not start to charge the battery (loss of drive)
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: the internal combustion engine may not operate correctly, with fault codes, the engine warning lamp and a message; in the worst case it will fail to start and charge the main traction battery, and if the warnings are ignored the battery is depleted and the car loses all drive. Countermeasure software is applied and the spark plugs replaced with ones of approved specification.
- Years affected
- Outlander built 1 October 2013 to 1 June 2015; DVSA files it under “Outlander”, and its text describes the plug-in hybrid
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. Ask for the dealer record, and check the engine starts and the car charges its battery on a long drive.
Fuel — connection of the fuel pipe to the fuel hose (2015 builds)
- Symptoms
- DVSA wording: there is a possibility that a connection of the fuel pipe to the fuel hose was improperly mounted in production, so fuel may leak. The installation of the hose connector is inspected and reconnected correctly if improper.
- Years affected
- Outlander Hybrid built 21 July 2015 to 12 September 2015
- Indicative repair (UK)
- Free under recall
- What to check before buying
- Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. What Car? lists a fuel-leak recall for cars built in these months.
Cover — Mitsubishi UK’s warranty and traction-battery terms
- Symptoms
- Not a fault. Mitsubishi Motors in the UK gives a new car 5 years of cover (24 months unlimited mileage, then 62,500 miles to month 60) from first registration, and its current warranty manual adds 8 years or 100,000 miles on the Outlander PHEV’s main traction battery from the 2016 model year. The 12-volt battery has 3 years.
- Years affected
- All; the terms depend on the model year and registration date
- What to check before buying
- Mitsubishi says cover depends on the model year, the date and type of registration, so ask a Mitsubishi dealer for this VIN rather than assuming eight years. A 2014 or early 2015 car was sold under earlier terms: What Car? says the standard warranty was three years until Mitsubishi raised it to five in 2015.
Battery range display, charging flap and warning beeps
- Symptoms
- What Car? says some owners noticed the battery range on the display seemingly fall over time, which Mitsubishi puts down to the car learning how it is driven and adapting the predicted range; that the large flap over the charging sockets has been known to bend or lose clips; and that the car makes an unusual number of warning beeps and some owners had Bluetooth problems with iPhones.
- Years affected
- 2014–2021 Outlander PHEV
- What to check before buying
- Fully charge the car and compare the range shown with the seller’s claim, close the charging flap several times, and pair your own phone.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV MOT results by year and mileage
Measured from DVSA’s own MOT test records for tests carried out in 2025, not from owner reports.
By registration year
Against all cars registered in the same year, the MOT pass rate for the Outlander PHEV was higher in 3 and level in 5 of the 8 registration years from 2014 to 2021 with enough tests to measure. The widest gap above is 2018 registrations: 89.6% against 84.5%.
| Registered | Outlander PHEV | All cars that year | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021242 tests | 90.5% | 90.1% | +0.4 level |
| 2020371 tests | 88.9% | 88.7% | +0.2 level |
| 2019663 tests | 90.0% | 86.9% | +3.1 higher |
| 2018885 tests | 89.6% | 84.5% | +5.1 higher |
| 2017752 tests | 86.6% | 82.2% | +4.4 higher |
| 2016921 tests | 80.6% | 79.4% | +1.2 level |
| 20151,117 tests | 76.2% | 76.7% | −0.5 level |
| 2014481 tests | 76.3% | 74.3% | +2.0 level |
Only a major or dangerous defect fails an MOT. A minor defect is recorded on the certificate and the car still passes, and an advisory is not a failure at all.
We don’t give a recall count for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: whether a recall applies depends on the individual car. Check the one you are looking at by entering its registration on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall checker, and see how to check a car for known faults for the other free checks.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. Registration years shown are cars 3 to 12 years old when tested; the smallest rests on 242 tests. A gap is called level when it is under one percentage point or inside the 95% sampling margin for that number of tests. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Who this car suits — and who should look elsewhere
Buyers who want a large plug-in hybrid SUV and will check the recall record, particularly on a 2014–2016 car, and the battery cover for the exact VIN.
Anyone buying a 2014–2015 car without the dealer record for the parking-brake, ECU-relay and hybrid-system recalls.
Alternatives to consider
If the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV doesn't suit, these comparable models are worth a look in the UK market:
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: questions buyers ask
What are the most common faults on a used Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in the UK?
The early Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has an unusually long DVSA recall record: cars built from late 2013 to March 2016 are inside up to four large recalls, including a parking-brake caliper boot (R/2018/180), an engine ECU relay that could stall the car (R/2018/019) and a fault that can leave the car without drive (R/2017/183). What Car?’s used review (May 2021) ranked it 13th of 14 hybrids in its reliability survey. Mitsubishi’s current terms give the traction battery 8 years or 100,000 miles from the 2016 model year.
What is the best year to buy a used Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in the UK?
Best-buy years: 2018, 2019. DVSA’s MOT table rates 2018 and 2019 registrations above all cars registered the same year (by 5.1 and 3.1 points), and cars built after January 2018 are outside the brake-hydraulic-unit recall R/2018/285. They are still inside R/2021/233, the forward-collision-mitigation camera software, which runs to cars built March 2020.
What years of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV should I avoid in the UK?
Worst years: 2014, 2015. Cars built from 1 October 2013 to 31 March 2016 are in the parking-brake caliper boot recall R/2018/180, and those built from 5 December 2014 to 31 March 2016 in the engine ECU relay recall R/2018/019. Builds from 6 May 2015 are also in the door-latch recall R/2018/021, and builds to 1 June 2015 in R/2017/183, where the engine may not start to charge the battery. DVSA’s MOT table rates 2014 and 2015 registrations level with all cars registered those years, so the case rests on the recall dates.
How much does a used Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV cost in the UK in 2026?
This page gives no figure at the moment: Autoza quotes asking prices only when at least 10 qualifying cars are advertised with a price — here, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV cars registered 2013–2021, petrol and diesel versions excluded. Prices vary by mileage, region and trim, so compare several adverts of the same year and mileage band before negotiating.
What is the road tax (VED) on a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in the UK?
Annual road tax (VED): £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
What real-world fuel economy does a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV achieve on UK roads?
No sourced real-world figure. What matters on a plug-in hybrid is the electric range on a full charge and the economy once the battery is flat; read both on the car you are looking at.
How does a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV compare to its rivals?
Strong alternatives in the UK: Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage. Choose based on dealer network in your area, parts availability, and your priorities (running cost vs. cabin quality vs. badge).
Who is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV most suitable for?
Buyers who want a large plug-in hybrid SUV and will check the recall record, particularly on a 2014–2016 car, and the battery cover for the exact VIN.
Who should NOT buy a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?
Anyone buying a 2014–2015 car without the dealer record for the parking-brake, ECU-relay and hybrid-system recalls.
Are there safety recalls on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?
DVSA lists 8 safety recalls for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV that this guide shows or names, the largest first: R/2018/180 (51,154 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 11 September 2012 and 12 April 2016): Parking brake caliper shaft boots incorrectly sealed; R/2018/019 (28,059 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 5 December 2014 and 6 April 2016): ECU relay may overheat and cause ECU to malfunction; R/2018/021 (18,418 vehicles in the whole recall, built between 6 May 2015 and 15 March 2016): Door latching mechanism may malfunction in hot temperatures. Whether a particular car is affected depends on its build date and VIN, so check its registration on GOV.UK (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy.
Is the Parking brake — caliper shaft boots let in water on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV a serious problem?
Parking brake — caliper shaft boots let in water on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2018/180. Symptoms: DVSA wording: improperly sealed parking-brake caliper shaft boots may let water in and rust the shaft, which can stick; the automatic adjuster for brake pad clearance on the rear caliper may also not work properly. In the worst case the parking brake will not work even though the lever is fully operated, and a parked car may move. Years affected: Outlander PHEV built 1 October 2013 to 31 March 2016 (DVSA’s plug-in hybrid rows); DVSA’s total and its overall dates, 11 September 2012 to 12 April 2016, also cover the diesel Outlander and the ASX. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under recall. What to check before buying: Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. What Car? lists this one. Check the parking brake holds the car firmly on a slope.
Is the Engine management — ECU relay may overheat (engine may stall) on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV a serious problem?
Engine management — ECU relay may overheat (engine may stall) on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2018/019. Symptoms: DVSA wording: the engine ECU relay may overheat and fail, which could interrupt the power supply to the engine and light the engine malfunction lamp; the engine may stall and may not restart. The relay is replaced. Years affected: Outlander PHEV built 5 December 2014 to 31 March 2016 (DVSA’s plug-in hybrid row); DVSA’s total also covers the diesel Outlander and the ASX. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under recall. What to check before buying: Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. What Car? lists this one, so ask for the dealer record showing the relay was replaced.
Is the Doors — latch may malfunction in hot weather on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV a serious problem?
Doors — latch may malfunction in hot weather on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is covered by DVSA safety recall R/2018/021. Symptoms: DVSA wording: the door-latch locking mechanism may not operate properly in high temperatures, so a door may latch correctly yet unintentionally open while driving. Either both offside door latches or all four are replaced, depending on the VIN. Years affected: Outlander PHEV built 6 May 2015 to 14 March 2016 (DVSA’s plug-in hybrid rows); DVSA’s total also covers the diesel Outlander and the ASX. Indicative repair cost in the UK: Free under recall. What to check before buying: Check this one by registration through GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall) before you buy — an outstanding recall is free to put right and a completed one should be on the service record. What Car? lists this one.
Check these next
The guide above is about the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV as a model. These are about the car in front of you.
- Browse Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV listings on AutozaEvery one listed now.
- Check any car by its registrationFree: its MOT history, tax status and any open recall, from a number plate.
- Work out the road tax for the Outlander PHEVVehicle tax (VED) by registration date, CO2 and list price.
- Work out the monthly paymentExamples for a car loan or hire purchase by price, deposit, term and APR.
- What is your Outlander PHEV worth?A price range from dealers' asking prices for comparable cars.
Looking to buy a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in the UK?
Search Autoza listings filtered by year, mileage, and region. Every dealer page shows the business name, address and contact details, so you can check the business before you enquire.