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2020 Outlander PHEV - Reduced EV range and slower charging?

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 22, 5:37 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT

Hi everyone, I'm an owner of a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV GT, and I've noticed a significant drop in my electric-only range over the past few months. When I first got the car, I could easily get 22-24 miles on a full charge, but now I'm lucky to hit 18 miles, sometimes even less. It's fully charged every night using a Level 2 charger.

On top of that, it seems like the charging process itself is taking longer than it used to, both at home and at public stations. I haven't changed my charging habits or the charger. I'm worried about battery degradation. Is this normal for a 3-year-old PHEV, or could there be an issue with the battery pack or charging system?

Are there any diagnostic steps I can take or things I should be looking out for? I'm still under warranty, but I want to be informed before I take it to the dealer.

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 5:37 AM

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It's understandable to be concerned about reduced EV range and slower charging in your 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. While some battery degradation is normal over time and mileage, a significant drop in a relatively short period could indicate an issue.

Here's a breakdown of potential causes and what to do:

  1. Normal Degradation vs. Problem:
    • Normal: Lithium-ion batteries naturally lose some capacity over their lifespan, influenced by charge cycles, temperature, and age. A gradual, slight decrease in range over 3 years is expected. However, a sudden or substantial drop (e.g., 20%+ in a few months) warrants investigation.
    • Environmental Factors: Cold weather significantly impacts battery performance and range. Ensure your observations aren't solely during colder months. Also, aggressive driving reduces range.
  2. Charging System Check:
    • Charger Health: While you haven't changed your charger, the charger itself (Level 2 EVSE) could be developing an issue. Try charging at a different Level 2 public station to see if the charging speed improves.
    • Vehicle's Onboard Charger: The vehicle's internal charging components could be faulty, limiting the power it accepts.
  3. Battery Management System (BMS): The BMS monitors and balances the battery cells. A fault in the BMS could lead to inaccurate range estimates or uneven cell degradation, affecting overall pack performance. This often triggers diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
  4. Diagnostic Steps & When to See a Shop:
    • Check for Warning Lights: Are there any 'Check Engine' or specific EV system warning lights illuminated on your dashboard?
    • Dealership Visit: Since your vehicle is still under warranty (Mitsubishi typically offers a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on PHEV battery components), your best course of action is to schedule an appointment with a Mitsubishi dealership. They have specialized diagnostic tools to:
      • Read specific PHEV system fault codes (e.g., related to battery modules, charging circuits, or the inverter).
      • Perform a battery health check, which can assess the state of health (SOH) of your high-voltage battery pack.
      • Inspect the charging port and cables for any damage or corrosion.
    • Document Everything: Keep a log of your observed range, charging times, and any warning lights. This information will be valuable for the technicians.
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