Mitsubishi i-MiEV HA
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The i-MiEV was one of the very first affordable production EVs (from 2009) — identical to the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero. A tiny rear-motor electric for pure city commuting. Buyer profile: someone after a dirt-cheap second car for short hops who knows and accepts the limits of a pioneer EV.
The drivetrain: The permanent-magnet synchronous motor (49 kW) itself is near maintenance-free and very durable — the weaknesses all sit in the high-voltage periphery and the small battery. Battery degradation is the central issue: the lithium cells lose capacity over the years, far faster in hot climates (sev4). A replacement at €1,000–8,000 is effectively an economic write-off — so remaining capacity is the single most important buying criterion. On top of that the onboard charger (OBC/DC-DC) fails (sev4, €300–3,500), and the 12V auxiliary battery causes trouble.
Range & heating: Range was tight even when new and shrinks dramatically in winter (sev2/prob5). The PTC heater draws heavily and noticeably cuts range (sev3/prob4) — and can fail outright (fault B1108, €400–2,000). Heat in winter and you won't get far. Charging is via CHAdeMO fast charger.
Whole car: Little classic wear. Rust appears around the CHAdeMO port (€100–400). Important: the recall for the corroded brake vacuum pump (sev4) — verify the status without fail.
Test drive: Have the battery's remaining capacity read out (via diagnostics or a range test on a full charge) — it decides everything. Test the heater at standstill (B1108). Watch the 12V battery and standing drain. Check the brake-pump recall status. Watch one CHAdeMO charge cycle.
Market 2026: €4,000–9,000, heavily dependent on remaining battery capacity. Insider pick: an example from a cool climate with documented high remaining capacity and the brake-pump recall done — as a pure city car it's then a surprisingly cheap, low-maintenance EV.
Engine Overview
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV HA is available with one engine variant at 67 hp.
The permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor itself is virtually maintenance-free and considered extremely durable — the weak points lie in the high-voltage periphery and the small battery. The lithium cells lose capacity over the years, much faster in hot climates; the already short range shrinks noticeably in winter because cold cells deliver less energy and the heater draws heavily. The onboard charger (OBC) is a known weak spot — blown snubber capacitors and a fuse in the power unit prevent charging. The 12 V lead-acid battery ages quickly due to frequent DC-DC converter cycling. The PTC heater can fail and set fault codes. Buying check: read out remaining battery capacity, test AC and fast charging, check the heater.
- !! Battery degradation (capacity loss)
The 16 kWh LEJ battery of the i-MiEV loses capacity with age and charge cycles. Older examples (model years 2011–2014) often show only 60–80% of their original capacity. Real-world range drops to 70–100 km.
Symptoms: Reduced range, bars missing from the battery condition display, reduced acceleration at low state of charge - !! On-board charger failure
The i-MiEV's integrated AC charger (3.3 kW) can fail after many charge cycles. Charging via a domestic socket is then no longer possible. The separate CHAdeMO fast-charging function is unaffected. Repair is expensive.
Symptoms: No response when plugged into the mains, warning light illuminates, charging only possible via CHAdeMO fast charger - !! Heating (PTC heater) inefficient
The i-MiEV's PTC electric heater draws a lot of current in freezing temperatures and reduces range to 40–60 km. Not a defect but inherent to the design — the vehicle is only partially suitable for cold climates.
Symptoms: Very short range at temperatures below 5°C, full heating output reduces range to below 60 km
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| High-voltage battery: accelerated capacity loss The LEV50 cells lose up to 17 percent of their capacity after just 40,000 km. Frequent fast charging significantly accelerates degradation. Mitsubishi offers individual module repair rather than a complete replacement (approx. €1,000 per cell block). Symptoms: Significantly reduced range compared to original, state of charge reaches 100% faster, range indicator jumps erratically from 50,000 km | High | |
| On-board charger (OBC/DC-DC) failure The combined on-board charger with DC-DC converter (shared with iOn/C-Zero) often fails, frequently from blown snubber capacitors or an internal short. Then neither the HV battery nor the 12V battery charges. A new unit is very expensive; repair is possible. Symptoms: Car no longer charges, 12V battery drains, charge warning/error message, car stranded. from 90,000 km | High | |
| 12V battery drains The small 12V auxiliary battery is charged in drive mode via the OBC (about 14.2V). With a weak OBC or long standstill it drains, the car will not go READY and won't start — a common annoyance on this EV. Symptoms: Car won't go READY, HV system won't power up, weak 12V battery after standing. from 80,000 km | Low |
Alternatives
Explore more
Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 12 weaknesses have been documented for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV HA (2009–2020) — 5 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. One problem engine: i-MiEV-EM (Elektromotor). Typical issues affect Electronics, Rust, HVAC, Other.
i-MiEV (i-MiEV-EM, 2009–2020) — Stay Away!: Battery degradation (capacity loss), On-board charger failure, Heating (PTC heater) inefficient. Power: 67 PS.
What to watch out for with the Mitsubishi i-MiEV? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Mitsubishi i-MiEV HA have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Mitsubishi i-MiEV HA? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Mitsubishi i-MiEV HA engine is the most fun? +
Is the Mitsubishi i-MiEV HA worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV HA? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee