Black Smoke & Sluggish Hybrid: Outlander SOS

Hey there! I actually faced similar issues with my 2020 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV last summer. The symptoms you're describing sound really familiar. In my case, it turned out to be corroded cable connections affecting both the battery system and fuel injection sensors. The cables had deteriorated due to moisture buildup, causing poor connectivity throughout the electrical system. Had it fixed at my local Mitsubishi dealership, they specialize in hybrids and found multiple connection points that needed cleaning and replacement. The repair involved replacing several cable harnesses and cleaning all the connection points. It was a serious issue that needed immediate attention since bad connections can damage other components if left unchecked. After the fix, the black smoke disappeared, starting became smooth again, and fuel efficiency went back to normal. The jerky acceleration was completely gone too. Given your symptoms, I'd strongly suggest getting it checked by a certified Mitsubishi hybrid specialist. These issues tend to get worse if you keep driving with them. Hope this helps!

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's exactly what I needed to hear since it matches my situation perfectly. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole cable repair job? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Just trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise and if it's really a long-term fix.

Hey again! Happy to share an update! Since getting my Eclipse Cross fixed last summer, it's been running like a dream, seriously, not a single issue with those symptoms coming back. The total bill came to 155€ for fixing those dodgy cable connections. The mechanic found that the Fuel pressure sensor wasn't working properly because of those corroded connections, but once they sorted that out, everything fell back into place. I've put on quite a few miles since then, and the car's performance has stayed top-notch. No more black smoke, starts up first time every morning, and my fuel economy is back to what it should be. Getting that Fuel pressure sensor working properly again made such a difference, it's crazy how one faulty connection can mess with so many things! Trust me, getting it fixed properly at the dealership was worth every penny. Way better than letting it get worse and potentially causing more expensive problems down the line. Plus, I'm actually saving money now that I'm not burning through fuel like before. Feel free to ask if you need any other details about the repair!

Thanks so much for all the details! I actually took your advice and went to the Mitsubishi dealership yesterday. You were spot on, it was mainly electrical issues with some corroded connections. My repair bill came to about 180€, a bit more than yours but still totally worth it. The mechanic was really thorough and showed me exactly what was wrong. They cleaned up all the connections and replaced a couple of worn-out cables. The fuel pressure sensor was indeed acting up because of those bad connections, just like in your case. Took it for a drive this morning and wow, what a difference! No more black smoke, engine starts right up, and the acceleration is smooth again. Even that nasty exhaust smell is gone. Feels like I got my car back! Really glad I asked here and got your help. Definitely saved me from stressing out more about it or ending up at another sketchy mechanic. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me make the right call!