Outlander Hybrid: Cold Start Woes & Battery Drama

I had a similar issue with my 2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV last winter. Battery sensor microprocessor was indeed the culprit, had it diagnosed at my local Mitsubishi dealer. The starting problems were identical to what you're describing: slow cranking, occasional no-starts, especially during cold mornings. The fix involved replacing the battery management control unit, as the sensor was integrated into it. It wasn't just a basic battery issue, the faulty sensor was sending incorrect readings to the car's computer, messing with the hybrid system's power management. Pretty serious if left unfixed, as it could potentially leave you stranded. Got it sorted at the dealer since they had experience with hybrid systems. Took them about half a day to diagnose and replace. Haven't had any starting issues since then, running perfectly for 8 months now. I'd recommend getting it checked at a Mitsubishi dealer if possible, these hybrid system issues need specialized diagnostic tools and expertise.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Eclipse! That's really helpful to know it was the battery management unit in your case. If you don't mind me asking, how much did you end up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other quirks with the electrical system? I'm trying to get a sense of what I might be in for with my Outlander.

Hey again! Yeah, I can tell you exactly what it cost me, I paid 315€ for the battery sensor microprocessor replacement at the dealer. And I'm really glad you asked about how it's been running, honestly, it's been absolutely perfect since the fix! Haven't had a single starting issue or any other electrical gremlins pop up. It's like having a completely different car, starts up instantly every time now, even on those freezing winter mornings. The battery sensor malfunction was definitely the root cause of all those annoying starting problems I was having, and once they sorted that out, everything fell into place. You know how cars can be, sometimes it's just one component throwing everything else off! If your Outlander's symptoms are similar to what I experienced with my Eclipse, I'd say you're probably looking at the same issue. The dealer mechanics really knew their stuff with these hybrid systems, so I'd say it's worth getting it checked out. Better to fix it now than end up stranded somewhere, right?

Thanks so much for all the details! I actually went ahead and took your advice, got my Outlander checked at the local Mitsubishi dealer yesterday. You were spot on, it was indeed the battery management unit causing all the trouble. Cost me a bit more than yours though, around 380€, but honestly, it was worth every penny. The whole experience was way better than my previous mechanic visits. The dealer's team really knew what they were doing with the hybrid system. They had it fixed in about 4 hours, and I could immediately tell the difference when I started the car. It fires up instantly now, even this morning when it was pretty chilly outside. Really glad I asked here and got your input, saved me from wasting time with generic mechanics who might not have spotted the real issue. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction! Feels great to have a properly working car again.