Which Years Of Used Mitsubishi i-MiEVs Are Most Reliable?
Mitsubishi i-MiEV by LSDSL - CC-BY-SA-4.0
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which stands for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle, was first introduced in Japan in 2009, making it one of the first electric cars available to the public. It was later launched in Europe in 2010 and North America in 2012. The i-MiEV was developed based on the “i” minicar, a popular gasoline-powered vehicle in Japan.
This budget-friendly EV is powered by a 49 kW (66 horsepower) electric motor and a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. At approximately 80 mph, it’s not exactly a speedster, but it can travel up to 62 miles on a single charge, according to the EPA. The car’s compact size makes it ideal for city driving, while its hatchback design offers practicality with a surprising amount of cargo space for its size.
Reliability-wise, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV holds up well. One of the key advantages of electric vehicles is their simplicity compared to their gasoline counterparts. With fewer moving parts, there’s less that can go wrong, which can lead to lower maintenance costs over time.
With that said, not all years are created equal. Today, we walk you through this affordable EV lineup to determine the most reliable Mitsubishi i-MiEV year and which ones to avoid altogether.
2012-2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Buying a used i-MiEV is a great way to enter the world of electric vehicles without the high price tag often associated with new EVs. Its historical significance, practical design, and low running costs make it a compelling option in the used car market. Unfortunately, it was discontinued with its 2017 model, so you only have five model years to choose from.
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Avoid: 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
At CoPilot, we generally recommend that used car buyers skip the first production year of any vehicle or generation. First production units tend to be the least tested models, and many issues typically show up after consumers drive the cars in real-world conditions – this applies to the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
For starters, the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV has been recalled multiple times by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The first recall was in 2012 due to potential airbag deployment issues. Then, it was followed by two recalls in 2013 and 2014 concerning a brake vacuum pump failure. In total, the 2012 i-MiEV has been recalled six times by the NHTSA.
Aside from the reliability issues, Consumer Reports weren’t so thrilled with the 2012 i-MiEV. According to CR, one of the main issues was related to the brake assist vacuum pump. Water could penetrate this pump, leading to corrosion and eventual failure of the brake vacuum pump. CR calls it a “glorified golf car” for its underwhelming performance.
Avoid: 2013 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
The 2013 model is far from the most reliable Mitsubishi i-MiEV year – in fact, it’s another model to avoid. Along with other issues and drawbacks, the 2013 Mitsubishi i-MiEV will be more than a decade old now, so your main concern here is the electric battery which may have deteriorated capacity by now.
The 2013 i-MiEV has a relatively short range compared to newer EVs. With an EPA-rated range of just 62 miles, it may not be suitable for those who need to travel long distances regularly or do not have easy access to charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, the 2012 i-MiEV has had multiple recalls, including brake vacuum pump failure issues.
Despite its limitations and issues, it’s still one of the most affordable EVs around, especially if you can find a unit with good battery health.
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Avoid: 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Unfortunately, documentation regarding the reliability of the 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is almost nonexistent. Sites like CarComplaints.com have no recorded complaints for the 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV. While this might initially seem like a positive, it could also indicate that this model year was not very popular.
In addition, on websites like Edmunds and Reddit, the reviews and feedback for the 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV are somewhat mixed. Some users appreciate the i-MiEV’s affordability and maneuverability in city traffic, while others criticize its short range, spartan interior, and long charging times.
While the 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV may be an affordable way to enter the world of EVs, the EV market is now different, with tons more options for your money.
Buy: 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
At this point, if you really want to buy a Mitsubishi i-MiEV, it’s probably for collection purposes only. This is because there are so many better EV options in the market, so there’s no reason to go for the wildly impractical i-MiEV.
With that said, the 2016 model is a good choice for the most reliable Mitsubishi i-MiEV year. Like the previous years, there’s little to no information about the reliability of the 2016 i-MiEV. This suggests that owners have experienced fewer significant issues, or it’s just not flying off the shelves (probably the latter).
As such, there are some things to love about this budget-friendly EV. Reviews on Edmunds and Reddit highlight the i-MiEV’s crisp response and easy maneuverability in city traffic. For those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and don’t mind the sluggish performance, buying a used 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV can be a good investment.
While the car’s interior and features are quite basic compared to newer models, they serve their purpose. As one Reddit user did, they can be upgraded by installing an aftermarket Android head unit and reverse camera.
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Buy: 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Last but not least, the swan song of the curious i-MiEV is perhaps the most reliable Mitsubishi i-MiEV year – on the merit that it’s the newest unit before its discontinuation. Apart from the lack of complaints and user feedback, this model year is certainly one of the better-reviewed versions of the i-MiEV.
The 2017 i-MiEV received a rating of 4.1 out of 5 from Cars.com, but it’s only a single user review. The review highlights the surprising interior space, flat cargo floor with folded seats, standard heated front seats, and standard quick-charge port.
Overall, the 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is far from a perfect EV and has many drawbacks. However, if you’re dead set on buying this EV model, the 2017 year is a great bet.
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