Black Smoke & Stalling: Eclipse Cross Hybrid SOS

I had similar symptoms with my 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV last month. After changing the fuel filter, I got error codes related to fuel pressure. Turned out the fuel pressure sensor wasn't properly reconnected, and there was air in the fuel lines. Took it to the dealer service center, they had to bleed the fuel system and recalibrate the fuel pressure sensor. Also found some contamination in the fuel injectors that needed cleaning. It wasn't a major repair, but definitely needed professional attention to prevent damage to the injection system. The black smoke and unstable engine you're describing sounds exactly like what I experienced. It's likely related to your fuel system, but better have it properly diagnosed. These hybrid systems are sensitive to fuel delivery issues. If you're in this area, I'd recommend Mike's Auto Service on Oak Street, they specialize in Mitsubishi hybrids and did great work on mine.

Thanks for sharing that, it sounds really similar to what I'm dealing with! I'll definitely check out Mike's Auto Service. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much the whole repair set you back? And has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other issues pop up?

Yeah, happy to share an update! After getting it fixed at Mike's, my Outlander PHEV has been running like a dream. The main issue was exactly what I suspected, the fuel injection pressure was off, but they sorted that right out. The whole thing only cost me 45 Euro for the error code reset after they changed the fuel filter. Talk about a relief to my wallet! Since then, it's been smooth sailing, no more black smoke, engine runs perfectly stable, and those annoying cut-outs are history. I've put about 2,000 km on it since the repair, and honestly, it's performing better than ever. The fuel economy's even improved a bit, which is a nice bonus. Mike's team really knows their stuff with these hybrids. They explained everything clearly and got it sorted without any unnecessary extras. Best decision I made was taking it there instead of trying to figure it out myself. Sometimes you just need the right experts, you know?

Just got back from Mike's Auto Service, and wow, what a difference from my last mechanic experience! You were totally right about them. Took my Eclipse Cross in this morning, and they diagnosed it straight away. Turned out it was exactly the same issue you had, fuel pressure problems and some gunked-up injectors. The whole thing cost me around 75 Euro because they had to do a bit more cleaning, but that's way less than I was expecting to pay. No hard sell, no mysterious extra charges, just honest work. The car's running perfectly now, no more black smoke or engine problems. Even my fuel efficiency has improved! Mike was super helpful, explained everything in normal terms (not that confusing mechanic lingo), and had me back on the road in just a few hours. Honestly, can't thank you enough for recommending them. It's such a relief to finally have this sorted, and to find a trustworthy mechanic in the area. You're a lifesaver!