MG4 Problems: The Complete Real-World Guide to Common Issues, Fixes, and Long-Term Reliability

Understanding the MG4’s Growing Popularity—and Why Its Problems Matter

The MG4 has shaken up the electric-vehicle world like few cars ever have. It’s affordable. It’s fun. It’s surprisingly refined for the price. But as more of us put real-world miles on this EV, we start hearing familiar whispers: charging glitches, infotainment bugs, interior squeaks, battery worries, and more.

We’re here to unpack it all—calmly, honestly, and with the kind of straight-talk we all wish car reviews offered. Think of this guide as a coffee-table conversation with someone who’s owned and studied the MG4 inside and out.

Why We’re Talking About MG4 Problems

Let’s face it: no car is perfect. Not even the budget-friendly EV that’s rewriting the rulebook. The MG4’s appeal is massive, and with that comes a tidal wave of feedback from owners across the UK, Europe, Australia, and beyond.

We’re gathering that hive-mind knowledge, organising it, and explaining which problems actually matter—and which ones are more like minor hiccups on a first-date.

The Most Common MG4 Problems (Summarised)

Before we dive deep, here’s a quick snapshot:

• Charging not initiating or dropping mid-session
• Infotainment freezing, crashing, and lag
• Random warning lights (ABS, TPMS, EPS, HV system)
• Battery range drop in cold weather
• Squeaks, rattles, wind noise at higher speeds
• Lane-keep assist behaving aggressively
• Key fob not detected
• Boot not closing properly
• MG Pilot false alerts
• Software update failures

Now, let’s explore each one with the detail you’re looking for.

Common MG4 Charging Problems

The charging system is the MG4’s beating heart—and yes, owners have reported several issues.

Charging Starts and Then Stops

Sometimes the MG4 begins charging, only for the session to stop after a few minutes. Annoying? Absolutely.
Likely causes include:

• Poor charger compatibility
• DC rapid-charging handshake errors
• Temperature protection limiting charging
• Faulty public charging cables

AC Home Charging Not Starting

You plug in. You wait. Nothing.
Common reasons:

• Home wallbox not recognising the vehicle
• A faulty Type 2 cable
• Charging schedule accidentally enabled
• Software miscommunication

Rapid Charging Speeds Being Slower Than Advertised

MG claims impressive charging speeds—but real life is messy. Several owners report inconsistent rapid-charging curves.
This usually comes down to:

• Cold battery
• Hot battery
• High-use chargers
• Older charging networks with limited power output

MG4 Battery-Related Issues

The MG4’s battery is robust, but several themes repeatedly appear in owner forums and reports.

Declining Range in Cold Weather

This isn’t unique to MG—it’s a universal EV quirk.
However, MG4 owners particularly notice:

• Reduced predicted range
• Slower charging in winter
• Regeneration restricted until battery warms up

High-Voltage System Errors

A few owners have encountered HV warning lights.
Triggers may be:

• Faulty sensors
• Loose connectors
• HV junction box communication errors

Preconditioning Inconsistencies

MG4 preconditioning sometimes doesn’t activate as expected, leaving the cabin cold and the battery unprepared for fast charging.

Infotainment System Problems

If the MG4 has a “personality,” it’s definitely living inside its infotainment screen.

Freezing and Unresponsive Screen

Some MG4s have infotainment systems that freeze mid-drive—especially when switching between navigation, energy info, and MG Pilot displays.

Slow Boot Times

On cold mornings, the system can be as groggy as we are—leading to delayed camera activation or late hand-off to CarPlay.

Apple CarPlay / Android Auto Disconnections

This is one of the biggest frustrations among owners.
Common triggered scenarios:

• Using certain USB cables
• Multitasking between navigation and audio
• Software-version mismatch

Rear Camera Lag

The reversing camera sometimes displays delayed frames—enough to make parking feel like playing a video game on dial-up internet.

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Interior and Build-Quality Problems

MG has improved their build quality massively, but the MG4 still isn’t immune to cost-cutting quirks.

Rattles and Squeaks

Frequent sources include:

• Door cards
• Dashboard edges
• Rear parcel shelf
• Plastic trim on centre console

Wind Noise at Motorway Speeds

Some MG4 owners report wind noise near:

• A-pillars
• Door seals
• Wing mirrors

Seat Comfort Issues

A handful of drivers find the seats too firm for long journeys, with lumbar support lacking on earlier trims.

Electronics and Warning Light Problems

This is where the MG4 can sometimes feel a bit dramatic.

TPMS Light Coming On Randomly

Often caused by:

• Sensor communication drops
• Temperature changes
• Faulty valves

ABS / Traction Control Warnings

These usually clear after restart—and are often caused by:

• Wheel-speed sensor glitches
• Software misreads

EPS (Power Steering) Warnings

A few MG4 owners have experienced occasional steering-assist messages, usually disappearing quickly.

MG Pilot Driver-Assist Problems

MG Pilot is ambitious, but sometimes overly enthusiastic.

Lane Keep Assist "Pulling" the Wheel

Drivers report LKA tugging the car aggressively when:

• Road markings are unclear
• Sharp bends confuse the system
• Weather affects lane visibility

Forward Collision Alerts Triggering Early

Sometimes alerts trigger even when nothing dramatic is happening.
This is mostly a calibration sensitivity issue.

Exterior Problems

Small but worth noting.

Boot Not Closing Properly

Reported on early builds—usually fixed by adjusting latch alignment.

Headlight Condensation

A handful of MG4 owners note mild condensation inside headlight units after rain.

Suspension & Handling Problems

The MG4 is surprisingly sporty—but its suspension isn’t perfect.

Clunking Over Ramps

Some owners hear clunks from:

• Front strut mounts
• Anti-roll bar links

Tyre Wear Faster Than Expected

This usually affects the MG4 XPower or owners running aggressive acceleration. EV torque is no joke.

Software Update Issues

The MG4 relies heavily on software—so updates are a big deal.

OTA Updates Failing to Install

Sometimes updates fail mid-process.
Reasons include:

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• Low battery
• Weak WiFi
• Corrupted update file

Missing Features After Update

A few users report temporarily missing camera overlays or audio presets after major updates.

Charging Port & Cable Problems

The MG4’s charging port isn’t immune to gremlins.

Port Not Locking or Unlocking

This can be caused by:

• Debris inside lock mechanism
• Software bugs
• Cold weather stiffening components

Cable Getting Stuck

Sometimes the MG4 refuses to release the charger—usually fixed with a reboot or secondary unlock command.

Brake System Problems

Though rare, some owners mention unusual brake feel.

Spongy Pedal

Regenerative braking blending can cause inconsistent pedal feel.

Brake Noise

Especially at low speeds, the MG4’s brakes may squeal or grind lightly—common on EVs due to lack of heat cycling.

HVAC and Climate Control Problems

If your MG4’s cabin feels like a sauna one minute and an ice cave the next, you’re not alone.

Heating Takes Too Long

Some owners say it takes longer than expected for the cabin to warm, especially in ECO mode.

AC Not Blowing Cold

Usually related to low refrigerant or HVAC flap motor faults.

Real-World Reliability: What Long-Term Owners Say

Overall, the MG4 performs better than many expected for its price.
The EV drivetrain itself—motor, battery, inverter—has excellent reliability so far.
Most issues are:

• Software-related
• Sensor-related
• Minor build quirks

In short: nothing catastrophic, but definitely some growing pains.

How to Prevent Many MG4 Problems

Key preventative checks:

• Keep software up to date
• Inspect door seals regularly
• Use high-quality charging cables
• Avoid rapid charging repeatedly from low SOC
• Keep tyres properly inflated
• Clean the charging port occasionally

When to Contact MG Assistance

Reach out if you experience:

• HV system warnings
• Complete charging failure
• Major infotainment freezing
• Recurrent braking alerts

MG’s 7-year warranty is genuinely one of the MG4’s biggest strengths—use it.

Closing Thoughts

The MG4 is bold, modern, affordable, and occasionally quirky. It’s a fantastic car with some small but noticeable growing pains. If you understand its flaws and maintain it properly, it becomes one of the best-value EVs on the road. We’re rooting for MG, and with each software update and facelift, the MG4 continues to evolve into an even stronger competitor in the electric world.

FAQs

1. Are MG4 problems common?

Most issues are minor and software-related, and MG continues to patch them through updates.

2. Does the MG4 suffer from battery failures?

No widespread battery failures have been reported—range fluctuations are mostly weather-related.

3. Why does my MG4’s infotainment freeze?

This is usually tied to software. Rebooting or updating often resolves it.

4. How long is the MG4 warranty?

MG offers a strong 7-year/80,000-mile warranty (market dependent).

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5. Should I be concerned about MG Pilot issues?

Not usually—most are due to misread road markings or sensitivity levels.

If you want to know other articles similar to MG4 Problems: The Complete Real-World Guide to Common Issues, Fixes, and Long-Term Reliability you can visit the category Common Problems.