Last updated: 2026-07-26

Dodge vs Mitsubishi: Reliability Compared

Comparing Dodge and Mitsubishi on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.

Mitsubishi currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.

Is Dodge More Reliable Than Mitsubishi?

MetricDodgeMitsubishi
Avg Reliability Score73/10076/100
Models Tracked61
Avg Recalls per Model1624
Avg Complaints per Model369398
Avg Annual Repair Cost$642/yr$519/yr

Dodge Models

6 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Mitsubishi Models

1 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Dodge vs Mitsubishi: The Verdict

Mitsubishi holds a modest reliability advantage over Dodge — enough to notice, not enough to be the only factor. The overall picture: Dodge scores 73/100 across 6 models, while Mitsubishi comes in at 76/100 across 1 models — all data-driven, no bias.

On the cost front, Mitsubishi is cheaper to maintain at $519/year versus $642/year. Over 5 years, that's roughly $615 in savings. The repair cost gap might seem small year-to-year, but over a typical 5-year ownership period it compounds into meaningful savings for Mitsubishi owners.

Where Dodge and Mitsubishi Differ Most

Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:

ComponentWeightDodgeMitsubishi
Complaint Severity

Owner complaints weighted by component severity

35%
67/100Good
66/100Good
Repair Costs

Annual maintenance and repair expenses

30%
69/100Good
80/100Excellent
Recall Impact

Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside)

20%
78/100Good
80/100Excellent
Issue Diversity

How many different systems have reported problems

15%
81/100Excellent
83/100Excellent

Dig into the components and repair costs stands out — Mitsubishi outscores by 11 points there, which carries significant weight in the final number.

Dodge vs Mitsubishi: Strengths and Weaknesses

Dodge

Strengths

  • Strong overall reliability (73/100 average)
  • Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reasonable maintenance costs ($642/year avg)
  • 5 of 6 models rated Good or Excellent
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • 22 fire-related complaints across lineup
  • Above-average repair severity when issues occur

Mitsubishi

Strengths

  • Strong overall reliability (76/100 average)
  • Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reasonable maintenance costs ($519/year avg)
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • Above-average repair severity when issues occur

Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge or Mitsubishi?

Based on independent repair cost data, Mitsubishi is cheaper to maintain at an average of $519/year compared to $642/year for Dodge. That's a difference of $123/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.

Dodge Repair Cost Range

$562 – $675/yr

Average: $642/yr

Dodge vs Mitsubishi Reliability by Vehicle Type

How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:

CategoryDodgeMitsubishiWinner
SUVs(3 vs 1 models)69/10076/100Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.

Common Problems: Dodge vs Mitsubishi

Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:

ComponentDodgeMitsubishi
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28%52620%63
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13%23312%39
POWER TRAIN10%1926%18
EXTERIOR LIGHTING10%1942%5
AIR BAGS9%16610%32
STRUCTURE6%10424%78
ENGINE6%1162%8
SERVICE BRAKES5%855%15
STEERING4%665%16
SUSPENSION1%184%14

Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.

Dodge vs Mitsubishi Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries

Across all tracked models, Dodge owners reported 97 crash-related, 22 fire-related, and 98 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Mitsubishi owners reported 33 crash-related, 1 fire-related, and 32 injury-related complaints. Mitsubishi has fewer severe incident reports overall. These counts reflect owner-reported incidents and don't establish causation — but they're a useful signal for comparing safety profiles.

Dodge

97

Crash reports

22

Fire reports

98

Injury reports

Mitsubishi

33

Crash reports

1

Fire reports

32

Injury reports

Every Dodge and Mitsubishi Model Ranked

All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.

Dodge vs Mitsubishi Reliability Trend by Year

Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:

Dodge's reliability has been stable across the years we track. Mitsubishi's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100.

Model YearDodgeMitsubishiEdge
202682/100
202571/100(3)82/100(1)Mitsubishi
202468/100(3)79/100(1)Mitsubishi
202371/100(4)77/100(1)Mitsubishi
202273/100(3)62/100(1)Dodge
202172/100(3)84/100(1)Mitsubishi
202077/100(5)76/100(1)Dodge
201973/100(5)74/100(1)Mitsubishi
201870/100(5)71/100(1)Mitsubishi

Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.

Dodge vs Mitsubishi: Head-to-Head Model Matchups

These are direct competitor models between Dodge and Mitsubishi. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:

The Bottom Line: Dodge or Mitsubishi?

The data favors Mitsubishi, but remember: the best model from the "losing" make often beats the worst model from the "winning" one.

If you want the single most reliable option: the Dodge Grand-Caravan leads both lineups with a score of 78/100.

Budget-conscious buyers should note that Mitsubishi costs less to maintain — $519/year vs $642/year.

All scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data combined with independent repair cost databases. Check individual model pages for year-specific reliability data before making a final decision.

Dodge vs Mitsubishi: Common Questions

Is Dodge more reliable than Mitsubishi?
Based on our data, Mitsubishi is more reliable overall with an average reliability score of 76/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both makes are reasonable choices.
Which is cheaper to maintain, Dodge or Mitsubishi?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, Mitsubishi is cheaper to maintain at an average of $519/year compared to $642/year for Dodge.
Which make has more recalls, Dodge or Mitsubishi?
On a per-model average, Mitsubishi has more recalls (~24 per model) compared to Dodge (~16 per model). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — many are minor or preventative.
What are the most reliable models from Dodge and Mitsubishi?
The most reliable Dodge model is the Grand-Caravan (avg score: 78/100), while the most reliable Mitsubishi model is the Outlander (avg score: 76/100).
What are the most common problems with Dodge and Mitsubishi vehicles?
The most frequently reported issue for Dodge is electrical system (28% of complaints), while for Mitsubishi it's structure (24% of complaints). These are based on NHTSA owner complaint data across all tracked models.
How many Dodge and Mitsubishi models does Auto Reliability Index track?
We track 6 Dodge models across 9 model years and 1 Mitsubishi models across 8 model years. Scores are based on NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair cost data.
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Dodge or Mitsubishi?
On a per-model average, Dodge has fewer owner complaints (~369 per model) compared to Mitsubishi (~398 per model). Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Are Dodge and Mitsubishi getting more or less reliable?
Based on recent model year data, Dodge reliability is stable while Mitsubishi reliability is improving. We compare average scores across the most recent 3 model years to determine the trend direction.
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Dodge or Mitsubishi?
For first-time buyers prioritizing reliability, Mitsubishi has a slight edge with its higher average score. However, specific model choice matters more than make — check individual model pages for the best options in your budget and vehicle type.
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Dodge or Mitsubishi?
Mitsubishi has fewer owner-reported crashes, fires, and injuries in our database. Dodge has 97 crash reports, 22 fire reports, and 98 injury reports. Mitsubishi has 33 crash, 1 fire, and 32 injury reports. Note that complaint volume correlates with sales volume.

Comparing Dodge vs Mitsubishi? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

Related Make Comparisons

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.