Last updated: 2026-07-26

Jeep vs Mitsubishi: Which Make Is More Reliable?

Comparing Jeep 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 67/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.

Is Jeep More Reliable Than Mitsubishi?

MetricJeepMitsubishi
Avg Reliability Score67/10076/100
Models Tracked71
Avg Recalls per Model5424
Avg Complaints per Model2336398
Avg Annual Repair Cost$615/yr$519/yr

Jeep Models

7 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Mitsubishi Models

1 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Jeep vs Mitsubishi: The Verdict

The numbers favor Mitsubishi here, but Jeep isn't far behind. We scored 8 models between the two makes: Jeep at 67/100 and Mitsubishi at 76/100, based on recalls, complaint severity, repair costs, and issue diversity.

On the cost front, Mitsubishi is cheaper to maintain at $519/year versus $615/year. For buyers watching long-term costs, Mitsubishi's lower maintenance bill is a real differentiator.

Where Jeep and Mitsubishi Differ Most

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

ComponentWeightJeepMitsubishi
Complaint Severity

Owner complaints weighted by component severity

35%
59/100Mixed
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%
68/100Good
80/100Excellent
Issue Diversity

How many different systems have reported problems

15%
80/100Excellent
83/100Excellent

Mitsubishi's advantage in recall impact (+12 points) is the main driver of the overall score difference between these makes.

Jeep vs Mitsubishi: Strengths and Weaknesses

Jeep

Strengths

  • Above-average reliability (67/100 average)
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reasonable maintenance costs ($615/year avg)
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years
  • 6 of 7 models rated Good or Excellent
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • 210 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: Jeep or Mitsubishi?

Based on independent repair cost data, Mitsubishi is cheaper to maintain at an average of $519/year compared to $615/year for Jeep. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.

Jeep Repair Cost Range

$498 – $784/yr

Average: $615/yr

Jeep vs Mitsubishi Reliability by Vehicle Type

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

CategoryJeepMitsubishiWinner
SUVs(6 vs 1 models)69/10076/100Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.

Common Problems: Jeep vs Mitsubishi

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

ComponentJeepMitsubishi
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28%4,24120%63
STEERING21%3,2065%16
POWER TRAIN18%2,6666%18
UNKNOWN OR OTHER10%1,45112%39
ENGINE8%1,2662%8
SERVICE BRAKES4%5785%15
SUSPENSION3%4534%14
AIR BAGS2%26710%32
STRUCTURE0%7224%78

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

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

Across all tracked models, Jeep owners reported 536 crash-related, 210 fire-related, and 355 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.

Jeep

536

Crash reports

210

Fire reports

355

Injury reports

Mitsubishi

33

Crash reports

1

Fire reports

32

Injury reports

Every Jeep and Mitsubishi Model Ranked

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

Jeep vs Mitsubishi Reliability Trend by Year

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

Jeep's reliability is improving — recent model years average 74/100, up from earlier years. Mitsubishi's reliability is improving — recent model years average 81/100.

Interestingly, both Jeep and Mitsubishi show improving reliability trends recently.

Model YearJeepMitsubishiEdge
202673/100
202574/100(6)82/100(1)Mitsubishi
202466/100(6)79/100(1)Mitsubishi
202365/100(7)77/100(1)Mitsubishi
202262/100(6)62/100(1)Tie
202165/100(6)84/100(1)Mitsubishi
202068/100(6)76/100(1)Mitsubishi
201968/100(5)74/100(1)Mitsubishi
201862/100(5)71/100(1)Mitsubishi

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

Jeep vs Mitsubishi: Head-to-Head Model Matchups

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

The Bottom Line: Jeep 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 Mitsubishi Outlander leads both lineups with a score of 76/100.

Budget-conscious buyers should note that Mitsubishi costs less to maintain — $519/year vs $615/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.

Jeep vs Mitsubishi: Common Questions

Is Jeep more reliable than Mitsubishi?
Based on our data, Mitsubishi is more reliable overall with an average reliability score of 76/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both makes are reasonable choices.
Which is cheaper to maintain, Jeep or Mitsubishi?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, Mitsubishi is cheaper to maintain at an average of $519/year compared to $615/year for Jeep.
Which make has more recalls, Jeep or Mitsubishi?
On a per-model average, Jeep has more recalls (~54 per model) compared to Mitsubishi (~24 per model). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — many are minor or preventative.
What are the most reliable models from Jeep and Mitsubishi?
The most reliable Jeep model is the Compass (avg score: 75/100), while the most reliable Mitsubishi model is the Outlander (avg score: 76/100).
What are the most common problems with Jeep and Mitsubishi vehicles?
The most frequently reported issue for Jeep 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 Jeep and Mitsubishi models does Auto Reliability Index track?
We track 7 Jeep 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, Jeep or Mitsubishi?
On a per-model average, Mitsubishi has fewer owner complaints (~398 per model) compared to Jeep (~2336 per model). Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Are Jeep and Mitsubishi getting more or less reliable?
Based on recent model year data, Jeep reliability is improving 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, Jeep 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, Jeep or Mitsubishi?
Mitsubishi has fewer owner-reported crashes, fires, and injuries in our database. Jeep has 536 crash reports, 210 fire reports, and 355 injury reports. Mitsubishi has 33 crash, 1 fire, and 32 injury reports. Note that complaint volume correlates with sales volume.

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

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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.