Last updated: 2026-07-26
Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Reliability Compared
Dodge Journey
Mitsubishi Outlander
Choosing between the Dodge Journey and the Mitsubishi Outlander? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Mitsubishi Outlander currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Dodge Journey and Mitsubishi Outlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Mitsubishi Outlander is more reliable than the Dodge Journey, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.
The Dodge Journey edges out the Mitsubishi Outlander in terms of reliability, with a slightly higher average reliability score of 78 compared to the Outlander's 76. Despite having a higher owner complaint rate at 16.8 per 10,000 sold, the Journey has experienced significantly fewer recalls, totaling 8 across 5 years, compared to the Outlander's 24 over 8 years. Both models have comparable estimated annual repair costs, with the Journey at $562 and the Outlander at $519. However, the Outlander's lower complaint rate and slightly lower repair costs may appeal to those prioritizing owner satisfaction metrics.
Key Differences
- 1Mitsubishi Outlander costs $43 less per year to repair
- 2Dodge Journey has 16 fewer total recalls
- 3Mitsubishi Outlander has 4.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Dodge Journey | Mitsubishi Outlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 8 | 24 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 18 | 13.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $562/yr | $519/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 11% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2020 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Journey and Mitsubishi Outlander?
The Mitsubishi Outlander exhibits a significant issue with its air bags, with 32 complaints and 17 being crash-linked, indicating a serious safety concern. In contrast, the Dodge Journey has a higher frequency of electrical system complaints at 97, although only one is crash-linked, suggesting more frequent but less severe issues in this area. Both models share concerns with the power train and service brakes, but the Journey also shows notable problems in the exterior lighting and back over prevention categories. Overall, while the Outlander faces critical safety concerns with its air bags, the Journey contends with widespread electrical system issues.
| Component | Dodge Journey | Mitsubishi Outlander |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4.6Average | 2.1Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2.9Low | 1.3Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 2.6Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.8Very Low | 1.1Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.2Low | 0.6Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.9Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 1.2Low | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1.1Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.8Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.8Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Journey or Mitsubishi Outlander?
How Does Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Dodge Journey | Mitsubishi Outlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 77/1001R / 61C | 76/1003R / 30C | Dodge Journey |
| 2019 | 78/1001R / 92C | 74/1005R / 29C | Dodge Journey |
| 2018 | 68/1006R / 223C | 71/1006R / 55C | Mitsubishi Outlander |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2019 Dodge Journey scored 78/100 and the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Dodge Journey vs the Mitsubishi Outlander?
Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Common Questions
- Is the Dodge Journey more reliable than the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- Based on our data, the Mitsubishi Outlander is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Dodge Journey or the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- The Mitsubishi Outlander has more recalls (24) compared to the Dodge Journey (8). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Journey or the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Mitsubishi Outlander has a lower complaint rate at 13.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 18 for the Dodge Journey. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Journey or the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mitsubishi Outlander is cheaper to maintain at $519/year versus $562/year for the Dodge Journey.
- Is the Dodge Journey or Mitsubishi Outlander safer?
- Both the Dodge Journey and Mitsubishi Outlander received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 4/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Dodge Journey comparisons
More Mitsubishi Outlander comparisons
Decided between Dodge Journey and Mitsubishi Outlander? Run a VIN check 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
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.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
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.
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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue