Is the Mitsubishi Outlander more reliable than the Dodge Journey?

Slightly, yes. The Outlander has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 cars sold, 13.1 against 18, and a lower estimated annual repair cost. Both rate good and have the same shop-visit rate, so the lead is small and should not drive the decision alone.

Which has more recalls, the Outlander or the Journey?

The Outlander. Federal recall records show 24 recalls across its 8 model years, while the Journey has 8 across 3 model years. The Outlander covers more years, so its total is naturally larger. Check any specific car's recall history by VIN.

Which costs less to repair?

The Outlander, at an estimated $519 a year against $562 for the Journey. That is about $215 less over five years. Shop visits are equal at 0.3 a year, and major repairs are slightly less likely on the Outlander at 11% versus 12%.

Does the Dodge Journey have stalling problems?

Yes, it is the most serious pattern in its electrical complaints. Owners describe engines shutting off at speed, power steering dropping out, and stalling soon after battery or alternator warning lights flashed. Electrical is its largest problem area, with one crash-linked complaint.

What is the main safety concern on the Mitsubishi Outlander?

Airbags. Owners reported airbags that did not deploy in serious crashes, including a 30 mph T-bone collision, and one steering wheel airbag that deployed partly flat. Airbags are a heavily crash-linked area for the Outlander. A power tailgate strut rod that flew off is also on record.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Reliability Compared

Dodge Journey

Good

More Reliable

Mitsubishi Outlander

Good

Slightly ahead on reliability, the Mitsubishi Outlander beats the Dodge Journey on complaints per car sold and yearly repair cost. Both rate good, but the Outlander carries more recalls and a serious airbag complaint pattern that shoppers should check before buying.

How Do the Dodge Journey and Mitsubishi Outlander Generations Compare?

Two generations matter for the Outlander years you are likely to consider. Model years 2018 to 2021 belong to the third generation, which ran 2014 to 2024 and received a second facelift for 2019. The fourth generation covered 2022 and 2023, with a facelift following for 2024. The Journey is simpler. Its single generation ran from 2009 to 2020, so model years 2018 to 2020 were the final years of an old design, and no redesigned Journey exists to move up to.

Verdict

The Mitsubishi Outlander is more reliable than the Dodge Journey, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.

A slight edge goes to the Outlander. Owners filed fewer complaints per 10,000 cars sold, 13.1 against 18, and independent repair-cost data puts its yearly bills lower. A major repair is also a little less likely. The gap is small. Shop-visit frequency is the same, and the Outlander has far more recalls, 24 against 8, across a longer run of model years. Complaint rate and repair cost decide it, not a spotless record.

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

1Dodge Journey

—

4Mitsubishi Outlander

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
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?

Stalling and repeat annoyances dominate the Dodge's complaints. Engines shut off at speed, power steering drops out, and the transmission slams back into gear. Backup camera, headlight, and brake reports often involve recall parts that were backordered. The Outlander's complaints are heavier in danger: a power tailgate strut rod that flies off with a bang, an engine-bay fire in a parked car, and airbags that did not deploy in serious crashes. Airbags are a crash-linked area for the Outlander with no match on the Journey's list. The Journey's crash links are single cases in electrical, camera, and lighting.

Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander common problem areas comparison
Component	Dodge Journey	Mitsubishi Outlander
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	4.6Average	2.1Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.8Low	1.3Low
STRUCTURE	0.3Very Low	2.6Low
AIR BAGS	0.8Very Low	1.1Low
POWER TRAIN	1.2Low	0.6Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	1.2Low	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1.1Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.9Very Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE	0.8Very Low	0.3Very Low
STEERING	0.8Very Low	0.2Very Low
SEATS	0.7Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.5Very Low	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.5Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.3Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.3Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.2Very 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?

Repairs run cheaper on the Outlander, at an estimated $519 a year against $562 for the Journey. That is $43 a year, or about $215 over five years. Both average 0.3 unscheduled shop visits a year, so neither sends you to the shop more often. A repair is slightly more likely to be major on the Journey at 12%, compared with 11% for the Outlander. The difference is real but modest.

How Does Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander year-by-year reliability scores
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 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Dodge Journey vs the Mitsubishi Outlander?

Choose the Outlander if you want lower yearly repair costs and fewer complaints per car sold. Target 2021, its strongest year, and avoid 2022 and 2018, its weakest. Make sure the "Service Air Bags" light stays off, test the power tailgate, and ask for proof that recall work was done. The airbag and tailgate strut reports are the reason to be picky. Choose the Journey if you prefer a model with fewer recalls and can live with electrical quirks. Target 2019, one of its strongest years. Avoid 2018, one of its weakest, and look closely at 2020, which appears on both its strongest and weakest lists. On any test drive, watch for stalling, jerky shifts, and fogged headlights. Confirm the backup camera and headlight recalls were completed, since owners reported waiting on parts.

Dodge Journey vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Common Questions

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander more reliable than the Dodge Journey?: Slightly, yes. The Outlander has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 cars sold, 13.1 against 18, and a lower estimated annual repair cost. Both rate good and have the same shop-visit rate, so the lead is small and should not drive the decision alone.
Which has more recalls, the Outlander or the Journey?: The Outlander. Federal recall records show 24 recalls across its 8 model years, while the Journey has 8 across 3 model years. The Outlander covers more years, so its total is naturally larger. Check any specific car's recall history by VIN.
Which costs less to repair?: The Outlander, at an estimated $519 a year against $562 for the Journey. That is about $215 less over five years. Shop visits are equal at 0.3 a year, and major repairs are slightly less likely on the Outlander at 11% versus 12%.
Does the Dodge Journey have stalling problems?: Yes, it is the most serious pattern in its electrical complaints. Owners describe engines shutting off at speed, power steering dropping out, and stalling soon after battery or alternator warning lights flashed. Electrical is its largest problem area, with one crash-linked complaint.
What is the main safety concern on the Mitsubishi Outlander?: Airbags. Owners reported airbags that did not deploy in serious crashes, including a 30 mph T-bone collision, and one steering wheel airbag that deployed partly flat. Airbags are a heavily crash-linked area for the Outlander. A power tailgate strut rod that flew off is also on record.

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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 score the Dodge Journey and Mitsubishi Outlander

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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