Last updated: 2026-10-10

Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Reliability Compared

Slight reliability edge goes to the Mitsubishi Outlander over the Jeep Renegade. Owners file fewer complaints per vehicle sold. The Renegade is a bit cheaper to repair, though, and the Outlander's rare failures, such as a fire and airbags that did not deploy, are more severe.

How Do the Jeep Renegade and Mitsubishi Outlander Generations Compare?

Every Renegade year in this range belongs to one generation, so the years you are likely to see differ mainly by update. That first generation ran in the US from 2015 to 2023, with updates in 2019, 2022, and 2023. The 2018 model came before the first of those updates, and 2023 was the final year. The Outlander spans two generations here. The third generation ran from 2014 to 2024 and got a second facelift in 2019, so 2018 sits before that update. The fourth generation began with the 2022 model year, which is also one of the Outlander's weakest years. A facelift followed for 2024.

Verdict

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

A slight edge goes to the Outlander. Owners filed 13.1 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 20.4 for the Renegade, so problems turn up less often per car on the road. The margin is narrow. The Renegade costs a little less to repair each year, makes fewer shop visits, and has fewer recalls. The Outlander's trouble is less frequent but can be severe, including a parked-car fire and airbags that did not deploy in crashes. Its lead comes from how often things go wrong, not from a cleaner worst case.

Key Differences

  1. 1Jeep Renegade costs $21 less per year to repair
  2. 2Jeep Renegade has 9 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Mitsubishi Outlander has 7.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

4Jeep Renegade
—
2Mitsubishi Outlander
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricJeep RenegadeMitsubishi Outlander
Reliability Score74/10076/100
Years Tracked68
Total Recalls1524
Complaints per 10k Sold20.413.1
Annual Repair Cost$498/yr$519/yr
Repair Frequency0.2/yr0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk9%11%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2023 NHTSA
2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins2 (1 tied)3 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Renegade and Mitsubishi Outlander?

Drivability complaints dominate the Jeep side. Owners describe warning lights flickering together, the engine shutting off at idle, false automatic braking, oil burning with failed MultiAir actuators, rough or delayed shifts, and fuel pump failures that stall the car at highway speed. Mitsubishi complaints are fewer but more dramatic: a tailgate strut rod that flew off and injured an owner, a fire near the engine compartment while parked, and a loose, unstable rear end. The Renegade has crash-linked engine and fuel complaints, which the Outlander does not list. Outlander airbag reports involve failures to deploy in crashes, while most Renegade airbag reports concern recall parts not yet available.

Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander common problem areas comparison
ComponentJeep RenegadeMitsubishi Outlander
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5.5Average2.1Low
ENGINE3.8Average0.3Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2.8Low1.3Low
POWER TRAIN2.5Low0.6Very Low
STRUCTURE0.2Very Low2.6Low
AIR BAGS0.9Very Low1.1Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.9Very Low0.3Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.4Very Low0.4Very Low
STEERING0.4Very Low0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION—None0.5Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.1Very Low0.3Very Low
SEAT BELTS0.1Very Low0.2Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM0.3Very Low—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
SEATS—None0.2Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING—None0.2Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE0.1Very Low—None
TIRES0.1Very Low—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER0.1Very Low—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Jeep Renegade or Mitsubishi Outlander?

A gap of $21 a year favors the Renegade, which costs about $498 to repair annually against about $519 for the Outlander. Over five years that comes to about $105, which is small. The Renegade also makes fewer unscheduled shop visits, at 0.2 a year against 0.3. A repair is more likely to be major on the Outlander, at 11% against 9%. Cost favors the Renegade slightly on every measure.

How Does Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Compare by Year?

Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander year-by-year reliability scores
YearJeep RenegadeMitsubishi OutlanderEdge
202377/1002R / 20C77/1002R / 40CTie
202276/1002R / 24C62/1007R / 209CJeep Renegade
202175/1002R / 64C84/1000R / 0CMitsubishi Outlander
202075/1003R / 62C76/1003R / 30CMitsubishi Outlander
201975/1004R / 77C74/1005R / 29CJeep Renegade
201865/1002R / 440C71/1006R / 55CMitsubishi Outlander

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Jeep Renegade scored 77/100 and the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander scored 84/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Jeep Renegade vs the Mitsubishi Outlander?

Pick the Outlander if you want the lower complaint rate and more room, since it is a midsize SUV. Target 2021, one of its strongest years. Avoid 2022 and 2018, its weakest. If you buy one, check that the power tailgate struts and airbag warning lights are clean, because the worst reports involve those parts. Pick the Renegade if you want the smaller compact SUV with slightly lower repair bills and fewer unscheduled shop visits. Target 2022 or 2023, its strongest years, and avoid 2018 and 2021, its weakest. Before you buy, ask for proof that every open recall repair is done, since owners reported waiting on airbag parts. Test drive it cold and on the highway. Listen for rough shifts, and check the oil level, because oil loss is the main engine complaint.

Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Common Questions

Is the Jeep Renegade more reliable than the Mitsubishi Outlander?
No, the Outlander comes out slightly ahead. It has 13.1 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, compared with 20.4 for the Renegade. The Renegade is a little cheaper to repair and has fewer recalls, so the gap is narrow.
Which has more recalls, the Renegade or the Outlander?
The Outlander has more, with 24 recalls across 8 model years. The Renegade has 15 across 6 model years. Part of the difference is that the Outlander list covers more model years, so check any specific car's VIN for open recalls.
Which is cheaper to repair?
The Renegade, at about $498 a year against about $519 for the Outlander. That is roughly $105 less over five years. It also averages 0.2 unscheduled shop visits a year, compared with 0.3, and its repairs are less often major.
What are the most common Renegade problems?
Electrical faults lead, with 185 complaints. Owners describe warning lights flickering, the engine shutting off at idle, and false automatic braking. Engine oil loss and MultiAir actuator failures come next, followed by rough shifting and fuel pump stalls.
What is the most serious Outlander problem?
Owners reported a fire near the engine compartment in a parked, turned-off car. Other serious reports include airbags that failed to deploy in crashes and a power tailgate strut rod that broke loose and struck an owner. These are rare, but worth checking before you buy.

Decided between Jeep Renegade and Mitsubishi Outlander? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the Jeep Renegade 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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue