Last updated: 2026-07-26
Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Mitsubishi Outlander
Choosing between the Chevrolet Trailblazer 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 compact 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 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Mitsubishi Outlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Mitsubishi Outlander is more reliable than the Chevrolet Trailblazer, scoring 76/100 vs 73/100.
The Mitsubishi Outlander edges out the Chevrolet Trailblazer in reliability with a slightly higher average score of 76/100 compared to the Trailblazer's 73/100. However, the Outlander has a significantly higher recall count of 24 over eight years, indicating potential issues with manufacturing or design. Despite this, the Outlander offers a lower estimated annual repair cost at $519 versus the Trailblazer's $784. While both vehicles have similar complaint rates per 10,000 sold, the Trailblazer's issues are more concentrated in critical areas such as powertrain and brakes, making the Outlander a more cost-effective choice for long-term reliability.
Key Differences
- 1Mitsubishi Outlander costs $265 less per year to repair
- 2Chevrolet Trailblazer has 19 fewer total recalls
- 3Chevrolet Trailblazer has 4.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Trailblazer | Mitsubishi Outlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 5 | 24 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8.6 | 13.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $784/yr | $519/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.4/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Mitsubishi Outlander?
The Chevrolet Trailblazer exhibits significant issues with its power train and electrical system, with 84 and 77 complaints respectively, and notable crash-linked incidents in both categories. It also has a concerning number of complaints related to service brakes and airbags, with the latter having a high crash-linked ratio. In contrast, the Mitsubishi Outlander has its most reported problems in the structure category, followed by the electrical system, both with lower crash-linked incidents compared to the Trailblazer. However, the Outlander shows a critical safety concern with its airbags, which have 17 crash-linked complaints, highlighting a potential risk area not as prevalent in the Trailblazer.
| Component | Chevrolet Trailblazer | Mitsubishi Outlander |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.6Low | 2.1Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.6Low | 1.3Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | 2.6Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.8Low | 0.6Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.9Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 1.1Low |
| ENGINE | 0.8Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Trailblazer or Mitsubishi Outlander?
How Does Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Trailblazer | Mitsubishi Outlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 77/1000R / 19C | 82/1000R / 13C | Mitsubishi Outlander |
| 2024 | 78/1000R / 32C | 79/1001R / 22C | Mitsubishi Outlander |
| 2023 | 76/1000R / 62C | 77/1002R / 40C | Mitsubishi Outlander |
| 2022 | 68/1001R / 102C | 62/1007R / 209C | Chevrolet Trailblazer |
| 2021 | 63/1004R / 182C | 84/1000R / 0C | Mitsubishi Outlander |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer scored 78/100 and the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Trailblazer vs the Mitsubishi Outlander?
Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Trailblazer 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 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Trailblazer or the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- The Mitsubishi Outlander has more recalls (24) compared to the Chevrolet Trailblazer (5). 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 Chevrolet Trailblazer or the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Trailblazer has a lower complaint rate at 8.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13.1 for the Mitsubishi Outlander. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Trailblazer or the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mitsubishi Outlander is cheaper to maintain at $519/year versus $784/year for the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
- Is the Chevrolet Trailblazer or Mitsubishi Outlander safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Chevrolet Trailblazer has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Mitsubishi Outlander. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Trailblazer comparisons
More Mitsubishi Outlander comparisons
Decided between Chevrolet Trailblazer 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