Last updated: 2026-07-26
Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Reliability Compared
Jeep Renegade
Mitsubishi Outlander
Choosing between the Jeep Renegade 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 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Jeep Renegade and Mitsubishi Outlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Mitsubishi Outlander is more reliable than the Jeep Renegade, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.
The Mitsubishi Outlander edges out the Jeep Renegade with a slightly higher average reliability score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. Despite having more total recalls, the Outlander maintains a lower owner complaint rate of 13.1 per 10,000 sold versus the Renegade's 20.4. Both vehicles have comparable annual repair costs, with the Renegade at $498 and the Outlander at $519, making the Outlander’s lower complaint rate a significant differentiator in reliability. Key issues for the Renegade focus on the electrical and engine systems, while the Outlander is more often affected by structural and airbag concerns.
Key Differences
- 1Jeep Renegade costs $21 less per year to repair
- 2Jeep Renegade has 9 fewer total recalls
- 3Mitsubishi Outlander has 7.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Jeep Renegade | Mitsubishi Outlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 15 | 24 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 20.4 | 13.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $498/yr | $519/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 9% | 11% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2023 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 (1 tied) | 3 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Jeep Renegade and Mitsubishi Outlander?
The Jeep Renegade shows a high incidence of issues related to the electrical system, with 185 complaints, including 3 that are crash-linked, and significant airbag problems with 21 out of 29 complaints linked to crashes. In contrast, the Mitsubishi Outlander reports fewer total complaints, with the structure being the most reported issue at 78 complaints but without any crash linkage. Both models have notable airbag concerns, though the Renegade's airbag complaints are more frequently linked to crashes. Additionally, the Renegade's engine and power train issues are more pronounced compared to the Outlander, which has a broader distribution of minor complaints across various components.
| Component | Jeep Renegade | Mitsubishi Outlander |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5.5Average | 2.1Low |
| ENGINE | 3.8Average | 0.3Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2.8Low | 1.3Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 2.5Low | 0.6Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 2.6Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.9Very Low | 1.1Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.4Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| TIRES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 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: Jeep Renegade or Mitsubishi Outlander?
How Does Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Jeep Renegade | Mitsubishi Outlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 77/1002R / 20C | 77/1002R / 40C | Tie |
| 2022 | 76/1002R / 24C | 62/1007R / 209C | Jeep Renegade |
| 2021 | 75/1002R / 64C | 84/1000R / 0C | Mitsubishi Outlander |
| 2020 | 75/1003R / 62C | 76/1003R / 30C | Mitsubishi Outlander |
| 2019 | 75/1004R / 77C | 74/1005R / 29C | Jeep Renegade |
| 2018 | 65/1002R / 440C | 71/1006R / 55C | Mitsubishi Outlander |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Jeep Renegade scored 77/100 and the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Jeep Renegade vs the Mitsubishi Outlander?
Jeep Renegade vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Common Questions
- Is the Jeep Renegade 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 Jeep Renegade or the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- The Mitsubishi Outlander has more recalls (24) compared to the Jeep Renegade (15). 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 Jeep Renegade 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 20.4 for the Jeep Renegade. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Jeep Renegade or the Mitsubishi Outlander?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Jeep Renegade is cheaper to maintain at $498/year versus $519/year for the Mitsubishi Outlander.
- Is the Jeep Renegade or Mitsubishi Outlander safer?
- Both the Jeep Renegade 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 Jeep Renegade comparisons
More Mitsubishi Outlander comparisons
Decided between Jeep Renegade 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