Are Mitsubishis Cars Reliable?

• Mitsubishi has a mixed reliability record, ranking in the bottom half among brands, but still offers competitive models like the Outlander.
• The brand achieves moderate scores in dependability and cost of ownership, with some models recognized for low 5-year costs.
• Safety and fuel efficiency vary by model, with some achieving high ratings and awards for safety but others facing common issues like transmission failure.
• Despite challenges, Mitsubishi models like the Outlander and Mirage are noted for their affordability and safety, making them viable options for some drivers.

Mitsubishi cars rank in the bottom half in reliability, albeit toward the middle of the pack. Within the industry, Mitsubishi struggles to maintain pace with other brands that offer a wide range of models and plenty of features to go with them. This import brand also experiences the lack of consumer appeal it lost in retiring the enthusiast-favorite Lancer platform. 

The measure of a person’s reliability often stems from performance in several areas, and a vehicle is no different. The following sources offer critical information necessary to determining car reliability ratings, including ratings for Mitsubishi: 

• J.D. Power dependability rewards 
• FuelEconomy.gov’s fuel efficiency ratings
• Safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Average repair costs reported by RepairPal
• Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) 5-Year Cost to Own

If you’re wondering about BMW reliability, use these resources to investigate how well the brand scores in different areas. You can also compare BMW’s reliability ratings to Mitsubishi’s (or any other automaker, for that matter) to see which one comes out on top. Whether you’re in the market for sports cars, a hatchback, sedans, or crossovers, these resources prove invaluable. 

While this Japanese brand doesn’t host a performance-oriented nameplate in its lineup, current Mitsubishi models receive mixed reviews among industry experts and consumers. Read on to find out how Mitsubishi performs in cost of ownership, safety and fuel efficiency ratings, dependability, and average repair costs. 

1. Cost of ownership 

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander won KBB’s award for the lowest cost of ownership in its segment. KBB predicted the five-year ownership costs to total $40,995. That low cost of ownership is a few thousand less than the 2020 Kia Sorento, KBB’s second-place winner. 

2. Dependability 

J.D. Power ranked Mitsubishi among the top 10 brands in its 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. Indeed, Mitsubishi ranked a spot higher than Toyota in the study. However, no Mitsubishi vehicles outshone a Toyota equivalent in any segment. 

The 2023 Outlander won the Best Auto of 2023 award from Money. Money also recognized the 2023 Mirage for Best Value among subcompact cars. Victory & Reseda named the Outlander “Vehicle of the Year” for 2023, a first-time award for the brand from this particular entity. 

3. Fuel efficiency

Among the limited Mitsubishi lineup, the Mitsubishi Mirage earns the highest fuel-efficiency ratings at 36 city and 43 highway miles-per-gallon (MPG). Two-wheel drive Outlander models earn 24 city and 31 highway MPG, while Sport versions dip down an MPG on the highway. The 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross posts 25 city and 28 highway MPG. 

4. Safety features and ratings

Although the NHTSA has yet to test the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, the IIHS awarded it “Good” ratings in all categories and a Top Safety Pick in 2023. The 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage earned “Good” ratings in two tests from the IIHS but only scored “Marginal” in the “Small overlap front: driver-side” test. The NHTSA awarded the Mirage four out of five stars. 

The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport earned a similar four-out-of-five-star rating from the NHTSA and “Good” ratings in two categories from the IIHS. However, the model earned an “Acceptable” rating in the “Small overlap front: driver-side” test. The 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a mixed report card from the IIHS but a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

5. Average repair costs

RepairPal ranks Mitsubishi sixth among 32 car brands in terms of reliability. This import brand earns a four-out-of-five-star rating and costs $535 on average to repair. Mitsubishis visit the shop an average of 0.2 times annually, with a 12% probability of a severe repair. The likelihood of severe repairs for all car brands is also 12%. 

Mitsubishi may handle its recalls well, but the prompt fixes often have consumers wondering why those changes weren’t implemented in the first place. Below are several common Mitsubishi problems you may encounter. 

1. Transmission failure 

Automatic transmissions in several Mitsubishi models were prone to premature failure. Transmissions on the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlanders were also susceptible to failure. According to RepairPal, replacement is often required to take care of the problem. 

2. Engine issues

Mitsubishi powertrains had a few different issues throughout the years. Some engines would stall due to the idle air control valve failing. A loose or broken crankshaft pulley bolt could cause problems as much as a faulty crankshaft sensor. Several Outlander model engines also overheated due to various factors. 

3. Airbag failure 

The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander suffered the most from this issue, which had to do with the airbag’s ability to deploy as designed in the event of an accident. That is to say, the airbag didn’t deploy as it should have, causing concern among owners. Though no recall was issued, it’s worth looking for evidence of replacement on the vehicle history report of this particular model and model year. 

If you already have a vehicle but want to know how to get out of a car loan to get behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi, these are the most reliable cars you should test-drive before deciding on which to purchase. 

Mitsubishi Outlander

Regarding reliability, the Mitsubishi Outlander ranks eighth among 26 compact SUVs in RepairPal’s reliability ratings. Average repair costs total $521 annually for this SUV, which also visits the shop 0.3 times on average. The severity of repairs for the Outlander comes within a percentage of ratings for all vehicle models, making it the best car for reliability among this brand’s lineup.  

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

The Outlander Sport ranks among the top 10 compact SUVs, according to RepairPal. Repairing the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport will only cost you $498 annually, below average for the segment and all car models. However, the model does have a 10% chance of a severe repair, although it only visits the shop 0.3 times annually on average. 

Mitsubishi Mirage 

Despite a tepid reception, the Mitsubishi Mirage and Mirage G4 rank seventh out of 21 models in the subcompact car segment according to RepairPal. It costs roughly $457 annually to repair the Mirage, which is $1 more than the average repair cost for its segment and well under the repair costs for all vehicles. The Mirage reportedly visits the shop only 0.1 times annually, with a 9% chance of a severe repair. 

Mitsubishis can be good cars if they’re well cared for and maintained. Mitsubishi ranks high in affordability and safety, but its reliability rankings may depend too heavily on its low price tag compared to other brands. Mitsubishi demonstrates that simplicity can work against you in many ways, as the brand lags behind competitors in technology, build quality, and innovation. With the termination of the Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution nameplates, many car enthusiasts sought their thrills elsewhere and have yet to return.