Mitsubishi Triton vs Ford Ranger: known faults compared
Dual-cab diesel utes that overlap in size and use, with the Triton usually the lower-priced of the two for the same year.
The catalogue documents 45 faults for the Ford Ranger and 34 for the Mitsubishi Triton. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score.
At a glance
| Measure | Mitsubishi Triton | Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Documented faults | 34 | 45 |
| Rated major or critical | 28 | 44 |
| Rated common or very common | 22 | 30 |
| Typical repair | $400–$2,000 | $550–$3,200 |
| Model years covered | 1986–2024 | 2006–2025 |
| Fuel types with documented faults | diesel, petrol | petrol, diesel |
| Service schedule on the model page | No | Yes |
Where the Mitsubishi Triton goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- 4N15 DPF Clogging on Short Urban Trips
- EGR Valve & Intake Manifold Carbon Soot Blockage
- 4N15 2.4D Timing Chain Stretch and Cold-Start Rattle
Most expensive to fix
Where the Ford Ranger goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- 3.2L TDCi HPFP Metal Contamination of Fuel System
- P5AT 3.2 TDCi Water Pump Impeller Fracture
- Takata front airbag recall (PJ / PK Ranger, 2006-2011)
Most expensive to fix
Where the Mitsubishi Triton and Ford Ranger differ
- Engine: 15 documented on the Mitsubishi Triton, 19 on the Ford Ranger. The costliest on the Ford Ranger is Ranger Raptor 3.0 V6 EcoBoost petrol broken valve springs - misfire, possible engine replacement (Ford SSM 51979), at up to $25,000.
- Suspension: 7 documented on the Mitsubishi Triton, 4 on the Ford Ranger. The costliest on the Mitsubishi Triton is Rear Leaf Spring Fatigue, Sag & Cracking, at up to $2,200.
- Cooling: 1 documented on the Mitsubishi Triton, 4 on the Ford Ranger. The costliest on the Ford Ranger is PX/PX2 P5AT 3.2 TDCi Injector Cup Cracking – Coolant Contamination, at up to $6,000.
Both carry several documented faults in engine, transmission and suspension, so check those areas on either car.
Fault areas side by side
| Area | Mitsubishi Triton | Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 15 | 19 |
| Transmission | 6 | 7 |
| Suspension | 7 | 4 |
| Electrical | 2 | 3 |
| Cooling | 1 | 4 |
| Interior | 1 | 3 |
| Body & Rust | 1 | 2 |
| Fluid Leaks | 1 | 2 |
| Brakes | 0 | 1 |
How to read this comparison
These are documented faults, not failure rates. A car sold in bigger numbers, for more years, has more written about it. Neither list tells you about the car in front of you: that depends on its history and how it has been looked after. Use the lists to know what to check, then check it.
Checking one of these cars?
Type the plate for the free basics and the faults that apply to that exact car. The full history and the guided inspection are one-off paid checks, no subscription.
Questions
Which has more known problems, the Mitsubishi Triton or the Ford Ranger?
The catalogue documents 45 faults for the Ford Ranger and 34 for the Mitsubishi Triton. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score. Of those, 28 on the Mitsubishi Triton and 44 on the Ford Ranger are rated major or critical. What matters more is whether the car in front of you has the specific faults its model is known for.
Which is cheaper to fix?
A typical documented repair runs $400 to $2,000 on the Mitsubishi Triton and $550 to $3,200 on the Ford Ranger, at New Zealand independent workshop rates. The expensive exceptions are listed on this page for each car, and they are the ones to check for before you buy.
What is the most expensive known fault on each?
On the Mitsubishi Triton it is INVECS-III 6-Speed Automatic Transmission Failure, documented at up to $9,100. On the Ford Ranger it is Ranger Raptor 3.0 V6 EcoBoost petrol broken valve springs - misfire, possible engine replacement (Ford SSM 51979), documented at up to $25,000.