Nissan X-Trail vs Mitsubishi Outlander: known faults compared
Mid-size seven-seat-capable SUVs at similar prices, both sold new here and imported used, and both with CVT automatics in many years.
The catalogue documents 47 faults for the Mitsubishi Outlander and 45 for the Nissan X-Trail. 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 | Nissan X-Trail | Mitsubishi Outlander |
|---|---|---|
| Documented faults | 45 | 47 |
| Rated major or critical | 36 | 44 |
| Rated common or very common | 29 | 28 |
| Typical repair | $500–$2,200 | $800–$3,500 |
| Model years covered | 2000–2022 | 2001–2024 |
| Fuel types with documented faults | diesel, petrol | hybrid, petrol, diesel |
| Service schedule on the model page | No | No |
Where the Nissan X-Trail goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- CVT Xtronic Transmission Judder and Premature Failure
- Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Wear
- QR25DE Excessive Oil Consumption – Piston Ring Wear
Most expensive to fix
Where the Mitsubishi Outlander goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- Front lower control arm bush deterioration
- Rear Tailgate Gas Strut Failure
- Jatco JF011E CVT primary pulley bearing failure
Most expensive to fix
Where the Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander differ
- Engine: 16 documented on the Nissan X-Trail, 7 on the Mitsubishi Outlander. The costliest on the Nissan X-Trail is M9R Diesel Intake Swirl Flap Failure and Ingestion Risk, at up to $14,000.
- Electrical: 6 documented on the Nissan X-Trail, 12 on the Mitsubishi Outlander. The costliest on the Mitsubishi Outlander is High-Voltage Traction Battery Cell Degradation, at up to $22,000.
- Transmission: 6 documented on the Nissan X-Trail, 9 on the Mitsubishi Outlander. The costliest on the Mitsubishi Outlander is Jatco CVT Shudder, Overheating and Premature Failure, at up to $9,000.
Both carry several documented faults in engine, electrical, transmission, suspension and fluid leaks, so check those areas on either car.
Fault areas side by side
| Area | Nissan X-Trail | Mitsubishi Outlander |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 16 | 7 |
| Electrical | 6 | 12 |
| Transmission | 6 | 9 |
| Suspension | 6 | 7 |
| Fluid Leaks | 5 | 4 |
| Brakes | 2 | 4 |
| Cooling | 3 | 2 |
| Body & Rust | 1 | 2 |
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 Nissan X-Trail or the Mitsubishi Outlander?
The catalogue documents 47 faults for the Mitsubishi Outlander and 45 for the Nissan X-Trail. 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, 36 on the Nissan X-Trail and 44 on the Mitsubishi Outlander 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 $500 to $2,200 on the Nissan X-Trail and $800 to $3,500 on the Mitsubishi Outlander, 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 Nissan X-Trail it is T32 CVT Coolant-to-Transmission Fluid Cross-Contamination via Radiator, documented at up to $16,000. On the Mitsubishi Outlander it is High-Voltage Traction Battery Cell Degradation, documented at up to $22,000.