Is the Audi E-Tron more reliable than the Tesla Model Y?

Based on our data, the Tesla Model Y is more reliable with an average score of 55/100 compared to 51/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Audi E-Tron or the Tesla Model Y?

The Audi E-Tron has more recalls (106) compared to the Tesla Model Y (83). 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 Audi E-Tron or the Tesla Model Y?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Tesla Model Y has a lower complaint rate at 24.3 per 10,000 sold versus 80.3 for the Audi E-Tron. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Audi E-Tron or Tesla Model Y safer?

Both the Audi E-Tron and Tesla Model Y received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

Audi E-Tron vs Tesla Model Y: Reliability Compared

Audi E-Tron

Mixed

More Reliable

Tesla Model Y

Mixed

Choosing between the Audi E-Tron and the Tesla Model Y? 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 midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Tesla Model Y currently leads with an average score of 55/100 compared to 51/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Audi E-Tron and Tesla Model Y Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Tesla Model Y is in its second generation, which began in 2025 following a significant refresh in the same year. Being early in its generation cycle, the Model Y might still exhibit some first-year issues as the new design and updates are fine-tuned. In contrast, the Audi E-Tron, rebranded as the Q8 e-tron, is based on its first-generation platform, introduced in 2019. It received a facelift in 2023, suggesting a more mature and refined platform. Generally, mature platforms like the E-Tron's tend to be more reliable due to the resolution of initial production issues over time.

Verdict

The Tesla Model Y is more reliable than the Audi E-Tron, scoring 55/100 vs 51/100.

The Tesla Model Y and Audi E-Tron both present reliability challenges, but the data reveals some distinctions. The Model Y scores a slightly higher average reliability score of 55/100 compared to the E-Tron's 51/100. While the Model Y has faced 83 recalls over seven years, the E-Tron has encountered 106 recalls in eight years. Notably, the Model Y also has a lower owner complaint rate of 24.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold, compared to the E-Tron's 80.3, suggesting a relatively better performance in owner satisfaction. Despite both vehicles sharing common issues with their electrical systems, the Model Y's lower complaint rate and fewer recalls make it the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Tesla Model Y has 56.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Tesla Model Y has 23 fewer total recalls
3Tesla Model Y scores 4 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

0Audi E-Tron

—

3Tesla Model Y

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Audi E-Tron vs Tesla Model Y: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi E-Tron vs Tesla Model Y at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi E-Tron	Tesla Model Y
Reliability Score	51/100	55/100
Years Tracked	8	6
Total Recalls	106	83
Complaints per 10k Sold	80.3	24.3
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	4

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi E-Tron and Tesla Model Y?

The Tesla Model Y exhibits a higher overall number of complaints compared to the Audi E-Tron, with significant issues in forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, both of which are linked to a substantial number of crashes (41 and 49 respectively). In contrast, the Audi E-Tron has relatively fewer complaints overall, with the electrical system being its most reported issue, though only six of these are crash-linked. Notably, the Tesla Model Y also shows a concerning number of crash-linked complaints related to its steering and airbag systems, highlighting potential safety concerns. While the Audi E-Tron's complaints are less frequent and less crash-linked, the Tesla Model Y's problem profile suggests more severe reliability challenges, especially in safety-critical areas.

Audi E-Tron vs Tesla Model Y common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi E-Tron	Tesla Model Y
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	30.8High	2.4Low
POWER TRAIN	10Above Avg	0.4Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	5.7Average	2.3Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.3Low	6.3Average
SERVICE BRAKES	4Average	1.9Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	2Low	3.1Average
STEERING	1.3Low	2.4Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	2.7Low	—None
ENGINE	1.7Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.7Very Low	0.9Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.7Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	0.7Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	0.6Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Audi E-Tron vs Tesla Model Y Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi E-Tron vs Tesla Model Y year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi E-Tron	Tesla Model Y	Edge
2025	50/10012R / 19C	70/1002R / 69C	Tesla Model Y
2024	48/10016R / 23C	63/1005R / 254C	Tesla Model Y
2023	46/10022R / 30C	53/10015R / 997C	Tesla Model Y
2022	49/10032R / 52C	50/10018R / 783C	Tesla Model Y
2021	55/1009R / 32C	46/10021R / 991C	Audi E-Tron
2020	62/1004R / 1C	46/10022R / 264C	Audi E-Tron

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Audi E-Tron scored 62/100 and the 2025 Tesla Model Y scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Audi E-Tron vs the Tesla Model Y?

If you prioritize fewer owner complaints and a slightly higher reliability score, the Tesla Model Y might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 55/100 and 24.3 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, this model presents a more favorable option compared to the Audi E-Tron. However, be mindful of its top issues, like forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, which could affect your driving experience. On the other hand, if you are willing to overlook a higher number of recalls and complaints for features unique to Audi, the E-Tron could be appealing. It has a reliability score of 51/100 and 80.3 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, with significant concerns in the electrical and power train systems. Choose the E-Tron if you value the brand's luxury appeal and are prepared to manage potential maintenance challenges.

Audi E-Tron vs Tesla Model Y: Common Questions

Is the Audi E-Tron more reliable than the Tesla Model Y?: Based on our data, the Tesla Model Y is more reliable with an average score of 55/100 compared to 51/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Audi E-Tron or the Tesla Model Y?: The Audi E-Tron has more recalls (106) compared to the Tesla Model Y (83). 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 Audi E-Tron or the Tesla Model Y?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Tesla Model Y has a lower complaint rate at 24.3 per 10,000 sold versus 80.3 for the Audi E-Tron. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Audi E-Tron or Tesla Model Y safer?: Both the Audi E-Tron and Tesla Model Y received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

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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.

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