Last updated: 2026-10-10
Nissan vs Tesla: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Nissan
12 models tracked
Tesla
5 models tracked
Nissan comes out well ahead of Tesla on reliability. It has fewer recalls, fewer crash complaints and lower repair costs. Tesla's lineup rates mixed across all five models, while Nissan's rates good or excellent in all twelve, and both brands show an improving recent trend.
Is Nissan More Reliable Than Tesla?
| Metric | Nissan | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 77/100 | 52/100 |
| Models Tracked | 12 | 5 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 14 | 102 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 531 | 2526 |
Tesla Models
5 models ranked by reliability
Nissan vs Tesla: The Verdict
Reliability favors Nissan by a large gap. Federal recall records list 172 recalls for Nissan against 509 for Tesla. Owner complaints run about 1 per 1,000 sold for Nissan and 3.9 for Tesla. Crash complaints split the brands most sharply.
Nissan also wins on repair costs, on how widely problems spread across systems, and in sedans, SUVs and trucks. Tesla's problems cluster in forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, which are safety systems. Nissan's biggest complaint area is the electrical system.
Where Nissan and Tesla Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Nissan | Tesla |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 67/100Good | 49/100Mixed |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 76/100Good | 40/100Mixed |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 85/100Excellent | 59/100Mixed |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 82/100Excellent | 74/100Good |
Nissan's advantage in repair costs (+36 points) is the main driver of the overall score difference between these makes.
Nissan vs Tesla: Strengths and Weaknesses
Nissan
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (77/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($523/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 12 of 12 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 41 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Tesla
Strengths
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
Weaknesses
- 5 of 5 models rated Mixed or Poor
- 72 fire-related complaints across lineup
How Reliable Are Nissan and Tesla Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Nissan
Tesla
Nissan vs Tesla Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Nissan | Tesla | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(5 vs 2 models) | 75/100 | 48/100 | Nissan |
| SUVs(6 vs 2 models) | 77/100 | 56/100 | Nissan |
| Trucks(1 vs 1 models) | 80/100 | 59/100 | Nissan |
Nissan wins 3 out of 3 shared categories.
Common Problems: Nissan vs Tesla
| Component | Nissan | Tesla |
|---|---|---|
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 6%342 | 25%2,730 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 23%1,283 | 12%1,331 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 17%929 | 12%1,360 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3%161 | 14%1,504 |
| STEERING | 5%272 | 12%1,303 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 11%590 | 8%895 |
| POWER TRAIN | 11%609 | 2%173 |
| SUSPENSION | 1%43 | 6%683 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%205 | 4%416 |
| ENGINE | 8%436 | — |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Nissan vs Tesla Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Nissan
331
Crash reports
41
Fire reports
268
Injury reports
Tesla
1,330
Crash reports
72
Fire reports
885
Injury reports
Every Nissan and Tesla Model Ranked
Nissan Models
Nissan vs Tesla Reliability Trend by Year
Nissan's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100, up from earlier years. Tesla's reliability is improving — recent model years average 62/100.
Interestingly, both Nissan and Tesla show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Nissan | Tesla | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 83/100(9) | 59/100(2) | Nissan |
| 2025 | 80/100(11) | 64/100(5) | Nissan |
| 2024 | 79/100(9) | 56/100(5) | Nissan |
| 2023 | 77/100(9) | 47/100(4) | Nissan |
| 2022 | 77/100(8) | 54/100(4) | Nissan |
| 2021 | 77/100(10) | 43/100(4) | Nissan |
| 2020 | 73/100(11) | 47/100(4) | Nissan |
| 2019 | 73/100(10) | 50/100(3) | Nissan |
| 2018 | 73/100(11) | 48/100(3) | Nissan |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Nissan vs Tesla: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Nissan and Tesla. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Nissan vs Tesla?
If you want the lowest-risk purchase, shop Nissan. Target the Ariya in model year 2024, which has far fewer complaints and no recalls. Skip the 2023, where owners report sudden loss of drive power. The Frontier is the pick if you need a truck. For a sedan, the Altima is the top-ranked one in the lineup. Avoid the 2019 and 2020 Leaf, which draw the most complaints, and expect higher upkeep on any Leaf.
Lean Tesla only if you specifically want one and accept the added risk. Within the lineup, the Model X ranks above the Model 3, Model Y and Model S, but every Tesla model rates mixed. If you buy a Model S, favor the 2019 and be wary of the 2021. Owners report phantom braking and sudden acceleration while parking, with crashes on record. The Cybertruck has a short record, and its newest years have had little time to collect complaints.
The Bottom Line: Nissan or Tesla?
For most used-car shoppers, Nissan is the safer buy, and independent repair-cost data backs that up on upkeep too. The strongest single model across both lineups is the Nissan Ariya, which rates excellent. Buy the 2024 and pass on the 2023. Nissan's average upkeep is $523 a year. The data gives no Tesla dollar figure to compare, so check quotes before buying either.
Nissan vs Tesla: Common Questions
Is Nissan more reliable than Tesla?
Which has more recalls, Nissan or Tesla?
Which is cheaper to repair, Nissan or Tesla?
What problems do Teslas have most often?
What are the common Nissan problems?
Comparing Nissan vs Tesla? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How we score Nissan and Tesla models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.