Last updated: 2026-10-10
Tesla vs Toyota: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Tesla
5 models tracked
Toyota
19 models tracked
Toyota comes out well ahead of Tesla on reliability. Toyota owners file 0.9 complaints per 1,000 sold, against 3.9 for Tesla. Tesla's mixed standing and crash-linked braking and acceleration reports weigh against it, while Toyota's lineup rates good or excellent across the board.
Is Tesla More Reliable Than Toyota?
| Metric | Tesla | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 52/100 | 76/100 |
| Models Tracked | 5 | 19 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 102 | 25 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 2526 | 616 |
Tesla Models
5 models ranked by reliability
Tesla vs Toyota: The Verdict
A large gap separates these brands, and it favors Toyota. Its standing is good and Tesla's is mixed. Toyota is stronger on complaint severity, repair costs, recall impact and how widely problems spread across systems.
Raw totals look close, with 509 recalls for Tesla and 474 for Toyota. But Toyota covers 19 models and Tesla only 5, and per vehicle sold Tesla draws more than four times the complaints. Tesla's biggest problem area is forward collision avoidance, a quarter of its complaints. Toyota's biggest is the power train, at 19%. Both brands show an improving recent trend.
Where Tesla and Toyota Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Tesla | Toyota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 49/100Mixed | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 40/100Mixed | 77/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 59/100Mixed | 80/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 74/100Good | 82/100Excellent |
Where they diverge most: repair costs. Toyota has a 37-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.
Tesla vs Toyota: Strengths and Weaknesses
Tesla
Strengths
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
Weaknesses
- 5 of 5 models rated Mixed or Poor
- 72 fire-related complaints across lineup
Toyota
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (76/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($482/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 19 of 19 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 93 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Tesla and Toyota Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Tesla
Toyota
Tesla vs Toyota Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Tesla | Toyota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trucks(1 vs 2 models) | 59/100 | 67/100 | Toyota |
| Sedans(2 vs 6 models) | 48/100 | 78/100 | Toyota |
| SUVs(2 vs 9 models) | 56/100 | 77/100 | Toyota |
Toyota wins 3 out of 3 shared categories.
Common Problems: Tesla vs Toyota
| Component | Tesla | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 25%2,730 | 0%50 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12%1,360 | 13%1,350 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 12%1,331 | 12%1,271 |
| POWER TRAIN | 2%173 | 19%1,909 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14%1,504 | 3%331 |
| STEERING | 12%1,303 | 5%532 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 8%895 | 8%780 |
| AIR BAGS | 4%416 | 9%911 |
| ENGINE | — | 9%963 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | — | 8%796 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Tesla vs Toyota Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Tesla
1,330
Crash reports
72
Fire reports
885
Injury reports
Toyota
699
Crash reports
93
Fire reports
633
Injury reports
Every Tesla and Toyota Model Ranked
Tesla Models
Toyota Models
Tesla vs Toyota Reliability Trend by Year
Tesla's reliability is improving — recent model years average 62/100, up from earlier years. Toyota's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
Interestingly, both Tesla and Toyota show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Tesla | Toyota | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 59/100(2) | 86/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2025 | 64/100(5) | 78/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2024 | 56/100(5) | 75/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2023 | 47/100(4) | 75/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2022 | 54/100(4) | 76/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2021 | 43/100(4) | 76/100(14) | Toyota |
| 2020 | 47/100(4) | 73/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2019 | 50/100(3) | 70/100(12) | Toyota |
| 2018 | 48/100(3) | 71/100(12) | Toyota |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Tesla vs Toyota: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Tesla and Toyota. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Tesla vs Toyota?
If you want the lowest risk, shop Toyota. The Corolla, Corolla Cross, 4Runner and Venza all rate excellent. The Crown rates excellent too, but its record is short, so favor the 2024 and treat the 2026 as too new to judge. Truck shoppers should be picky with the Tacoma. Favor the 2021, skip 2018 and 2019, and test for a transmission that shudders at light throttle and for brake fluid leaking into the cab.
If you still want a Tesla, expect a mixed record on every model. The Model S is the weakest in the lineup. The 2019 is the safer used pick and the 2021 draws the most worry, with owners reporting phantom braking and sudden acceleration while parking. Skip the 2024 Cybertruck, which has trim coming off at highway speeds and doors that do not latch. Its 2025 and 2026 years show fewer complaints mainly because they are new.
The Bottom Line: Tesla or Toyota?
Unless you have a specific reason to want a Tesla, buy a Toyota. The Crown is the strongest single model across both lineups, with excellent reliability and nothing filed so far, though its short history makes the 2024 the one to favor. On cost, independent repair-cost data puts the average Toyota at $482 a year. It gives no matching Tesla figure, but it rates Toyota stronger on repair costs.
Tesla vs Toyota: Common Questions
Is Tesla more reliable than Toyota?
Which brand has more recalls, Tesla or Toyota?
Which is cheaper to repair, Tesla or Toyota?
What goes wrong most often on a used Tesla?
What goes wrong most often on a used Toyota?
Comparing Tesla vs Toyota? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
More Tesla comparisons
How we score Tesla and Toyota 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.