Last updated: 2026-10-10

Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima: Reliability Compared

Ford Mustang reliability comparison

Ford Mustang

67
GoodReliability score: 67 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableNissan Altima reliability comparison

Nissan Altima

79
GoodReliability score: 79 out of 100, rated Good

On reliability, the Nissan Altima comes out well ahead of the Ford Mustang. It draws far fewer owner complaints per car sold. The Altima's airbag, brake, and steering reports are serious, though, and the details below show what to check.

How Do the Ford Mustang and Nissan Altima Generations Compare?

Most Altima shoppers will land in the sixth generation, which ran from 2019 through 2023 and ended with a 2023 refresh. A 2018 belongs to the fifth generation, which ran from 2013 and got a 2016 facelift. For the Mustang, the sixth generation ran from 2015 to 2023, with an update in 2018, so every 2018 to 2023 car comes from that generation. The seventh generation began with the 2024 model year. Its newest years rank strongly, but they have had the least time on the road to collect complaints.

Verdict

The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the Ford Mustang, scoring 79/100 vs 67/100.

Reliability favors the Altima by a large gap. It draws far fewer owner complaints per car sold, has about a quarter as many recalls, and costs less to repair each year. The Mustang wins one measure, with slightly fewer unscheduled shop visits. That does not outweigh its recalls and its costly, repeated electrical, camera, and EcoBoost engine failures. The Altima still has serious faults in airbags, brakes, and steering, so a clean history matters on either car.

Key Differences

  1. 1Nissan Altima costs $226 less per year to repair
  2. 2Nissan Altima has 51 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Nissan Altima scores 12 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Ford Mustang
—
5Nissan Altima
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricFord MustangNissan Altima
Reliability Score67/10079/100
Years Tracked99
Total Recalls7120
Complaints per 10k Sold5.71.6
Annual Repair Cost$709/yr$483/yr
Repair Frequency0.2/yr0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk14%12%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins09

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Mustang and Nissan Altima?

Safety failures define the Altima's worst reports. Owners describe electrical fires, airbags that did not deploy in frontal crashes, automatic braking that stops the car on the highway, and tie rods that separate during turns. Airbags and service brakes carry the most crash-linked complaints, and the Mustang's main problem areas include neither. Its troubles lean toward cost and nuisance: a digital instrument panel that goes blank, a front camera fault that shuts off emergency braking and cruise control, and 2.3L EcoBoost coolant leaks into the cylinders. Its steering assist can also cut out.

Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima common problem areas comparison
ComponentFord MustangNissan Altima
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1.5Low0.3Very Low
POWER TRAIN0.9Very Low0.1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.6Very Low0.2Very Low
ENGINE0.4Very Low0.1Very Low
STEERING0.2Very Low0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.2Very Low0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.3Very Low—None
STRUCTURE0.2Very Low—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.2Very Low—None
AIR BAGS0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.1Very Low—None
VISIBILITY0.1Very Low—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION0.1Very Low—None
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES0.1Very Low—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None—None
WHEELS—None—None
FUEL SYSTEM—None—None
SUSPENSION—None—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING—None—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER—None—None
SEAT BELTS—None—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)—None—None
SEATS—None—None
TIRES—None—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Mustang or Nissan Altima?

Repair costs run lower on the Altima, at about $483 a year against $709 for the Mustang. That gap is $226 a year, or roughly $1,130 over five years. The Mustang does go to the shop without warning slightly less often, at 0.2 visits a year against 0.3. Its repairs are also more likely to be major, at 14% against 12%. One expensive failure, such as an EcoBoost engine job or a camera replacement, can erase its visit-frequency advantage.

How Does Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima year-by-year reliability scores
YearFord MustangNissan AltimaEdge
202678/1001R / 0C88/1000R / 0CNissan Altima
202573/1003R / 8C78/1001R / 4CNissan Altima
202467/10010R / 63C82/1001R / 31CNissan Altima
202372/1006R / 14C84/1000R / 24CNissan Altima
202259/10017R / 154C83/1000R / 20CNissan Altima
202154/10018R / 373C79/1002R / 53CNissan Altima
202066/1008R / 101C71/1006R / 162CNissan Altima
201967/1004R / 129C72/1008R / 230CNissan Altima
201865/1004R / 172C76/1002R / 217CNissan Altima

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Ford Mustang scored 72/100 and the 2023 Nissan Altima scored 84/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Ford Mustang vs the Nissan Altima?

Buy the Altima if you want the lower ownership bill and fewer headaches. Its complaint rate is far lower and its repair cost is lower. Target 2023, one of its strongest years, and avoid 2019 and 2020, its weakest. The newest year ranks well too, but it has had little time to collect complaints. Check recall status by VIN, since steering owners say a tie rod fastener recall did not cover their cars. Listen for clicking or humming when turning. Choose the Mustang only if you want the coupe and accept the higher cost. Avoid 2021 and 2022, its weakest years. On a 2.3L EcoBoost, ask for proof of head gasket work and coolant history, because failures were reported from 26,000 to 86,000 miles. Test the digital dash, the windows, and the driver-assist systems on the drive. The newest years rank best, but they have had little time to collect complaints, so do not treat them as proven.

Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima: Common Questions

Is the Nissan Altima more reliable than the Ford Mustang?
Yes, by a large gap. The Altima has 1.6 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, against 5.7 for the Mustang. It also has fewer recalls and a lower repair cost. The Mustang's one edge is slightly fewer unscheduled shop visits each year.
Which has more recalls, the Altima or the Mustang?
The Mustang has far more. Federal recall records show 71 across its 2018 to 2026 model years, compared with 20 for the Altima. Check any specific car by VIN, because a recall covers only certain vehicles and may already have been fixed.
Which is cheaper to repair, the Altima or the Mustang?
The Altima. Independent repair-cost data puts it near $483 a year, against $709 for the Mustang. Over five years that adds up to roughly $1,130 less. Major repairs are also a little less likely on the Altima, at 12% against 14%.
What is the biggest problem with the Ford Mustang?
Electrical faults draw the most complaints. The digital instrument panel can go blank while driving, and power windows lower on their own. The 2.3L EcoBoost can also leak coolant into the cylinders, with dealer quotes near $11,000 for head gasket work or a full engine.
Are Nissan Altima airbag and steering problems serious?
Yes. Owners report airbags that did not deploy in serious frontal crashes, and airbags is the Altima's most crash-linked area, with 18 crash-linked complaints. Steering reports describe tie rods coming apart during turns, and some ended in crashes. Have a shop inspect both systems before you buy.

Related Reliability Comparisons

Decided between Ford Mustang and Nissan Altima? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How we score the Ford Mustang and Nissan Altima

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.

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