Last updated: 2026-03-04
Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima: Reliability Compared
Ford Mustang
Nissan Altima
Choosing between the Ford Mustang and the Nissan Altima? 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 coupes.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Nissan Altima currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Mustang and Nissan Altima Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the Ford Mustang, scoring 78/100 vs 65/100.
The Nissan Altima demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 83/100 compared to the Ford Mustang's 68/100. It also has significantly fewer recalls over nine years, with 20 for the Altima versus 71 for the Mustang. Owner complaints per 10,000 sold are notably lower for the Altima at 1.6 compared to the Mustang's 5.7, indicating better overall user satisfaction. Furthermore, the Altima's estimated annual repair cost of $483 is more economical than the Mustang's $709, making it the more reliable and cost-effective choice.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Altima costs $226 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Altima has 51 fewer total recalls
- 3Nissan Altima scores 13 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Mustang | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 65/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 71 | 20 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.7 | 1.6 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $709/yr | $483/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 14% | 12% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 8 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Mustang and Nissan Altima?
The Nissan Altima and Ford Mustang exhibit differing problem profiles, with the Mustang having a higher total number of complaints. The Mustang's issues are predominantly concentrated in the electrical system, with 269 complaints, including 7 linked to crashes, and the power train with 165 complaints. In contrast, the Altima's most significant problem areas are the electrical system and unknown or other issues, with a total of 142 and 112 complaints, respectively. Notably, the Altima exhibits a higher incidence of crash-linked airbag complaints, totaling 18, compared to the Mustang's electrical system and power train being the most crash-linked areas, indicating a potential safety concern in the Altima's airbag system.
| Component | Ford Mustang | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.5Low | 0.3Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.9Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —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?
How Does Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Mustang | Nissan Altima | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 73/1003R / 8C | 78/1001R / 4C | Nissan Altima |
| 2024 | 67/10010R / 63C | 82/1001R / 31C | Nissan Altima |
| 2023 | 72/1006R / 14C | 84/1000R / 24C | Nissan Altima |
| 2022 | 59/10017R / 154C | 83/1000R / 20C | Nissan Altima |
| 2021 | 54/10018R / 373C | 79/1002R / 53C | Nissan Altima |
| 2020 | 66/1008R / 101C | 71/1006R / 162C | Nissan Altima |
| 2019 | 67/1004R / 129C | 72/1008R / 230C | Nissan Altima |
| 2018 | 65/1004R / 172C | 76/1002R / 217C | Nissan Altima |
| 2026(predicted) | 71/100(predicted) | 81/100(predicted) | Nissan Altima |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford Mustang scored 73/100 and the 2023 Nissan Altima scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Mustang vs the Nissan Altima?
Ford Mustang vs Nissan Altima: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Mustang more reliable than the Nissan Altima?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Altima is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Mustang or the Nissan Altima?
- The Ford Mustang has more recalls (71) compared to the Nissan Altima (20). 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 Ford Mustang or the Nissan Altima?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus 5.7 for the Ford Mustang. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Mustang or the Nissan Altima?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Altima is cheaper to maintain at $483/year versus $709/year for the Ford Mustang.
- Is the Ford Mustang or Nissan Altima safer?
- Both the Ford Mustang and Nissan Altima 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.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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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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