Last updated: 2026-07-26
Ford Fusion vs Nissan Altima: Reliability Compared
Ford Fusion
Nissan Altima
Choosing between the Ford Fusion 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 sedans.
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 79/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the Ford Fusion, scoring 79/100 vs 69/100.
The Nissan Altima demonstrates stronger reliability compared to the Ford Fusion, with an average reliability score of 79 versus the Fusion's 69. Notably, the Altima has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 1.6 per 10,000 units sold against the Fusion's 21.1. Although both vehicles have faced recalls, the Altima's nine-year span and higher unit sales dilute the impact of its 20 recalls compared to the Fusion's eight recalls over just three years. Additionally, the Altima offers lower estimated annual repair costs at $483, making it a more dependable and cost-effective choice in the midsize sedan segment.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Altima costs $98 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Altima has 19.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Ford Fusion has 12 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Ford Fusion vs Nissan Altima: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Fusion | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 79/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 8 | 20 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 21.1 | 1.6 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $581/yr | $483/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 12% | 12% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2020 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 (1 tied) | 2 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima?
The Nissan Altima exhibits a broad spectrum of issues, with significant concerns in the electrical system (142 complaints) and service brakes (62 complaints), both of which have notable crash-linked incidents, particularly in brakes with 14 crash-linked complaints. The Altima also faces considerable safety challenges with air bags, accounting for 49 complaints and 18 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Ford Fusion's primary reliability issues lie with the engine (262 complaints) and power train (232 complaints), though it has fewer crash-linked complaints in these areas compared to the Altima's more safety-centric problems. Notably, the Fusion's air bag complaints are minimal (12 complaints) but share a similar crash-linked ratio to the Altima, indicating a focused yet less prevalent safety concern.
| Component | Ford Fusion | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 5.7Average | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 5Average | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2.9Low | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.6Low | 0.3Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.8Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.8Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Fusion or Nissan Altima?
How Does Ford Fusion vs Nissan Altima Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Fusion | Nissan Altima | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 71/1003R / 176C | 71/1006R / 162C | Tie |
| 2019 | 68/1003R / 370C | 72/1008R / 230C | Nissan Altima |
| 2018 | 68/1002R / 429C | 76/1002R / 217C | Nissan Altima |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Ford Fusion scored 71/100 and the 2018 Nissan Altima scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Fusion vs the Nissan Altima?
Ford Fusion vs Nissan Altima: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Fusion more reliable than the Nissan Altima?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Altima is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Fusion or the Nissan Altima?
- The Nissan Altima has more recalls (20) compared to the Ford Fusion (8). 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 Fusion or the Nissan Altima?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 21.1 for the Ford Fusion. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Fusion or the Nissan Altima?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Altima is cheaper to maintain at $483/year versus $581/year for the Ford Fusion.
- Is the Ford Fusion or Nissan Altima safer?
- Both the Ford Fusion 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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Decided between Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue