Is the Hyundai Sonata 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 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Sonata or the Nissan Altima?

Both have 20 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Hyundai Sonata or the Nissan Altima?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus 3.7 for the Hyundai Sonata. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Hyundai Sonata or Nissan Altima safer?

Both the Hyundai Sonata 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.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Altima: Reliability Compared

Hyundai Sonata

Good

More Reliable

Nissan Altima

Good

Choosing between the Hyundai Sonata 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 78/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Altima Generations Compare?

The Nissan Altima is currently in its sixth generation, which began in 2019, with a refresh in 2023. This places it in the later stage of its generation cycle, suggesting that many initial issues have likely been resolved, making it a potentially more reliable choice. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Sonata is in its eighth generation, introduced in 2020 and refreshed in 2023. Like the Altima, the Sonata is also in the latter part of its generation cycle, which typically means any early kinks have been worked out. Both models have undergone significant facelifts, indicating improvements and updates that can enhance reliability.

Verdict

The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata, scoring 78/100 vs 67/100.

The Nissan Altima surpasses the Hyundai Sonata in reliability, with an average reliability score of 83/100 compared to the Sonata’s 69/100. Both models have experienced 20 recalls over nine years, but the Altima has a lower owner complaint rate of 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus the Sonata's 3.7. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates place the Altima's annual repair expenses at $483, though data for the Sonata is not available. While both vehicles share multiple common issues, the Altima's stronger reliability score and lower complaint rate make it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Nissan Altima scores 11 points higher in reliability
2Nissan Altima has 2.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

0Hyundai Sonata

—

2Nissan Altima

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Altima: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Altima at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Hyundai Sonata	Nissan Altima
Reliability Score	67/100	78/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	20	20
Complaints per 10k Sold	3.7	1.6
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	8

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Altima?

The Nissan Altima shows a significant number of complaints in the electrical system and air bags categories, with 142 and 49 complaints respectively, and a notable 18 crash-linked incidents related to air bags. In contrast, the Hyundai Sonata has a higher overall complaint volume, with the engine category standing out at 239 complaints, though only 2 are crash-linked. Both vehicles report issues in the power train and steering, but the Altima has more crash-linked incidents in service brakes and air bags, indicating potential safety concerns. Meanwhile, the Sonata displays a broader distribution of issues, particularly in engine and electrical systems, though it has fewer crash-linked concerns in these areas compared to the Altima.

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Altima common problem areas comparison
Component	Hyundai Sonata	Nissan Altima
ENGINE	0.8Very Low	0.1Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	0.3Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.4Very Low	0.2Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.1Very Low
SEATS	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	—None
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—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: Hyundai Sonata or Nissan Altima?

Independent repair cost data suggest that the Nissan Altima incurs an average annual repair cost of $483, with an expected 0.3 repair visits per year and a 12% likelihood of major repairs. While specific figures for the Hyundai Sonata are unavailable, the Altima's costs offer a benchmark for comparison. Considering the Altima's low repair frequency and manageable major repair risk, it provides a reliable option for budget-conscious buyers. If the Sonata's repair costs and frequency align closely with the Altima's, it would need to offer similar or lower risks to be a better value. However, without specific data, the Altima appears to be a safer bet for minimizing unexpected repair expenses.

How Does Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Altima Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Altima year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Hyundai Sonata	Nissan Altima	Edge
2025	76/1000R / 16C	78/1001R / 4C	Nissan Altima
2024	73/1001R / 41C	82/1001R / 31C	Nissan Altima
2023	62/1002R / 87C	84/1000R / 24C	Nissan Altima
2022	65/1003R / 95C	83/1000R / 20C	Nissan Altima
2021	64/1004R / 151C	79/1002R / 53C	Nissan Altima
2020	62/1005R / 163C	71/1006R / 162C	Nissan Altima
2019	71/1000R / 144C	72/1008R / 230C	Nissan Altima
2018	61/1003R / 353C	76/1002R / 217C	Nissan Altima
2026(predicted)	70/100(predicted)	81/100(predicted)	Nissan Altima

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Sonata scored 76/100 and the 2023 Nissan Altima scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Sonata vs the Nissan Altima?

If you prioritize reliability and lower running costs, the Nissan Altima is a compelling choice. With a reliability score of 83/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $483, the Altima stands out as the more dependable option. The major repair risk is also relatively low at 12%, and owner complaints are minimal at 1.6 per 10,000 sold. These factors suggest that the Altima is likely to offer a more hassle-free ownership experience. On the other hand, if you're more concerned with features or prefer the design and driving experience of the Hyundai Sonata, you should be aware of its lower reliability score of 69/100. The Sonata has a higher rate of owner complaints at 3.7 per 10,000 sold, which could indicate more frequent issues. Consider the types of issues reported, such as engine and electrical system problems, before making your decision.

Hyundai Sonata vs Nissan Altima: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Sonata 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 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Sonata or the Nissan Altima?: Both have 20 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Hyundai Sonata or the Nissan Altima?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus 3.7 for the Hyundai Sonata. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Hyundai Sonata or Nissan Altima safer?: Both the Hyundai Sonata 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.

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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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