Last updated: 2026-03-04
Nissan Altima vs Tesla Model 3: Reliability Compared
Nissan Altima
Tesla Model 3
Choosing between the Nissan Altima and the Tesla Model 3? 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 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Nissan Altima and Tesla Model 3 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Altima is more reliable than the Tesla Model 3, scoring 78/100 vs 54/100.
The Nissan Altima significantly outperforms the Tesla Model 3 in terms of reliability, with an average reliability score of 83/100 compared to the Model 3's 41/100. The Altima has a far lower owner complaint rate of 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus the Model 3's 28.7, and it has only 20 recalls over nine years compared to the Model 3's 113. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates suggest the Altima is more budget-friendly, with an annual repair cost of $483, while no comparable data is available for the Model 3. These factors make the Altima a more reliable choice in the midsize sedan segment.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Altima has 93 fewer total recalls
- 2Nissan Altima has 27.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Nissan Altima scores 24 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Nissan Altima vs Tesla Model 3: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Nissan Altima | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 78/100 | 54/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 20 | 113 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 1.6 | 28.7 |
| Year Wins | 8 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Altima and Tesla Model 3?
The Tesla Model 3 exhibits a higher volume of total complaints compared to the Nissan Altima, with significant issues in forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, both of which have a substantial number of crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Altima shows fewer overall complaints, but its service brakes and air bags categories have a relatively higher proportion of crash-linked issues. Notably, the Model 3's electrical system and steering also present more problems than those observed in the Altima. Despite the differences in total complaints, both models have notable safety-related concerns, with the Model 3's forward collision avoidance standing out as a critical issue.
| Component | Nissan Altima | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 6.1Average |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 3.7Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 3Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.2Very Low | 2.8Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 2.6Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 2.1Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 1.7Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 1.6Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —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: Nissan Altima or Tesla Model 3?
How Does Nissan Altima vs Tesla Model 3 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Nissan Altima | Tesla Model 3 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78/1001R / 4C | 67/1003R / 87C | Nissan Altima |
| 2024 | 82/1001R / 31C | 62/1004R / 183C | Nissan Altima |
| 2023 | 84/1000R / 24C | 57/10010R / 386C | Nissan Altima |
| 2022 | 83/1000R / 20C | 50/10016R / 729C | Nissan Altima |
| 2021 | 79/1002R / 53C | 48/10020R / 626C | Nissan Altima |
| 2020 | 71/1006R / 162C | 54/10020R / 416C | Nissan Altima |
| 2019 | 72/1008R / 230C | 49/10021R / 569C | Nissan Altima |
| 2018 | 76/1002R / 217C | 46/10018R / 951C | Nissan Altima |
| 2026(predicted) | 81/100(predicted) | 62/100(predicted) | Nissan Altima |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Nissan Altima scored 84/100 and the 2025 Tesla Model 3 scored 67/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Nissan Altima vs the Tesla Model 3?
Nissan Altima vs Tesla Model 3: Common Questions
- Is the Nissan Altima more reliable than the Tesla Model 3?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Altima is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 54/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
- Which has more recalls, the Nissan Altima or the Tesla Model 3?
- The Tesla Model 3 has more recalls (113) 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 Nissan Altima or the Tesla Model 3?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Altima has a lower complaint rate at 1.6 per 10,000 sold versus 28.7 for the Tesla Model 3. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Nissan Altima comparisons
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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