Is the Hyundai Ioniq 6 more reliable than the Tesla Model 3?

Based on our data, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 54/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 or the Tesla Model 3?

The Tesla Model 3 has more recalls (113) compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (13). 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 Hyundai Ioniq 6 or the Tesla Model 3?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a lower complaint rate at 0.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 28.7 for the Tesla Model 3. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model 3: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Good

Tesla Model 3

Mixed

Choosing between the Hyundai Ioniq 6 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 Hyundai Ioniq 6 currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Tesla Model 3 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Tesla Model 3 is in its second generation, introduced in 2024. This generation is relatively new, which may mean that it could still be working through initial production kinks typical of new platforms. The Model 3's first generation ran from 2017 to 2023, receiving a notable facelift in 2021. The 2023 refresh marked the start of the second generation, suggesting that some reliability issues from the first generation might have been addressed. In contrast, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is in its first generation, which began in 2023 and is set to receive a facelift in 2025. Being in the middle of its generation cycle, the Ioniq 6 may benefit from manufacturer improvements and refinements that typically stabilize reliability. A mid-cycle refresh often addresses early issues, making the Ioniq 6 potentially more reliable than a newly launched model.

Verdict

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is more reliable than the Tesla Model 3, scoring 75/100 vs 54/100.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 stands out as the more reliable choice compared to the Tesla Model 3, with an average reliability score of 75/100 versus Tesla's 54/100. The Ioniq 6 has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 0.9 per 10,000 sold compared to the Model 3's 28.7, alongside a notably lower recall count of 13 over four years, compared to 113 for Tesla over nine years. While both models share common issues with their electrical systems and forward collision avoidance, the Hyundai's overall reliability metrics suggest fewer headaches for owners. With no available independent repair cost estimates, the recall and complaint data serve as key differentiators in this comparison.

Key Differences

1Hyundai Ioniq 6 has 100 fewer total recalls
2Hyundai Ioniq 6 has 27.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Hyundai Ioniq 6 scores 21 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Hyundai Ioniq 6

—

0Tesla Model 3

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model 3: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model 3 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Hyundai Ioniq 6	Tesla Model 3
Reliability Score	75/100	54/100
Years Tracked	4	9
Total Recalls	13	113
Complaints per 10k Sold	0.9	28.7
Year Wins	3	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Tesla Model 3?

The Tesla Model 3 has a higher volume of complaints, with significant issues reported in forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, both having notable crash-linked incidents (33 and 67 respectively). In contrast, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has far fewer overall complaints, with the majority concerning the electrical system, yet only one incident linked to a crash. While both models have complaints related to their electrical systems, the Tesla Model 3 demonstrates a broader range of issues, particularly in safety-critical areas like steering and airbags. The Hyundai Ioniq 6's problem profile is relatively limited, with no significant safety concerns beyond a couple of crash-linked vehicle speed control incidents.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model 3 common problem areas comparison
Component	Hyundai Ioniq 6	Tesla Model 3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	6.1Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	3.7Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.5Very Low	3Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.1Very Low	2.8Low
STEERING	—None	2.6Low
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	2.1Low
AIR BAGS	—None	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
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None
ENGINE	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None

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

How Does Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model 3 Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model 3 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Hyundai Ioniq 6	Tesla Model 3	Edge
2025	79/1003R / 30C	67/1003R / 87C	Hyundai Ioniq 6
2024	77/1005R / 33C	62/1004R / 183C	Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023	69/1005R / 54C	57/10010R / 386C	Hyundai Ioniq 6
2026(predicted)	75/100(predicted)	62/100(predicted)	Hyundai Ioniq 6

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 scored 79/100 and the 2025 Tesla Model 3 scored 67/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs the Tesla Model 3?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the stronger choice. With a reliability score of 75/100, significantly fewer recalls (13 compared to Tesla's 113), and only 0.9 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, the Ioniq 6 offers a dependable driving experience. This makes it ideal for those who want to minimize potential issues and enjoy a smoother ownership journey. On the other hand, if cutting-edge technology and brand prestige are your main interests, you might still consider the Tesla Model 3 despite its lower reliability score of 54/100. However, be prepared for potentially higher inconvenience due to recurring issues like forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, alongside a higher complaint rate of 28.7 per 10,000 sold. For those willing to accept these trade-offs, the Model 3 could still be appealing.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model 3: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Ioniq 6 more reliable than the Tesla Model 3?: Based on our data, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 54/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 or the Tesla Model 3?: The Tesla Model 3 has more recalls (113) compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (13). 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 Hyundai Ioniq 6 or the Tesla Model 3?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a lower complaint rate at 0.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 28.7 for the Tesla Model 3. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Hyundai Ioniq 6 comparisons

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More Tesla Model 3 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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