Is the Kia EV6 more reliable than the Tesla Model 3?

Based on our data, the Kia EV6 is more reliable with an average score of 57/100 compared to 54/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Kia EV6 or the Tesla Model 3?

The Tesla Model 3 has more recalls (113) compared to the Kia EV6 (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 Kia EV6 or the Tesla Model 3?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Tesla Model 3 has a lower complaint rate at 28.7 per 10,000 sold versus 48.9 for the Kia EV6. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model 3: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Kia EV6

Mixed

Tesla Model 3

Mixed

Choosing between the Kia EV6 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 compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Kia EV6 currently leads with an average score of 57/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model 3 Generations Compare?

The Tesla Model 3 is currently in its second generation, which began in 2024 following a significant refresh in 2023. This places it early in its generation cycle, where vehicles often experience first-year issues as new technologies and designs are refined. In contrast, the Kia EV6 is in its first generation, introduced in 2022 and set for a facelift in 2025. Being later in its cycle, the EV6 may benefit from having its initial bugs worked out, potentially offering more reliability. Buyers should consider that mature platforms like the EV6's tend to be well-sorted, while newer platforms like the Model 3's second generation might encounter teething problems.

Verdict

The Kia EV6 is more reliable than the Tesla Model 3, scoring 57/100 vs 54/100.

The Kia EV6 slightly edges out the Tesla Model 3 in reliability with an average score of 43/100 compared to the Model 3's 41/100. Despite having a higher owner complaint rate of 48.9 per 10,000 sold, the EV6 has experienced significantly fewer recalls, with only 8 over 5 years, as opposed to the Model 3's 113 recalls over 9 years. Both vehicles encounter issues with their electrical systems, but the Model 3 also frequently faces problems with forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control. While both vehicles have room for improvement, the EV6's lower recall rate and slightly higher reliability score make it a marginally better choice for those prioritizing reliability.

Key Differences

1Kia EV6 has 105 fewer total recalls
2Tesla Model 3 has 20.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Kia EV6 scores 3 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Kia EV6

—

1Tesla Model 3

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model 3: Which Is More Reliable?

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model 3 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Kia EV6	Tesla Model 3
Reliability Score	57/100	54/100
Years Tracked	5	9
Total Recalls	8	113
Complaints per 10k Sold	48.9	28.7
Year Wins	1	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model 3?

The Tesla Model 3 has a significantly higher number of complaints across various components compared to the Kia EV6, with notable issues in forward collision avoidance (841 complaints, 33 crash-linked) and vehicle speed control (511 complaints, 67 crash-linked). In contrast, the Kia EV6's most reported problem is with the electrical system, accounting for 204 complaints, though only 3 are crash-linked, indicating less severity in terms of crash association. While Tesla Model 3's steering and air bags also present substantial concerns with 57 and 46 crash-linked complaints respectively, the Kia EV6 shows fewer issues, with only minor concerns in power train and service brakes, each having low crash-linked incidents. Overall, while both vehicles face electrical system challenges, the Tesla Model 3 experiences a broader range of severe safety-related issues.

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model 3 common problem areas comparison
Component	Kia EV6	Tesla Model 3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	28.4High	3Low
POWER TRAIN	7.8Above Avg	0.6Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.3Very Low	6.1Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3.3Average	2.8Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.6Very Low	3.7Average
SERVICE BRAKES	1.8Low	2.1Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	2.6Low
AIR BAGS	0.4Very Low	1.7Low
SUSPENSION	—None	1.6Low
STRUCTURE	1Very Low	0.5Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	1.3Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.4Very Low	0.3Very Low
TIRES	0.4Very Low	—None
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None

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

How Does Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model 3 Reliability Compare by Year?

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model 3 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Kia EV6	Tesla Model 3	Edge
2025	69/1000R / 0C	67/1003R / 87C	Kia EV6
2024	59/1002R / 38C	62/1004R / 183C	Tesla Model 3
2023	52/1003R / 98C	57/10010R / 386C	Tesla Model 3
2022	46/1003R / 215C	50/10016R / 729C	Tesla Model 3
2026(predicted)	60/100(predicted)	62/100(predicted)	Tesla Model 3

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Kia EV6 scored 69/100 and the 2025 Tesla Model 3 scored 67/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Kia EV6 vs the Tesla Model 3?

If you prioritize a vehicle with fewer recalls, the Kia EV6 might be the better choice for you, with only 8 recalls compared to the Tesla Model 3's 113. However, it's important to note that the Kia EV6 has a slightly higher owner complaint rate of 48.9 per 10,000 sold, compared to Tesla Model 3's 28.7. This suggests that while the EV6 has fewer recalls, owners report more issues overall. If you're focused on minimizing issues with specific components, consider your priorities. Tesla Model 3 owners frequently report concerns with forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, whereas the Kia EV6 has more complaints related to its electrical system and power train. Ultimately, if reliability with fewer recalls is your priority, the Kia EV6 might fit your needs better, but if fewer owner complaints are more important, the Tesla Model 3 could be the way to go.

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model 3: Common Questions

Is the Kia EV6 more reliable than the Tesla Model 3?: Based on our data, the Kia EV6 is more reliable with an average score of 57/100 compared to 54/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Kia EV6 or the Tesla Model 3?: The Tesla Model 3 has more recalls (113) compared to the Kia EV6 (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 Kia EV6 or the Tesla Model 3?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Tesla Model 3 has a lower complaint rate at 28.7 per 10,000 sold versus 48.9 for the Kia EV6. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

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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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