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

Based on our data, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 41/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

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

The Tesla Model S has more recalls (227) 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 S?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a lower complaint rate at 0.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 160 for the Tesla Model S. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model S: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Good

Tesla Model S

Mixed

Choosing between the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the Tesla Model S? 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 77/100 compared to 41/100. 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 S Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Tesla Model S is in its first generation, which began in 2013 and saw significant facelifts in 2017 and 2021. This long production run suggests that the Model S platform is mature, likely resulting in well-sorted reliability due to years of refinement and incremental improvements. In contrast, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is in its first generation, having debuted in 2023 with a facelift in 2025. Being early in its lifecycle, the Ioniq 6 may still be ironing out initial production issues, which is common in newer vehicles. Buyers might find the Model S to be more reliable, given its extensive development history.

Verdict

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is more reliable than the Tesla Model S, scoring 77/100 vs 41/100.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Tesla Model S, with an average reliability score of 75/100 versus the Model S's 41/100. Over its four-year span, the Ioniq 6 has experienced only 13 recalls and a remarkably low complaint rate of 0.9 per 10,000 sold, contrasting sharply with the Model S's 227 recalls and 160 complaints per 10,000 units. While both vehicles encounter issues with their electrical systems, the Model S also faces more frequent problems with forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control. This data suggests the Ioniq 6 is a more reliable choice, particularly in terms of recall history and owner satisfaction.

Key Differences

1Hyundai Ioniq 6 has 214 fewer total recalls
2Hyundai Ioniq 6 has 159.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Hyundai Ioniq 6 scores 36 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Hyundai Ioniq 6

—

0Tesla Model S

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

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

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model S at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Hyundai Ioniq 6	Tesla Model S
Reliability Score	77/100	41/100
Years Tracked	4	8
Total Recalls	13	227
Complaints per 10k Sold	0.9	160
Year Wins	3	0

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

The Tesla Model S exhibits a high volume of complaints, particularly in forward collision avoidance, vehicle speed control, and steering, each with significant numbers of crash-linked incidents, highlighting potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has relatively few complaints overall, with the electrical system being the primary issue, though it has minimal crash-linked reports. The Tesla Model S's airbag-related complaints, with nearly half linked to crashes, further underscore its safety challenges, a category where the Ioniq 6 has not reported significant issues. While both models face electrical system complaints, the severity and crash linkage in the Model S's other problem areas are far more pronounced.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model S common problem areas comparison
Component	Hyundai Ioniq 6	Tesla Model S
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	34High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.1Very Low	19.8High
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	18.1High
STEERING	—None	17.8High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.5Very Low	17.1High
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	11.1Above Avg
SUSPENSION	—None	9.5Above Avg
AIR BAGS	—None	3.6Average
POWER TRAIN	0.1Very Low	3.2Average
STRUCTURE	—None	2.4Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.9Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.8Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.7Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—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 S Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model S year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Hyundai Ioniq 6	Tesla Model S	Edge
2025	79/1003R / 30C	50/1007R / 94C	Hyundai Ioniq 6
2024	77/1005R / 33C	42/10019R / 316C	Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023	69/1005R / 54C	32/10043R / 1307C	Hyundai Ioniq 6

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 scored 79/100 and the 2025 Tesla Model S scored 50/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

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

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is your best choice. With a higher reliability score of 75/100, only 13 total recalls, and minimal owner complaints at 0.9 per 10,000 sold, it stands as a dependable option. This model is particularly suitable if you value a car with fewer issues and lower chances of unexpected repairs, especially given its top concerns are primarily with the electrical system and propulsion, which are less frequent. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the performance and features of the Tesla Model S and are willing to manage potential reliability issues, this might be the car for you. However, it has a lower reliability score of 41/100, a significantly higher rate of owner complaints at 160 per 10,000 sold, and a concerning 227 total recalls. Expect frequent attention to top issues like forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control. Choose this if you value innovation and can accommodate higher maintenance demands.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs Tesla Model S: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Ioniq 6 more reliable than the Tesla Model S?: Based on our data, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 41/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 or the Tesla Model S?: The Tesla Model S has more recalls (227) 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 S?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a lower complaint rate at 0.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 160 for the Tesla Model S. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Hyundai Ioniq 6 comparisons

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More Tesla Model S 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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