Nissan Leaf vs Tesla Model 3: reliability compared
From 2017 to 2026, owners filed an average of 71 complaints per model year about the Nissan Leaf and 441 about the Tesla Model 3.
Side by side
| Nissan Leaf | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2017-2026 | 2017-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 708 | 4,407 |
| Complaints per model year | 71 | 441 |
| Recalls | 13 | 36 |
| Years to avoid | 20192020 | None stand out |
| Best years | 2017 | 201920202021 |
| Most common problem | Electrical | Driver assistance |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 103-121 MPGe combined (2026) | 111-139 MPGe combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Leaf | Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 437 | 573 |
| Fuel system | 121 | 73 |
| Driver assistance | 55 | 1,980 |
| Transmission | 52 | 93 |
| Brakes | 46 | 574 |
| Engine | 39 | 45 |
| Acceleration | 34 | 638 |
| Steering | 6 | 419 |
| Suspension | 2 | 386 |
Questions about the Nissan Leaf vs Tesla Model 3
Which is more reliable, the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Model 3?
Between 2017 and 2026, the Nissan Leaf has 2 years to avoid and the Tesla Model 3 0. The Tesla Model 3 has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Nissan Leaf drew fewer complaints per model year (71 vs 441), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Model 3?
From 2017 to 2026, the Nissan Leaf was covered by 13 recalls and the Tesla Model 3 by 36.
What years of the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model 3 should you avoid?
Nissan Leaf: 2019 and 2020. Tesla Model 3: no year stands out.
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