2016 Nissan Leaf vs 2016 Tesla Model S
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2016 Nissan Leaf
2016 Tesla Model S
Stories from the shop
If I'm picking between these two head-to-head, I'm taking the 2016 Tesla Model S. Reliability score's a solid 4.6 versus 4.0 on the 2016 Nissan Leaf, and the complaint counts back it up — 0 versus 35. That's not noise, that's a real gap between rivals built for the same buyer.
If you lean 2016 Nissan Leaf, know what you're getting into on brakes and electrical. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2016 Tesla Model S sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2016 Nissan Leaf or the 2016 Tesla Model S?
Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2016 Tesla Model S comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.6 versus 4.0. The margin is clear, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.
What goes wrong more often on the 2016 Nissan Leaf?
Compared to the 2016 Tesla Model S, the 2016 Nissan Leaf sees more reported issues in brakes and electrical. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2016 Tesla Model S?
On the categories we tracked, the 2016 Tesla Model S doesn't show meaningfully more complaints than the 2016 Nissan Leaf. The two are running close.
Which has more recalls?
The 2016 Tesla Model S has more active recalls (2 vs 1). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $1,300 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.