Accurate reliability prediction for tidal turbines is challenging due to scarce reliability data. To achieve commercialization, it is widely acknowledged that reductions in maintenance costs are vital and robust component reliability assessments can help drive this. For established technologies, reliability prediction either involves a statistical assessment of historical failure data, or a physics of failure approach based on dedicated accelerated testing. However, for low/mid Technology Readiness Level tidal developers these common approaches are difficult. Thus, developers require a method of making reliability predictions for components in the absence of tidal turbine specific failure data and physical testing results. This paper presents a failure rate model for a tidal turbine pitch system using empirical Physics of Failure equations, with associated uncertainties. Critical component design parameters are determined and their effects on the failure rate investigated via a sensitivity analysis. The modelled failure rate is then compared with wind turbine failure data from a series of turbines. The tidal turbine failure rate is approximately 50% lower, however high reliability requirements mean this is unlikely to be acceptable. The developed model can assist turbine developers in estimating failure rates and determining reliability critical design parameters for the failure critical pitch system. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.