Is the Chevrolet Bolt more reliable than the Tesla Model Y?

Based on our data, the Chevrolet Bolt is more reliable with an average score of 59/100 compared to 55/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Bolt or the Tesla Model Y?

The Tesla Model Y has more recalls (83) compared to the Chevrolet Bolt (30). 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 Chevrolet Bolt or the Tesla Model Y?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Tesla Model Y has a lower complaint rate at 24.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 24.5 for the Chevrolet Bolt. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Chevrolet Bolt or Tesla Model Y safer?

Both the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model Y received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Chevrolet Bolt vs Tesla Model Y: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Chevrolet Bolt

Mixed

Tesla Model Y

Mixed

Choosing between the Chevrolet Bolt and the Tesla Model Y? 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 Chevrolet Bolt currently leads with an average score of 59/100 compared to 55/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model Y Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Tesla Model Y is in its second generation, which began in 2025. Its first generation ran from 2020 to 2025, with a significant refresh in 2025. This places the Model Y early in its current generation cycle, where first-year issues are more common as manufacturers work out new platform kinks. The Chevrolet Bolt, on the other hand, is transitioning into its second generation, set to launch in 2026. Its first generation started in 2017 and received a refresh in 2022, suggesting a mature platform with well-sorted reliability by the end of its cycle. Buyers should consider these factors, as mature models like the late first-generation Bolt often exhibit fewer reliability issues compared to early-stage models like the current Model Y.

Verdict

The Chevrolet Bolt is more reliable than the Tesla Model Y, scoring 59/100 vs 55/100.

The Chevrolet Bolt slightly edges out the Tesla Model Y in reliability with an average score of 59/100 compared to the Model Y's 55/100. While both vehicles have nearly identical owner complaint rates, the Model Y has a significantly higher recall count with 83 recalls over seven years, compared to the Bolt's 30 over five years. Both models share common issues like electrical system and steering problems, but the Model Y also frequently reports forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control issues. These factors make the Bolt a marginally more reliable choice in the compact SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Chevrolet Bolt has 53 fewer total recalls
2Chevrolet Bolt scores 4 points higher in reliability
3Tesla Model Y has 0.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Chevrolet Bolt

—

1Tesla Model Y

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Chevrolet Bolt vs Tesla Model Y: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Bolt vs Tesla Model Y at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Bolt	Tesla Model Y
Reliability Score	59/100	55/100
Years Tracked	5	6
Total Recalls	30	83
Complaints per 10k Sold	24.5	24.3
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2023 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	3	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model Y?

The Tesla Model Y exhibits a higher number of total complaints compared to the Chevrolet Bolt, with significant issues in forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, where crash-linked incidents are notably higher, suggesting potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Chevrolet Bolt's most prominent issue lies within the electrical system, though it is less frequently linked to crashes, indicating a possibly less severe safety risk. Notably, the Tesla Model Y also faces substantial challenges in its steering and air bags, with a considerable number of these complaints being crash-linked, whereas the Chevrolet Bolt shows fewer safety-related complaints in these areas. Overall, the Model Y's problem profile suggests more critical safety concerns, particularly in components directly affecting vehicle control and crash prevention.

Chevrolet Bolt vs Tesla Model Y common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Bolt	Tesla Model Y
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	8.7Above Avg	2.4Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.9Very Low	6.3Average
STEERING	4.8Average	2.4Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.9Low	2.3Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.7Very Low	3.1Average
POWER TRAIN	2.4Low	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	1.9Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	1.6Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.5Very Low	0.6Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.9Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.7Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.2Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
TIRES	0.1Very Low	—None

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

How Does Chevrolet Bolt vs Tesla Model Y Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Bolt vs Tesla Model Y year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Bolt	Tesla Model Y	Edge
2023	64/1003R / 146C	53/10015R / 997C	Chevrolet Bolt
2022	61/10011R / 78C	50/10018R / 783C	Chevrolet Bolt
2021	61/1005R / 66C	46/10021R / 991C	Chevrolet Bolt

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt scored 64/100 and the 2023 Tesla Model Y scored 53/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Bolt vs the Tesla Model Y?

If you prioritize a slightly higher reliability score and fewer recalls, the Chevrolet Bolt might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 59 out of 100 and 30 total recalls, it edges out the Tesla Model Y, which has a score of 55 and a significantly higher number of recalls at 83. The Bolt also has a comparable rate of owner complaints at 24.5 per 10,000 sold, making it a solid option if you're looking for a more dependable vehicle. On the other hand, if you're drawn to Tesla's brand and features, and are willing to accept a higher risk of recalls and issues, the Model Y could still be appealing. It's important to note that both vehicles share similar top issues, such as problems with the electrical system and steering. However, if the allure of Tesla's technology and design outweighs these concerns for you, the Model Y could be worth considering despite its lower reliability score.

Chevrolet Bolt vs Tesla Model Y: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Bolt more reliable than the Tesla Model Y?: Based on our data, the Chevrolet Bolt is more reliable with an average score of 59/100 compared to 55/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Bolt or the Tesla Model Y?: The Tesla Model Y has more recalls (83) compared to the Chevrolet Bolt (30). 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 Chevrolet Bolt or the Tesla Model Y?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Tesla Model Y has a lower complaint rate at 24.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 24.5 for the Chevrolet Bolt. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Chevrolet Bolt or Tesla Model Y safer?: Both the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model Y received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Chevrolet Bolt comparisons

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More Tesla Model Y 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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