Chevrolet Bolt EV vs Nissan Leaf: reliability compared
From 2017 to 2026, owners filed an average of 141 complaints per model year about the Chevrolet Bolt EV and 71 about the Nissan Leaf.
Side by side
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | Nissan Leaf | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2017-2026 | 2017-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 985 | 708 |
| Complaints per model year | 141 | 71 |
| Recalls | 13 | 13 |
| Years to avoid | 20172019 | 20192020 |
| Best years | None stand out | 2017 |
| Most common problem | Electrical | Electrical |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 120 MPGe combined (2023) | 103-121 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
| Bolt EV | Leaf | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 405 | 437 |
| Steering | 264 | 6 |
| Fuel system | 191 | 121 |
| Transmission | 86 | 52 |
| Brakes | 53 | 46 |
| Engine | 45 | 39 |
| Driver assistance | 37 | 55 |
Questions about the Chevrolet Bolt EV vs Nissan Leaf
Which is more reliable, the Chevrolet Bolt EV or the Nissan Leaf?
Between 2017 and 2026, the Chevrolet Bolt EV has 2 years to avoid and the Nissan Leaf 2. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Nissan Leaf drew fewer complaints per model year (71 vs 141), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Bolt EV or the Nissan Leaf?
From 2017 to 2026, the Chevrolet Bolt EV was covered by 13 recalls and the Nissan Leaf by 13.
What years of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf should you avoid?
Chevrolet Bolt EV: 2017 and 2019. Nissan Leaf: 2019 and 2020.
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