Chevrolet Bolt EV vs Tesla Model 3: reliability compared
From 2017 to 2026, owners filed an average of 141 complaints per model year about the Chevrolet Bolt EV and 441 about the Tesla Model 3.
Side by side
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | Tesla Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2017-2026 | 2017-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 985 | 4,407 |
| Complaints per model year | 141 | 441 |
| Recalls | 13 | 36 |
| Years to avoid | 20172019 | None stand out |
| Best years | None stand out | 201920202021 |
| Most common problem | Electrical | Driver assistance |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 120 MPGe combined (2023) | 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
| Bolt EV | Model 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 405 | 573 |
| Steering | 264 | 419 |
| Fuel system | 191 | 73 |
| Transmission | 86 | 93 |
| Brakes | 53 | 574 |
| Engine | 45 | 45 |
| Driver assistance | 37 | 1,980 |
| Acceleration | 33 | 638 |
| Suspension | 20 | 386 |
Questions about the Chevrolet Bolt EV vs Tesla Model 3
Which is more reliable, the Chevrolet Bolt EV or the Tesla Model 3?
Between 2017 and 2026, the Chevrolet Bolt EV 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 Chevrolet Bolt EV drew fewer complaints per model year (141 vs 441), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Bolt EV or the Tesla Model 3?
From 2017 to 2026, the Chevrolet Bolt EV was covered by 13 recalls and the Tesla Model 3 by 36.
What years of the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Tesla Model 3 should you avoid?
Chevrolet Bolt EV: 2017 and 2019. Tesla Model 3: no year stands out.
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