Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet BOLT EV vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet BOLT EV and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chevrolet BOLT EV vs Toyota Camry: The Bolt EV averages 83.9 complaints per year with 38 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Bolt's issues often involve battery fires and steering failures, while the Camry's include power train and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet BOLT EV or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet BOLT EV
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is an electric hatchback that has been subject to a major battery recall, leading to many complaints about battery replacement delays and fire risk. Over 7 years, it has averaged 83.9 complaints per year, with electrical system issues dominating. Owners also report steering failures and propulsion problems. Living with this car means staying on top of recall fixes and being alert for sudden loss of power or steering.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a long history, but over 10 years it has averaged 205.6 complaints per year, more than double the Bolt's rate. Power train, engine, and brake issues are common, with some owners experiencing hesitation, shuddering, and brake problems. While the Camry has fewer recalls per year than the Bolt, the higher complaint volume suggests more frequent trips to the dealer for various systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet BOLT EV | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 587 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 38 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 83.9 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 11 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Chevrolet BOLT EV
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM258
- 02STEERING145
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM107
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER73
- 05POWER TRAIN47
Owners report battery-related issues, including delayed recalls for potential fires and software problems after battery replacements. One owner noted the car never worked correctly after the battery was changed. This matters because it can leave you stranded or waiting months for a fix.
There are reports of catastrophic ball joint failures at low speeds, causing the wheel to collapse and the axle to pull out. Another owner had steering issues after a software update. This is a serious safety concern that could lead to loss of control.
Complaints include long waits for battery replacement and reduced power propulsion warnings. One owner had a brand new Bolt with only 30 days of use showing 'reduced power propulsion' and charge complete issues. This can limit driving range and leave you unable to drive.
Issues with the Super Cruise hands-free driving system swerving without warning and failing on mapped roads. Also, check engine lights and reduced power messages. These electronic glitches can be distracting and undermine confidence in the car's reliability.
“General Motors is making brand new Bolt ev/Euvs using batteries that are supposed to be used to fix cars that could potential catch fire. They stated that the old vehicles effected by the recall would be given priority. I have had a bolt EUV on reserve that h…”
“General Motors is making brand new Bolt ev/Euvs using batteries that are supposed to be used to fix cars that could potential catch fire. They stated that the old vehicles effected by the recall would be given priority. I have had a bolt EUV on reserve that h…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnect to remove, and hesitation/shuddering with check engine light. These issues can leave you unable to start or drive the car reliably.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with several seconds of lag before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area due to the ABS system. Brake problems are safety-critical and can be costly to repair.
Multiple system malfunctions reported, including smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance failing simultaneously. This can overwhelm the driver and reduce safety features.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Chevrolet BOLT EV — 38 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-701. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
The risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more f…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling all 2017-2018 and certain 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
The risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-560. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-701 will still need to have the new remedy under recall 21V-560. GM will notify owners, and as an interim repair, beginning on November 17, 20…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire.
The risk: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust, and install a pretensioner cover as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between January 23, 2023 and April 25, 2023. Owners may cont…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet BOLT EV or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Bolt EV has fewer complaints per year (83.9) compared to the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the Bolt's issues are often more severe, involving battery fires and steering failures. The Camry's higher complaint rate means more frequent, but sometimes less critical, problems. In practice, the Bolt may require fewer dealer visits but with higher stakes, while the Camry may have more numerous but varied issues.
Key differences
- The Bolt EV has a higher rate of electrical system complaints, often tied to battery recalls and fire risk, while the Camry's top issue is power train, including key stuck and hesitation.
- Steering failures in the Bolt EV include catastrophic ball joint breaks, whereas Camry steering issues are less commonly reported as sudden failures.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs 24) and injuries (158 vs 11), but the Bolt's crashes may be underreported due to fewer vehicles.
- The Bolt EV has 38 recalls over 7 years (5.4 per year), while the Camry has 31 over 10 years (3.1 per year), meaning the Bolt is recalled more frequently.
- Check for any open recalls, especially the battery recall, and confirm the battery has been replaced with the updated version. Ask for documentation.
- Inspect the front suspension, particularly the lower ball joints, for any signs of wear or damage, as catastrophic failures have been reported.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park to ensure it doesn't stick, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Test the electronic parking brake engagement and disengagement, and listen for any clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recall repairs, especially the Bolt's battery replacement, have been completed.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the Bolt's steering and suspension components, and the Camry's power train and brake systems.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or delayed acceleration.
- For the Bolt, verify the battery range and charging functionality; for the Camry, check for smooth transmission shifting and brake response.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and check if the vehicle has been regularly serviced.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Chevrolet BOLT EV | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 60 | 64 |
| 2022 | 59 | 61 |
| 2021 | 67 | 157 |
| 2020 | 173 | 274 |
| 2019 | 178 | 395 |
| 2018 | 6 | 744 |
| 2017 | 44 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Chevrolet BOLT EV or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet BOLT EV vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet BOLT EV total complaints
- 587
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chevrolet BOLT EV total recalls
- 38
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet BOLT EV avg complaints/year
- 83.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet BOLT EV
- Chevrolet BOLT EV top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN