Model-year record

2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV
See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.
This page shows records, not a buy or avoid call.
The same model year can include a well-kept car and a neglected one. Use these records to plan what to check. Use the specific-car check when you know the mileage.
Complaints filed
171
Reports to NHTSA, 2020
Safety recalls
8
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
118
EPA estimate
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (50% of 171 reports), followed by steering (12%).
+ 12 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 171 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11306292, ODI 11683606, ODI 11606594, ODI 11433995, ODI 11429891.
Individual complaint reports(171)
Showing the 50 most recent reportsFuel/Propulsion SystemJul 2026 · ODI 11748422Details +Close −
GM installed Advanced Monitoring Software on the car rather than replace the battery. The software detected a battery fault. Under the battery recall if a fault is detected the battery is replaced free of charge. GM is refusing to replace the battery. Now the car will not move.
- Reported
- Jul 2026
- Incident date
- Jun 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemJun 2026 · ODI 11745256Details +Close −
General Motors is using the arbitrary 6,213-mile tracking window of Recall 944 to deny coverage for a diagnosed Cell Section 3 hardware failure at 123,582 miles. However, this vehicle is directly impacted by the failure parameters outlined in the expanded GM Safety Recall N242470160 / N242470162, where GM openly acknowledges to federal regulators that the advanced diagnostic software has failed to properly detect defective battery modules. By denying a physical battery replacement when a manufacturing defect is caught during a mandatory corporate software reconfiguration, GM is violating the spirit and legal intent of their ongoing federal safety recall campaigns.
- Reported
- Jun 2026
- Incident date
- Jun 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringJun 2026 · ODI 11742825Details +Close −
Steering stiffened over several weeks. Then steering wheel would not automatically return to center while turning while driving. Diagnosed by service as a fault with steering column. This is apparently very common in Chevy Bolts.
- Reported
- Jun 2026
- Incident date
- May 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
StructureJun 2026 · ODI 11742485Details +Close −
After putting washer fluid in, my son closed the hood. The hood did not latch. He tried again but it still didn’t latch. He lifted the hood to find the hood striker had come off the hood. There was nothing to hold the hood closed. I’ve included photos of the striker welds. There is no rust or tearing of the welds. It just separated. It was a bad weld.
- Reported
- Jun 2026
- Incident date
- Jun 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Power TrainJun 2026 · ODI 11741473Details +Close −
When driving the car through a busy intersection there was a sudden, brief surge of acceleration, followed by deceleration and the vehicle cutting all motor power and becoming inoperable. The MIL lamp illuminated and the "Ready" light went out. I was unable to move the vehicle out of traffic until I got out and disconnected / reconnected the 12v battery to reset the car systems. The problem is difficult to reproduce, happening randomly, sometimes with multiple months between incidents. The incidents happen with no warning, and there are no other symptoms associated with the issue. The dealer mechanic indicated it is likely the issue indicated in Chevrolet TSB 19-NA-220, indicating the root cause is the resolver feedback connector on the electric drive unit damaged during vehicle assembly.
- Reported
- Jun 2026
- Incident date
- May 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Vehicle Speed ControlMay 2026 · ODI 11738205Details +Close −
Accelerating to merge onto the highway the accelerator pedal got stuck under the all weather mat (provided and installed by the manufacturer). When I took my foot off the pedal the vehicle continued to accelerate. I had to break against the force of the motor trying to accelerate until I was going slow enough for the car to allow me to put it into park.
- Reported
- May 2026
- Incident date
- May 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SuspensionMay 2026 · ODI 11736562Details +Close −
Rear shock absorbers failed with only 8009 miles on vehicle
- Reported
- May 2026
- Incident date
- May 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Fuel/Propulsion SystemMay 2026 · ODI 11736147Details +Close −
I purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV in late 2023, already equipped with GM's recall diagnostic software (part of NHTSA Recall 21V650), which monitored battery health and limited charging to 80%. After the monitoring period, the software detected critical voltage variation failures across all 5 battery cell module rows. The dealer (Lee Johnson KIA, Kirkland WA) opened a TAC case (#9-14753041951), GM authorized a full high voltage battery replacement, and the work was completed on May 27, 2025 at no charge (Job Card 603815). Despite the replacement being triggered entirely by recall-installed software and authorized through GM's own TAC process, GM classified the repair as a standard warranty repair rather than a recall repair — denying me the fresh 8-year/100,000-mile parts warranty that applies to recall battery replacements.
- Reported
- May 2026
- Incident date
- May 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemApr 2026 · ODI 11732423Details +Close −
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that the vehicle's charge was designed to last for 259 miles, but failed to exceed 100 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V812000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle recently failed to charge, with an error message that the vehicle was unable to charge displayed. The contact stated that the recall repair failed to correct the issue. The dealer was contacted, and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
- Reported
- Apr 2026
- Incident date
- Apr 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemApr 2026 · ODI 11732425Details +Close −
VEHICLE FAILS TO CHARGE. Receiving error message that the vehicle fails to accept a charge. I've attempted charging using 3 separate chargers and all fail. This issue has been in service at numerous dealerships with no resolve. I was able to charge previously at a reduced rate but now the battery will no longer accept a charge and gives me an error message.
- Reported
- Apr 2026
- Incident date
- Apr 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemApr 2026 · ODI 11730613Details +Close −
This is the second time since owning car this has happened the recall battery is not working again this time me and my sister were at the gas station were I work and this is all on camara at Chevron gas station were I work I went inside sister stayed in car it started making a buzzing sound under my dash car shut off windows wouldn't go down locked doors could not get car to turn on trapped us in car this is scary and smelled a wire burning smell started to get scared pounded on window couldn't get out ! Couldn't unlock doors this is very scary tried hitting window and it would not break we were stuck this has happened once before car just needed plug in to dealership computer to reset car it was fine for 2weeks and bam a month later I'm again having to take it back to have it reset because of this battery recall it's not fixed I still owe 14k for car I totally have been ripped off it's scary that these cars catch fire and u can not get out! Can't unlock doors windows nothing and u just get stuck I don't feel safe whatsoever in this car
- Reported
- Apr 2026
- Incident date
- Apr 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringJan 2026 · ODI 11713269Details +Close −
Steering rack started failing: did not return to center out of slow corners. Basically I could do hands-free circles in a parking lot. Dealer confirmed the steering rack was bad and replaced it under warranty. Out of sweeping corners this can be a safety issue as it only got worse over time. No warning lights nor other indication of the problem.
- Reported
- Jan 2026
- Incident date
- Jan 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Power TrainJan 2026 · ODI 11709509Details +Close −
While waiting to turn left at a light and driving in "L" (one pedal) mode, I started to release the break in anticipation of oncoming lanes clearing, as I lifted the pedal the car lurched into the intersection. The Bolt normally accelerates very gently in L mode when no break is applied, but does not lurch forwards like this under normal conditions. The breaks did work, and I was able to stop, but I was now in the middle of the intersection and slightly encroaching into oncoming lanes. I tried to accelerate to pull through, but the car did not respond. After several second of frantically pushing the accelerator, the car slowly and jerkily moved forward and cleared the intersection. My Chevy dealer says this is a known problem with service bulletin "Chevrolet TSB 19-NA-220". In my opinion this is incredibly dangerous and should have been recalled. However, there is no recall that I can find and outrageously Chevy will not cover this manufacturing defect under warranty as they specifically exclude wiring harnesses due to past issues with rodent damage, and they are hiding behind that rule.
- Reported
- Jan 2026
- Incident date
- Jan 2026
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemJan 2026 · ODI 11708736Details +Close −
See attached document for complaint.
- Reported
- Jan 2026
- Incident date
- Nov 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringNov 2025 · ODI 11698122Details +Close −
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle’s steering system (specifically the electric power steering assist and/or steering rack assembly) began exhibiting stiffness, resistance, and intermittent loss of assist while turning. The steering system is still installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request by NHTSA, GM, or a dealer representative. ⸻ How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The loss or inconsistency of steering assist makes it difficult to maintain control of the vehicle, especially at low speeds and during turns. The steering intermittently binds or jerks, creating a risk of collision with other vehicles, pedestrians, or fixed objects. Because steering is essential for directional control, any failure or unpredictability in the system poses a direct safety hazard to the driver and others on the road. ⸻ Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue has been observed by the owner and noted by a GM Certified dealer during inspection. The symptoms (binding and abnormal steering resistance) were reproduced during driving and while stationary. The dealer acknowledged abnormal steering behavior but initially denied warranty coverage despite the vehicle being sold as Certified Pre-Owned. ⸻ Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, the vehicle was inspected by a GM Certified dealership that completed the original certification inspection and later reviewed the steering concern. The component has not been examined by police or insurance representatives at this time, but GM and NHTSA inspection is welcomed.
- Reported
- Nov 2025
- Incident date
- Nov 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringSep 2025 · ODI 11686558Details +Close −
Steering very stiff will not return to center on its own. Seems to be the steering rack. Not returning to center seems dangerous in certain situations. This is a 2020 vehicle but seems to be a common problem on all years Bolt EV/EUV.
- Reported
- Sep 2025
- Incident date
- Sep 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemAug 2025 · ODI 11683892Details +Close −
High-voltage battery failure left Bolt EV immobilized after recall fix: Our 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV (VIN: [XXX] ) became completely immobilized on [XXX], due to high-voltage battery failure. The vehicle previously underwent all recall remedies, including a full propulsion battery replacement in May 2023, but less than two years later the same issue has reoccurred. This failure left us stranded and unable to operate the car. Loss of propulsion without warning presents a serious safety risk, particularly if it were to occur while driving at speed. Out of concern for fire risk, the dealer (Colonial Chevrolet in Milford, CT) parked the disabled vehicle approximately 500 feet away from other cars and structures. The dealer diagnosed the failure as HV battery pack malfunction and confirmed the pack requires replacement. The vehicle remains in their custody and is available for inspection upon request. GM Customer Assistance has denied two separate repurchase claims (case #[XXX] and #[XXX]), despite the prolonged immobilization and repeated delays. The car has been inspected by Colonial Chevrolet and GM representatives. Despite prior recall service and battery replacement, the Bolt is inoperable again, raising concerns that the recall remedy was ineffective and that other Bolt EV owners may face the same hazard. No warning lamps or error messages appeared prior to failure. The vehicle simply would not start on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Reported
- Aug 2025
- Incident date
- Jun 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemAug 2025 · ODI 11683606 · fireDetails +Close −
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, the vehicle exploded. The contact believed the failure was due to the battery. The front left tire message was displayed. The battery was previously replaced. The local dealer was contacted regarding the battery purchase. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer. La Quinta Chevy Cady Service, 79225 CA-111, La Quinta, CA 92253, to obtain the service records, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries, police report filed, or airbag deployments. The manufacturer was contacted, who filed an incident report. The failure mileage was approximately 53,030.
- Reported
- Aug 2025
- Incident date
- Aug 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- Fire
SteeringAug 2025 · ODI 11680182Details +Close −
The steering wheel fails to return to center after turns. This requires constant manual correction to re-center the vehicle, which increases the risk of overcorrection or unintended lane departure. There are no warning lights or noise, and the issue does not appear to be related to alignment, tires, or pressure. Many other Chevrolet Bolt owners are reporting the same behavior, pointing to a potential defect in the steering gear or rack. This is an very serious safety hazard that could result in loss of vehicle control and death. GM has not issued a recall or service bulletin, and repairs are extremely expensive.
- Reported
- Aug 2025
- Incident date
- Aug 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringJul 2025 · ODI 11676460Details +Close −
The steering wheel intermittently sticks and fails to return to center after turns or minor corrections, especially at low to moderate speeds. This requires constant manual correction to re-center the vehicle, which increases the risk of overcorrection or unintended lane departure. There are no warning lights or noise, and the issue does not appear to be related to alignment, tires, or pressure. Many other Chevy Bolt owners are reporting the same behavior, pointing to a potential defect in the steering gear or rack. This is a serious safety hazard that could result in loss of vehicle control. GM has not issued a recall or service bulletin, and repairs are expensive.
- Reported
- Jul 2025
- Incident date
- Jul 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Visibility/WiperJul 2025 · ODI 11675125Details +Close −
The backup/360 camera intermittently but frequently fails to turn on, showing a black screen instead with a crossed out camera icon. This makes it very difficult to back up safely and puts bystanders at risk. This problem has not yet been evaluated by a dealer, but there are numerous other reports of the issue online. There have been no other warning lights or issues.
- Reported
- Jul 2025
- Incident date
- Jul 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Unknown Or OtherJul 2025 · ODI 11674495Details +Close −
The car has 80,000 miles. The backup camera has always had an intermittent issue after rain but now has stopped working. I cannot see properly to back up. I understand that this is an issue with quite a few Chevy Bolts and can/has caused problems with backing accidents. I also understand that the company has known about this for a while, but has done nothing about the issue.
- Reported
- Jul 2025
- Incident date
- Jul 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringJul 2025 · ODI 11674016Details +Close −
Steering would not return to center after a turn only for LEFT turns, even at higher speeds. Steering would be sticky at low speeds. Resulted in challenging to predict cornering particularly for left turns. Manufacturer replaced steering gear under warranty. OK now.
- Reported
- Jul 2025
- Incident date
- Jun 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringJul 2025 · ODI 11673027Details +Close −
I first noticed an issue with the steering wheel not returning to center after a turn, and also when in a slow sweeping curve that the wheel would hold the position and keep in the turn/curve unless corrected by manually turning it straight. I had new tires installed on 11/6/2024 and the alignment was checked and was correct. The tires that I chose turned out to be way harsher riding and noisy then the OEM's so I went with a different tire that was more EV specific. Nothing changed in regards to the steering issue. I checked online at the Chevy Bolt EV forum site to see if anyone else was having this problem and it appears to be a common issue with these cars. The steering rack should not be failing after 33K miles of use. It creates an unsafe condition when the steering does not return to center after a turn, or proceeding through a curve, and I'm sure it will only get worse as time/miles go by. I have a 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV that does not do this.....yet....but I have less than 2k miles on that vehicle.
- Reported
- Jul 2025
- Incident date
- Nov 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Service BrakesJun 2025 · ODI 11667295Details +Close −
Right brake caliper sticking intermittently, causing massive vibration in steering wheel and a caliper too hot to touch. In doing research on the Chevy Bolt forum, there were many people talking about this issue. In fact, GM issued a TSB about this issue, but when I entered my VIN in the GM site, it said that my VIN as not impacted; however, it was! I suggest that the NTSB do a further investigation to include all VINs affected with this issue. I had to spend several hundred dollars for a repair shop to replace the right brake caliper. Since the repairs were completed, I've had no issues whatsoever. Thank you.
- Reported
- Jun 2025
- Incident date
- Jun 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Hybrid Propulsion SystemMay 2025 · ODI 11663413Details +Close −
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "Propulsion Power Reduced - Service Soon" was displayed, and check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon investigation, it was discovered that the power output was limited. Despite the failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The contact was then informed that the battery replacement was on an indefinite backorder. The contact was not provided an estimate for when the battery would become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 25,100.
- Reported
- May 2025
- Incident date
- May 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringApr 2025 · ODI 11654453Details +Close −
Steering wheel does not return to center on its own after a turn. The wheel will remain turned, and the car will continue turning, until it is forced back to center by the driver.
- Reported
- Apr 2025
- Incident date
- Apr 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Unknown Or OtherMar 2025 · ODI 11651525Details +Close −
Backup camera system repeatedly shows as unavailable and may cause death due to low visibility.
- Reported
- Mar 2025
- Incident date
- Mar 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemMar 2025 · ODI 11648731Details +Close −
This car several times while driving has shaken and then shifted into neutral. I have had to pull the car off to the side of the road during normal vehicle operation. The car will then not shift into drive. There is a warning sign "Conditions Not Correct For Shift." The first incident was March 2023. The vehicle was towed to a Chevrolet dealer and the power inverter module was replaced under warranty. This next occurred in December 2024. The vehicle was towed to a dealer again and reprogrammed. The cost was $400. The vehicle was fine for two months and about 1,000 miles when it happened again in March 2025. This time the dealer states that the engine harness needs to be replaced for about $1,500 (not covered under warranty). These incidents all occur while driving the vehicle (it has happened while approaching an intersection and once while going through an intersection).
- Reported
- Mar 2025
- Incident date
- Mar 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemMar 2025 · ODI 11647627Details +Close −
On January 8, 2025 the battery in my car began to fail and had a message in the display to take it to my dealer. I drove it to the nearest dealer on January 10, 2025, about 10 miles (Billion Automotive in Iowa City.) While driving the power steering and braking began to fail. The dealer said that GM would need to replace the battery. It has been at the dealer for 2 months, and I was told today that it will be at least another 2 months before GM will replace the battery. The car is well under warranty.
- Reported
- Mar 2025
- Incident date
- Jan 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringFeb 2025 · ODI 11644507Details +Close −
The steering doesn't return to center when making turns on occasion. This issue can cause an overcorrection, this does seem to be a fairly common issue seen in various forums and appears to be a very expensive fix.
- Reported
- Feb 2025
- Incident date
- Feb 2025
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringFeb 2025 · ODI 11640288Details +Close −
Steering sticks and does not return to center in sweeping turns. Clicking noise over bumps in very cold weather (may or may not be related--steering issue most concerning). Most prominent at higher speeds (for example, getting off of the highway) but occurs at any speed. Once you turn the wheel, it will return slightly then stick in place. It takes a small amount of extra force to correct it back towards center. During these occurrences it may continue to stick or may begin to act normally after the "correction." I would be alright with providing the vehicle for inspection and/or demonstration if requested. The first time this happened, I was driving along twisting roads in northern Michigan. The occurrence caught me off guard, and I traveled over the lines. Personally, I was not in danger but if there was no shoulder or more traffic I feel this issue has the chance at being very dangerous. I am now aware of the issue and can keep it in mind while driving, but I've also noticed recently that the small "jutt" from correcting the wheel could cause an issue on snow and ice. I have not had a dealership look at the vehicle, as it seems to be a very common complaint about the Chevy Bolt, with a new part number being sold for replacement steering racks. I am willing to have it confirmed if needbe. There are no warnings of this occurrence. If the conditions are right, there is a very high chance it occurs. It started roughly around the 60,000 mile mark, and has been getting slightly worse over the past year. My vehicle is now at 98,000 miles.
- Reported
- Feb 2025
- Incident date
- Jul 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Power TrainDec 2024 · ODI 11632822Details +Close −
While traveling at highway speeds, my Chevrolet Bolt (2020 with 20K miles) made a clunking noise followed by a loss of speed. The clunking noise had previously been reported to the dealer, but they were not able to identify any issues at the time. During this incident, however, the car ultimately lost all speed, forcing me to pull over to the side of the highway. This sudden loss of propulsion posed a significant risk to my safety and the safety of other motorists, not only due to the loss of power, but because it happened at an interchange where multiple highways are connecting. I was left on the side of the road waiting for a tow because the car was inoperable. Prior to this sudden failure, there were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms, aside from the previously reported clunking noise. After this incident, the dealer diagnosed the issue as the one listed in the technical service bulletin, which states that "the terminals may not have been perfectly aligned during installation at the vehicle assembly plant." Unfortunately, this issue was not covered under the warranty and currently this problem is not a recall item for the Chevrolet Bolt.
- Reported
- Dec 2024
- Incident date
- Oct 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Unknown Or OtherDec 2024 · ODI 11631104Details +Close −
Doors would not unlock. Key fob did not work. Exterior door switch did not work. Interior switch did not work. It was raining that day. After the car dried out the locks worked again.
- Reported
- Dec 2024
- Incident date
- Dec 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Exterior LightingNov 2024 · ODI 11627504Details +Close −
This car has One Pedal Driving (OPD) which allows you to slow the car to a stop, without using the brake pedal. The car activates the brake lights, based on sensors in the car which sense the deceleration. In this mode, the brake lights are NOT activated by any pedal action by the driver, only by the vehicle's actual deceleration. This all works great EXCEPT the fact that once the car comes to a stop, the brake lights turn off. This is obviously a hazard for any stopped driver and there are anecdotal cases of rear end collisions caused by the lack of brake lights. This problem is fixed in later models of this car. I presume that this issue could be fixed by a simple software update.
- Reported
- Nov 2024
- Incident date
- Nov 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
EquipmentNov 2024 · ODI 11626260Details +Close −
About one month ago (ironically at about the same time Enel X pulled out of the US and Canada) we noticed a burning smell when we charged our Bolt, at home, using our JuiceBox type 2 charger. At first we thought it was the car, but nothing appeared amiss. We charged the car 3-4 times during this month time period, and the smell was present every time. After the last charge (one week ago), I checked the NEMA receptacle and discovered it was partially melted and one prong of the plug was coated in black "tar". I turned off the breaker, removed the receptacle cover and the black wire was burnt and the plastic connector housing behind the receptacle was badly burnt. The charger, cord and plug, and receptacle are all available for inspection (although we plan to have the wiring repaired and a new charger installed soon). I believe if we had continued to use the charger it would have resulted in a fire in the garage - obviously a safety concern. I am unaware if this problem has been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center; however, I read in Consumer Reports other JuiceBox users have reported fires they believed were caused by the charger. At this time the charger has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. A licensed electrician is scheduled to inspect and repair the wiring within the next week. Aside from the smell there was no warning or message (the car charged normally). The smell began about a month ago, and was only present while charging. Note that a licensed, bonded electrician installed the wiring and plug receptacle for us in 2020.
- Reported
- Nov 2024
- Incident date
- Oct 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringNov 2024 · ODI 11623986Details +Close −
The steering gear has failed at only 43,000 miles and yes the car is available for inspection if needed. The steering binding is a safety issue, and if left along long enough, might fully bind up causing an accident. My local GM dealership has reproduced the issue and diagnosed the failure. There have been no warning lamps, messages, or other visual indications of the failure.
- Reported
- Nov 2024
- Incident date
- Oct 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringOct 2024 · ODI 11622766Details +Close −
steering wheel gear malfunction, will not return to center after turning left or right. will pull and stay in left or right turn position, forcing driver to turn steering wheel back to center intentionally
- Reported
- Oct 2024
- Incident date
- Sep 2021
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemOct 2024 · ODI 11620359Details +Close −
My backup camera started working intermittently for about a year and now has just stopped working completely. Searching online, this is a very widespread issue with Bolt EV and EUV owners, happening as early as immediately after the car was purchased.
- Reported
- Oct 2024
- Incident date
- Jul 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Unknown Or OtherOct 2024 · ODI 11617858Details +Close −
The rear/front camera sometimes stop working or froze and have to turn off the car, to reset, usually happens when it rains
- Reported
- Oct 2024
- Incident date
- Oct 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Unknown Or OtherSep 2024 · ODI 11615726Details +Close −
The cameras for the 360° view, front to sides and back, keep going out. It's been a repair now five times and it still came back. The dealership is running out of ideas of what to do to fix this. I think it's just a known issue that they can't seem to fix. The main issue is the front camera goes out completely and then on mine, the left side camera goes out and is just black where the front camera will be green and not functioning. I think the module that processes data isn't properly made to handle the amount of video inputs coming in and it bugs out. It seems that it's worse when the temperature swing is too much. Currently it's the temperature of hot above 90° the car gets very warm obviously.
- Reported
- Sep 2024
- Incident date
- Dec 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringSep 2024 · ODI 11615728Details +Close −
Pulls to the right when accelerating too much. Even after alignment.
- Reported
- Sep 2024
- Incident date
- Dec 2023
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemSep 2024 · ODI 11615685Details +Close −
The reverse camera (and all cameras) is no longer working. This is a required safety feature and thousands of Bolt owners have reported this on Chevy forums and Reddit groups.
- Reported
- Sep 2024
- Incident date
- Sep 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
SteeringSep 2024 · ODI 11613225Details +Close −
The steering wheel does not return to the center on its own and keep stuck in which direction it is turned. The steering wheel also produces types of clunking noises when the car is standing or at a slow speed, and if you move the steering wheel left and right, it gives clunk clang clank clunk noise. it is very much a safety issue and can create a big accident. I have not taken it to the dealer, but will make an appointment to see what the dealer says. It’s been like this for over a month but now it’s getting a little louder
- Reported
- Sep 2024
- Incident date
- Sep 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemAug 2024 · ODI 11611119Details +Close −
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while driving approximately 4 MPH and exiting the driveway, the check engine warning light and the check gear shifter warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the negative 12V battery cable had short circuited and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
- Reported
- Aug 2024
- Incident date
- Jul 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Vehicle Speed ControlAug 2024 · ODI 11609307Details +Close −
See attached document for complaint
- Reported
- Aug 2024
- Incident date
- Jul 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Electrical SystemAug 2024 · ODI 11606594 · fireDetails +Close −
I narrowly escaped a home and vehicle fire when my vehicle charging port received extensive damage from a Mustart SAE J1772 Level 2 EVSE Portable Electric Vehicle Charger. The charging plug overheated and experienced meltdown. The Mustart unit became so hot that my vehicle charging port charred and fused to the Mustart charging plug. The charging head became very brittle, cracked exposing seals, and leaked oil down the vehicle charging port. Even though the charging head is now melted and broken, the charger does not register a fault, and still shows a green light if plugged into the wall. My first warning of a problem was the smell of burning plastic, oil leaking and what looked like smoke coming from the charging head. I immediately unplugged the charger from the wall, but could not remove the charging head from the vehicle charging port because it was fused to the car. I tried to shift the vehicle out of Park and into neutral to move the vehicle away from my home, but the vehicle would not shift with the plug still attached. Even though unplugged from the wall, the Bolt kept beeping, indicating an issue with the charger/port. Fearing a physical short in the charging circuitry of the vehicle, the burning smell and potential for fire, I forcefully removed the charger from the vehicle by pulling on the charging handle with full human stregnth until separated. The plastic parts of both the charger and charging port were burnt and broken. My Chevy Bolt was repaired by a licensed technician at the dealer, who blamed me for the charging fault and damages. GM alleged the damage I caused to the charging unit during removal was pre-existing, causing a loose connection and short circuit. GM refused to repair the damaged charging port under warranty, claiming user error and abuse. I sent a request for refund and reimbursement of damages to Mustart on 8/05/2024 and will update this complaint after their official response.
- Reported
- Aug 2024
- Incident date
- Jun 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- Fire
Electrical SystemJul 2024 · ODI 11599343Details +Close −
The cameras around the car collectively stop working intermittently. When I try to access the cameras or put the car into reverse, I get a black screen with a camera with a line through it. It happens right after it has rained and remains that way for several days. There are not any warning lamps that come on during this time. This situation makes me feel extremely uncomfortable as I have difficulty backing the car up and ensuring that there is not any incoming traffic that I may run into. This can be reproduced, but a dealer has not inspected it yet. Looking at online forums, it would appear this is a common issue that cost several thousand dollars to repair.
- Reported
- Jul 2024
- Incident date
- Jul 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Back Over PreventionJun 2024 · ODI 11596479Details +Close −
Putting car into reverse, rear camera starts to glitch sporadically. Very dangerous when this happens in a busy parking lot. This car also features a 360 overhead view and this also glitches at the same time as reverse camera mode.
- Reported
- Jun 2024
- Incident date
- Jun 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Power TrainMay 2024 · ODI 11587057Details +Close −
The engine compartment wiring harness Part Number: 42765196 wiring shorted out due to the chaffing of wires in the harness. The dealer is replacing the harness but there is no known changes that will prevent this in the future. $3,000 repair bill. I have asked for the defective harness to be returned to me for examination. This is a major safety concern as in my case, the Chevrolet Bolt would not move either in forward or reverse (Note: the other electrical systems and battery continue to work. This failure happen in rush hour traffic and the vehicle was nearly hit by passing cars. There was no warning that the propulsion would entirely shut down. The dealer reported that they had seen this problem before. No one from the manufacturer are interested in this. A check engine light had come on the night before and I had set up an appointment with the dealer for the next day and add reported the vehicles' issues that I had observed. There is no warning to indicate that the problem would result in the complete loss of propulsion.
- Reported
- May 2024
- Incident date
- Apr 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
This page shows the latest 50 reports to keep it usable. The count above includes every complaint NHTSA has returned for this model year.
Recalls(8)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Latches/Locks/Linkages · 20V184000Details +Close −
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The door-handle cable inside the rear doors may be too long, allowing contact with the window when it is opened, possibly damaging the cable. A damaged cable may cause the rear door to open unintentionally when the rear window is opened. Additionally, it may cause the rear inside door handle to not work.
Risk: If the rear door opens while driving, or the door handle fails to open the rear door, there is an increased risk of injury to the rear passengers.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear inside door-handle cables, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A202298320.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Service Brakes · 20V808000Details +Close −
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. These vehicles may have an improperly cast front left brake caliper that can fracture during a high-pressure braking event.
Risk: If a brake caliper fractures and brake fluid is lost, the vehicle may experience reduced brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the casting lot number on the front left brake caliper and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202321400.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Seat Belts · 20V811000Details +Close −
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Electrical System · 21V650000Details +Close −
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Defective battery modules will be replaced by GM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 1, 2021 and June 23, 2023. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall 21V-560. GM's number for this recall is N212345940.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Structure · 22V930000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222383790.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Structure · 23V845000Details +Close −
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. This recall includes certain vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and, if necessary, install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust. Certain vehicles will also need a pretensioner cover installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under recall number 22V-930 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Owners may contact GM EV Concierge at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232421970.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Electrical System · 24V481000Details +Close −
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resulting in a battery fire.
Risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Dealers will reinstall the advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 1, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's numbers for this recall are N242443000 and N242443002.
Open full NHTSA recall record →Electrical System · 24V812000Details +Close −
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV vehicles previously repaired under Recall 21V-650. The installation of advanced diagnostic software may have failed. As such, the high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Dealers will reinstall advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N242470160.
Open full NHTSA recall record →A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
2 NHTSA investigations on record
Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
In October 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) on 2017-2020 Model Year (MY) Chevrolet Bolt vehicles based on complaints received alleging that the vehicles caught fire under the seating area while parked and unattended. At the time, ODI had received 2 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and several field reports. All complaints alleged vehicles caught fire during or after electrical charging.ODI's review found vehicle thermal events occurred during and/or at the end of the battery module charging cycle. The information learned from NHTSA and General Motors joint vehicle inspections prompted General Motors to file Recall 20V-701 on April 29, 2021. The remedy for this recall included 1) performing diagnostic procedures to identify and replace potentially defective battery cell-module assemblies and 2) installing onboard diagnostic software, designed to detect and warn owners regarding potential issues related to changes in battery module performance over time. Until this interim remedy became available for all affected vehicles, General Motors instructed their customers to enable ?Hilltop Reserve or ?Target Charge Level, based on the vehicle-equipped technology. Enabling these technologies would limit charging capacity of the battery module to a maximum of 90 percent. General Motors then continued to investigate the root cause of these battery cell module thermal events, which would lead them to their long-term recall remedy solution. Utilizing the information obtained from the Recall 20V-701 software update, General Motors and LG Energy Solutions,the supplier of the battery cell module pack along with LG Electronics,determined the root cause of the thermal events to be the result of two simultaneous manufacturing defects occurring in the same battery cell. The defect condition appears to be aggravated by routinely charging the battery to a full or nearly full state of charge after it has been substantially depleted. The two defects, located within the same battery cell module, would cause an internal short within the battery pack, resulting in the thermal events. The manufacturing process was changed to prevent the occurrence of these two defect conditions.On July 24, 2021, General Motors filed a defect information report recalling all 2017-2018 Chevrolet Bolt and certain 2019 Chevrolet Bolt vehicles with design level N2.1 battery cell produced at the LG Ochang, Korea plant. This remedy replaces defective battery cell-modules and will prevent potential thermal events from occurring during and/or at the end of the charge cycle. The recall (21V-560) includes vehicles that were remedied under 20V-701.General Motors continued to review new data after Recall 21V-560 and learned of an incident that occurred outside of the scope of the recall population. Additional analysis led General Motors and LGES to determine that the manufacturing defects defined by Recall 21V-560 were not isolated to one battery manufacturing plant. On August 21, 2021, General Motors filed a defect information report to expand the scope of recall 21V-560. The recall (21V-650) includes all 2019-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles. In view of the recall actions being taken by General Motors, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at nhtsa.gov under the following identification numbers:11230072, 11425524, 11339878, 11365622, 11364692, 11427180, 11429891, 11374956, 11407212, 11372429, 11425225, 11415800
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt EV | — | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 127 | 108 | 118 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
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Compare the year-by-year record
Open another year for its own evidence-gated decision. TireKick does not crown a best year from raw complaint totals.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Owners filed 171 NHTSA complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.
What are the most common problems on the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (50% of complaints) and steering (12%).
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV have?
8 recalls have been issued that affect the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV, covering components such as latches/locks/linkages. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV get?
The EPA rates the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV at 118 mpg combined.