2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 338 |
| 2018 | 87 |
| 2019 | 174 |
| 2020 | 172 |
| 2021 | 66 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 57 |
| 2027 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
51% of complaints: electrical system — 87 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20250828
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN "L" MODE BEFORE THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO THE WALL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200131
17% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 30 distinct reports on file.
12% of complaints: steering — 21 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO THE RETAINING WALL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20210330
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN "L" MODE BEFORE THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO THE WALL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200131
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
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.
Campaign 20V184000 — check if this car was fixed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
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.
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.
Campaign 20V808000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021.
Campaign 20V811000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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...
Campaign 21V650000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 22V930000 — check if this car was fixed
Pedestrian alert sounds
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.
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.
Campaign 23V845000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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...
Campaign 24V481000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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...
Campaign 24V812000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (87 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 20V184000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V808000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V811000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V650000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V930000 (seat belts, structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V845000 (seat belts, structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V481000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V812000 (electrical system) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 51% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.