Are 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV electrical problems common?

Yes. NHTSA lists 85 electrical system complaints for the 2019 model year, which is 48% of all 178 complaints filed for that year, the highest share among Bolt EV model years shown.

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV have a battery fire recall?

Yes. GM issued recall 20V701000 in 2020 and a follow-up recall 21V560000 in 2021, both addressing high-voltage battery fire risk when charged to full or near-full capacity.

How many fires have been reported for the 2019 Bolt EV's electrical system?

NHTSA complaint data shows 9 fires and 2 injuries tied to the electrical system on 2019 Bolt EVs.

At what mileage do 2019 Bolt EV electrical failures typically occur?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this component is 15,000 miles.

Is the recall a 'do not drive' order?

No. NHTSA recall data marks both campaigns as not requiring drivers to stop driving, but both instruct owners to park outside due to fire risk.

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 85 electrical system complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 48% of all 178 complaints filed for the year, including 9 fires and 2 injuries. Two related recalls (20V701000 and 21V560000) cover the high-voltage battery fire risk, with median failure mileage at 15,000.

Electrical System complaints: 85; 48% of 178
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 9
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 15,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

High-voltage battery packs have caught fire both while charging and while parked and disconnected, in some cases producing smoke, popping noises, and flames from underneath the rear of the car.
Owners report sudden loss of all propulsion power while driving, including one case on a highway where the vehicle could no longer accelerate.
The infotainment and backup-camera display has gone black or become unresponsive, locking out climate control and radio adjustments, with one owner describing a burning electrical smell from the dashboard.
A warning light for the high-voltage battery appeared during normal driving, leading to a battery replacement under warranty.
During DC fast charging, one owner reported a visible electrical arc jumping from the charging port toward their hand.
One owner described the car surging as if downshifting hard while in Drive, followed by smoke and fire from the front underbody.

When 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 30, 2019, latest Feb 11, 2026.

85 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2019 to Feb 2026; peak Jul 2021 (24).

Electrical System recalls for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV

NHTSA 21V560000Jul 23, 2021Electrical System57,414 vehiclesPark Outside
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
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.
Risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 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. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N212343880.
NHTSA 20V701000Nov 13, 2020Electrical System50,932 vehiclesPark Outside
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
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.
Risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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, 2020, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module 2 (HPCM2) to limit the full charge to 90%, free of charge. Owners are advised to 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%, or park outside, until the software update is completed. Owners were notified of the interim repair beginning November 17, 2020. The second notice was mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N202311730.

Electrical System complaints by Bolt EV model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2017117 (34%)
201831 (35%)
201985 (48%)
202098 (56%)
202133 (49%)
202230 (51%)
202323 (38%)

Frequently asked questions

Are 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV electrical problems common?: Yes. NHTSA lists 85 electrical system complaints for the 2019 model year, which is 48% of all 178 complaints filed for that year, the highest share among Bolt EV model years shown.
Does the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV have a battery fire recall?: Yes. GM issued recall 20V701000 in 2020 and a follow-up recall 21V560000 in 2021, both addressing high-voltage battery fire risk when charged to full or near-full capacity.
How many fires have been reported for the 2019 Bolt EV's electrical system?: NHTSA complaint data shows 9 fires and 2 injuries tied to the electrical system on 2019 Bolt EVs.
At what mileage do 2019 Bolt EV electrical failures typically occur?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this component is 15,000 miles.
Is the recall a 'do not drive' order?: No. NHTSA recall data marks both campaigns as not requiring drivers to stop driving, but both instruct owners to park outside due to fire risk.