2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#2 most-complained of 7 Bolt EV years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV has 174 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 83 out of 100 — #2 highest of 7 Bolt EV model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is electrical system (98 complaints, 56% of the total). Complaints report 7 crashes and 4 fires.
- Complaints
- 174
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 118
- 127 city / 108 hwy
Top 2020 Chevy Bolt EV problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System98 (56%)
- Fuel System31 (18%)
- Other23 (13%)
- Steering22 (13%)
- Engine16 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (6%)
- Airbags6 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (3%)
- Seat Belts6 (3%)
- Lane Departure5 (3%)
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V812000Oct 31, 2024Electrical System107 vehiclesPark Outside
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery thermal:management:software
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.
- NHTSA 24V481000Jun 27, 2024Electrical System72 vehiclesPark Outside
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
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.
- NHTSA 23V845000Dec 14, 2023Seat Belts6,771 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
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.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 127 MPG
- Highway
- 108 MPG
- Combined
- 118 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Bolt EV years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV ranks #2 of 7 among Bolt EV model years (Complaint Index 83/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 174 complaints and 8 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (98 complaints), fuel system (31 complaints), and steering (22 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 5,800 miles.
- Does the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV, most recently reported 2024, covering electrical system, seat belts, brakes, and structure & body.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
- EPA rates the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV at 118 MPG combined (127 city / 108 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $650. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.