Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 5 | — | 1 | Collision Avoidance | Too new |
| 2023 | 61 | typical | 3 | Electrical | Average |
| 2022 | 59 | −31% | 7 | Electrical | Average |
| 2021 | 67 | −55% | 5 | Electrical | Good |
| 2020 | 174 | typical | 8 | Electrical | Average |
| 2019 | 178 | typical | 6 | Electrical | Average |
| 2018 | 89 | — | 5 | Steering | Limited data |
| 2017 | 349 | — | 4 | Steering | Limited data |
* Complaints compared with the median Bolt EV year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Chevrolet Bolt EV problems
Latest Chevrolet Bolt EV recalls
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible…
Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The instrument panel may be missing the perforation on the underside of the panel cover that allows the passenger-side air bag to deploy properly.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Chevrolet Bolt EV should you avoid?
None of the Chevrolet Bolt EV years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Bolt EV?
2021 has the fewest complaints compared with other Bolt EV years at the same age, followed by 2022. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Chevrolet Bolt EV problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (404), steering (261) and fuel & propulsion system (190). Electrical complaints peak in the 2017 model year.
How many recalls has the Chevrolet Bolt EV had?
14 recalls across 2017–2027. The model year with the most is 2020. See all Chevrolet Bolt EV recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.