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ProblemsByVinFile / 2020-CHEVROLET-BOLT-EVNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Chevrolet
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems
The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV has 171 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV has 171 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 86 complaints, typically surfacing around 30,263 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2020 Bolt EV?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 86 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–38,000 mi
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★5/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 HB FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 86 owner reports
· tends to show around 30,263 mi · ~$850 to fix
steering — 21 owner reports
· ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 11 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
cruise control — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 3,100 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 30,263 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2020 Bolt EV· powertrain
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,…
Yesterday, 27 December, the vehicle was presented to Capitol Chevrolet for service under this recall number 21v650 They did not repair anything. To the contrary, they reset software to gimp the vehicle battery capacity --and hence, range performance--to only 80%. The car…
Chevrolet issued a recall to replace a defective battery on our Chevrolet Bolt 2020. The recall was issued in April 2021 and we still have not received the new battery. The car is coming up on the end of its lease. We would like to buy out the lease but are not getting any…
I have called my dealer at least 10 times over the last 2 years and still get the same answer from them on when I will be getting my batteries changed out. They say they are on backorder and do not know when they will be available. I would thin more than 2 years is sufficient…
Had a problem with your 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles
If a brake caliper fractures and brake fluid is lost, the vehicle may experience reduced brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 86 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–38,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 86 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 30,263 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 171 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 30,263 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 86 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 30,263 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 30,263 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Bolt EV has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 171 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Chevrolet/Bolt EV.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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