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, the car ultimately lost all speed, forcing me to pull over to the side of the highway. This sudden loss of propulsion pos…
2020 chevrolet Bolt EV powertrain problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 comfort from Chevrolet or the dealership that the issue will ever be fixed. The dealer initially told us that a software pa…
Our letter to GM: November 23, 2022 [XXX] Chairperson and CEO General Motors Corporation 100 Renaissance Center, P.O. Box 431301 Illinois, Detroit 48232-5170 Re: Bolt EV Battery Recall #N212345940 VIN: [XXX] Dear [XXX], We are extremely frustrated and disappointed in GM’s performance in replacing the defective and dangerous batteries in our 2020 Bolt EV. It has now been over 14 months since …
When I was parking my car on the street, in front of my house, my Chevy Bolt suddenly accelerated. Like it was full throttle. I slammed the brake pedal, didn't help. My Bolt pushed forward, then to the sidewalk, my parked 4000lbs van, that was in front of me (van had front wheels turned/pointing to the curb). My bolt continued accelerating for another few seconds, even that I was pressing brake p…
I am filing a complaint against GM. The following info is from the NHSTA website. Original recall date: Aug 20,2021. Manufacturer Recall Number N212345940. NHTSA Recall Number 21V650. Recall Status: Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available. I have waited over a year for my replacement battery. GM has seen an almost 15,000 vehicle surge in Bolt EV and EUV sales in the most recent financial quart…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2020 chevrolet Bolt EV?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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