This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Bolt EV | 13 |
| 2020 Bolt EV (this page) | 11 |
| 2021 Bolt EV | 10 |
| 2022 Bolt EV | 9 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This engineering information (EI) will assist GM to recover a small number of electric vehicle battery packs from customer-owned vehicles in the field for further engineering study and analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2020 Bolt EV's powertrain complaints cluster around three core issues: the battery, wiring, and drivability.
Battery fire risk: GM's recall N212345940 (August 2021) acknowledged defective battery cells with potential for spontaneous fire. As of November 2022, over 14 months later, no replacement batteries were available. GM's interim response—a software patch limiting charge to 80% and cutting range by roughly 20%—addresses nothing but frustration. Owners report GM barred charging in garages, rendering the vehicle impractical for many without costly home electrical upgrades, and offered no compensation or loaner vehicles.
Wiring and motor failures: Engine compartment wiring harness (Part No. 42765196) develops shorts from internal chaffing, killing propulsion entirely with zero warning. Dealers confirm it's a recurring known problem with no design fix. Motor terminal misalignment from the assembly plant has caused highway loss of propulsion at 20K miles. One harness short repair ran $3,000 out-of-pocket.
Drivability faults: Owners report sudden loss of propulsion with "Conditions Not Right For Shift" errors and abnormal lurching in one-pedal mode—both addressed only in service bulletins, not recalled. An unintended full-throttle acceleration event while parking struck another vehicle. Brake response was delayed or insufficient in several cases.
None of these non-battery issues carried factory warranty coverage at time of complaint.
Same Chevrolet Bolt EV powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Battery thermal runaway / fire risk
Defective battery cells with potential for spontaneous fire. GM issued recall N212345940 (NHTSA 21V650) in August 2021 due to battery fire risk. Interim mitigation was a software update that reduced battery charge capacity and range by approximately 20%, which owners report does not address the underlying safety hazard. No permanent repair remedy was available over 14+ months after recall announcement.
When: Recall issued August 2021; complaints filed through November 2022
Symptoms owners cite: Potential spontaneous battery fire; Reduced range after software mitigation (from 259 miles to approximately 207 miles); Vehicle unsafe to park in garage or near structures
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement remedy not available. Software patch reduces charging capacity as interim measure only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N212345940 / NHTSA 21V650 issued August 2021. Remedy status: Incomplete, not yet available. Interim restriction: do not charge in garage. No replacement vehicles or financial compensation offered for home infrastructure changes required to comply.
Powertrain wiring harness chaffing / electrical short
Engine compartment wiring harness (Part No. 42765196) develops internal shorts due to wire chaffing. Results in complete loss of propulsion with no warning. Dealer indicates this is a known recurring problem. No known corrective design change has been implemented.
When: Observed during normal operation; one case reported at rush-hour traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of propulsion (forward and reverse); No warning lamps prior to failure; Check engine light may appear the night before; Vehicle immobilized on roadway, creating safety hazard
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (generic powertrain fault)
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness replacement; one owner reported $3,000 repair bill. Dealer states no preventive design changes available.
Unintended acceleration during parking
Vehicle suddenly accelerated at full throttle while owner was parking on a residential street. Brake pedal input did not prevent acceleration initially. Vehicle struck a parked van, causing significant damage to both vehicles. Event lasted several seconds before vehicle stopped. After restart, vehicle operated normally.
When: During low-speed parking maneuver
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden full-throttle acceleration without driver input; Brake pedal press did not immediately prevent acceleration; Multiple brake applications required to stop vehicle; Normal operation after power cycle
Repairs/costs cited: Both Bolt and struck van sustained significant damage. Vehicle required towing for diagnostic evaluation.
Loss of propulsion with 'Conditions Not Right For Shift' error
Vehicle experienced sudden loss of propulsion while approaching a traffic light, displaying error message 'Conditions Not Right For Shift.' Vehicle came to a complete stop and locked up. Required multiple system reboots and manual pushing to move vehicle to safety. Dealership confirmed this matches technical service bulletin 19-NA-220. No warning symptoms prior to failure.
When: During normal driving in busy morning traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of propulsion at traffic light; Error message 'Conditions Not Right For Shift' displayed; Vehicle locked and unable to shift into Drive; Required multiple hard reboots to restore function; No prior warning lamps or symptoms
Codes mentioned: Conditions Not Right For Shift error
Repairs/costs cited: Addressed under TSB 19-NA-220. No owner repair cost cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-220 issued. Not recalled; not covered under warranty per owner claim of harness exclusion.
Sudden acceleration and loss of response in one-pedal mode
While waiting at a traffic light in L (one-pedal) mode, vehicle lurched unexpectedly into the intersection when driver began to release brake. Vehicle did not respond normally to accelerator input for several seconds, then moved forward slowly and jerkily. Dealer confirmed this is a known issue documented in TSB 19-NA-220. Not recalled; manufacturer excludes wiring harness defects from warranty coverage.
When: During low-speed stop-and-go driving in one-pedal mode
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected lurch into intersection when brake released; Abnormal acceleration not consistent with normal one-pedal behavior; Loss of throttle response for several seconds; Jerky forward movement after delay
Repairs/costs cited: TSB 19-NA-220 addresses issue. Owner reports manufacturer will not cover under warranty due to wiring harness exclusion.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-220 available. Not a recall item. Manufacturer excludes wiring harness failures from warranty.
Motor terminal misalignment causing loss of propulsion
Vehicle made clunking noise at highway speeds followed by sudden complete loss of propulsion at interstate interchange. No prior warning lamps or messages. Dealer diagnosed the issue as motor terminals not perfectly aligned during factory assembly, referenced in a technical service bulletin. Defect not covered under warranty and not subject to recall.
When: At 20,000 miles; occurred at highway speeds during interstate driving
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise (reported to dealer previously, undiagnosed); Sudden loss of all speed while at highway interchange; Complete loss of propulsion; No warning lamps or messages prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis: motor terminal misalignment from assembly plant. Not covered under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical service bulletin addresses terminal alignment issue. Not a recall. Warranty does not apply.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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…
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…
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…
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…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Chevrolet/Bolt EV.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.