Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV
NHTSA data on file today
The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 175 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #24V812000 High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V481000 High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V845000 Fire Risk after Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V930000 Fire Risk after Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V650000 High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V811000 Incorrect Bolts Used To Attach Seat Belts NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V808000 Front Left Brake Caliper may Fracture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V184000 Rear Doors May Open While Driving NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 95 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 31 complaints
- Steering 23 complaints
- Unknown or Other 21 complaints
- Power Train 11 complaints
- Engine 8 complaints
Of the 175 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 4 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV has a below-average reliability rating due to significant recall activity, primarily around battery and fire risks, and numerous complaints. High complaint counts for the electrical and propulsion systems indicate recurring issues, while other concerns include brakes and steering. Evidence suggests owners may face notable repairs, though data on exact failure points is limited.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| traction battery | Unknown | $1,000–$10,000 | common |
| electrical system | Unknown | $300–$2,000 | common |
| brake calipers | Unknown | $200–$800 | occasional |
| steering system | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Battery system diagnostics
- Brake fluid replacement
- Coolant system checks
- Tire rotations and balancing
- Brake pad inspections
- Cabin air filter changes
- Software updates
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Battery overheating or smoke
- Steering wheel vibration
- Brake pedal feels soft
- Increased stopping distances
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.