Chevrolet Bolt EV Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet Bolt EV model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (67) and the 2017 the most (348).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Still collecting reports |
5 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | — | — |
| 2022 | 59 | 7 | Electrical system | 5★ | 120 |
| 2023 | 61 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 120 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
67 | 5 | Electrical system | 5★ | 118 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
89 | 5 | Steering | — | 119 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
174 | 8 | Electrical system | 5★ | 118 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
178 | 6 | Electrical system | 5★ | 119 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
348 | 4 | Steering | — | 119 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet Bolt EV years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV: 348 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 124 (36%); Electrical system 114 (33%); Fuel/propulsion system 70 (20%).
Reports mention 11 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 20,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV: 178 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 85 (48%); Steering 46 (26%); Fuel/propulsion system 44 (25%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 10 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,230 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV: 174 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 94 (54%); Fuel/propulsion system 30 (17%); Steering 22 (13%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 4 fires. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,600 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV years with the fewest complaints
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV: 67 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 33 (49%); Fuel/propulsion system 15 (22%); Power train 10 (15%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 injury. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV: 89 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 38 (43%); Electrical system 30 (34%); Power train 12 (13%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 18,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV: 174 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 94 (54%); Fuel/propulsion system 30 (17%); Steering 22 (13%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 4 fires. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 6,600 miles. 8 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Bolt EV owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 61 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 59 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 67 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 174 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 6,600 |
| 2019 | 178 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 10,230 |
| 2018 | 89 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 18,000 |
| 2017 | 348 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 20,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet Bolt EV recalls
- Insufficient Coating on Rear Brake Caliper Pistons (2018–2019 model years; 210,628 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2018; 18V576000)
- Fire Risk after Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment (2017–2023 model years; 111,242 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2022; 22V930000)
- High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire (2017–2019 model years; 57,414 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2021; 21V560000)
- High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire (2020–2022 model years; 52,414 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2021; 21V650000)
- High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire (2017–2019 model years; 50,932 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2020; 20V701000)
All 14 Chevrolet Bolt EV recall campaigns · Chevrolet Bolt EV problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet Bolt EV years FAQ
Which Chevrolet Bolt EV year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (67). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet Bolt EV years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2017, 2019 and 2020 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet Bolt EV problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (404 of 981 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Bolt EV have?
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Bolt EV. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Bolt EV recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.