Is the 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV reliable?

The 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV has 240 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (85 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (44 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (44 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV?

The 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV has an EPA rating of 119 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $646. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV is approximately $1,857/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV has 240 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.0x the segment average of 118. The most common issue is electrical problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: back up cam remains on after i put my car in drive. also a loss of control of the infotainment console. you cannot lower the radio or control your climate control which means when the windshield is fogging up i cannot correct it.. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 15 fire reports filed.

15 fire reports 1 crash report 5 injuries

240

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

85 complaints

35%

• BACK UP CAM REMAINS ON AFTER I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE. ALSO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE INFOTAINMENT CONSOLE. YOU CANNOT LOWER THE RADIO OR CONTROL YOUR CLIMATE CONTROL WHICH MEANS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD IS FOGGING UP I CANNOT CORRECT IT.
• BRAKING FAILURES. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MILES WITH NORMAL OPERATION OF THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM, THE CAR WAS IN MOTION (ABOUT 45 MPH) WHEN THE CAR'S REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REQUESTED BY COMPLETELY REMOVING THE FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR IN "L" MODE (THE "ONE FOOT DRIVING"
• I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE THIS ELECTRIC CAR AT A GREENLOTS CCS (480VOLT) CHARGER IN KENNEWICK, WASHINGTON. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. A BLUE ARC OF ELECTRICITY SHOT OUT OF THE CHARGER PORT ON THE CAR AND CAME WITHIN AN INCH OF MY HAND. I UNDERSTAND FROM PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE SCIENCE OF ELECTR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 9 fire reports

“BACK UP CAM REMAINS ON AFTER I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE. ALSO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE INFOTAINMENT CONSOLE. YOU CANNOT LOWER THE RADIO OR CONTROL YOUR CLIMATE CONTROL WHICH MEANS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD IS FOGGING UP I CANNOT CORRECT IT.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV

Based on 54 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 10K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH26/03/2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The door-handle cable inside the rear doors may be too long, allowing contact with the window when it is opened, possibly damaging the cable. A damaged cable may cause the rear door to open unintentionally when the rear window is opened. Additionally, it may cause the rear inside door handle to not work.

Risk: 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.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$640

Per month

$53

Per mile

5.3¢

kWh/mi

0.28

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,857

Full coverage / month

$155

Liability only / year

$638

vs US avg

+11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1857

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet BOLT EV Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2019 BOLT EV, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2019 Chevrolet BOLT EV

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 240 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: BACK UP CAM REMAINS ON AFTER I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE. ALSO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE INFOTAINMENT CONSOLE. YOU CANNOT LOWER THE RADIO OR CONTROL YOUR CLIMATE CONTROL WHICH MEANS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD IS FOGGING UP I CANNOT CORRECT IT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: ODO, 500 MILES, BRAND NEW VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AT SPEEDS OF 0 - 25 MPH, OR, WHEN THE VEHICLE COMING TO A STOP, OR, WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. OTHER OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE DISCUSSED HERE HTTPS://WWW.CHEVYBOLT.ORG/FORUM/178-2017-CHEVY-BOLT-EV-ISSUES-PROBLEMS/25
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: ON SATURDAY JUNE 1, 2019 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH. AS I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY ONTO A SIDE ROAD, THE "LOW PROPULSION" LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL PROPULSION AND COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CHEVY DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: BACK UP CAM REMAINS ON AFTER I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE. ALSO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE INFOTAINMENT CONSOLE. YOU CANNOT LOWER THE RADIO OR CONTROL YOUR CLIMATE CONTROL WHICH MEANS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD IS FOGGING UP I CANNOT CORRECT IT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)