Is the 2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV reliable?

The 2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV has 244 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (94 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (29 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (23 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV?

Yes, there are 8 recall(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV?

The 2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV has an EPA rating of 118 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $651. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 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 2020 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 2020 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.

2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV has 244 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 118. The most common issue is electrical problems (39% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2020 chevrolet bolt ev. the contact stated the vehicle was in "l" mode before the vehicle lunged forward into the wall. the vehicle was taken to a dealer (heritage chevrolet owing mills: 11234 reisterstown rd, owings mills, md 21117) but it was unknown if the vehicle was diagn. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 8 crash reports

244

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

94 complaints

39%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN "L" MODE BEFORE THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO THE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (HERITAGE CHEVROLET OWING MILLS: 11234 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) BUT IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGN
• The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt. The contact stated that while the vehicle was plugged into the charge box however not being fully charged. The contact stated that prior to the failure occurring the vehicle was already charged fully, without warning a couple of hours later, the vehicle explod
• GM has stated in their NHTSA recall notice that my vehicle has the potential to burn down my home and has not provided any sort of fix or even a timeline to fix the problem. The recall states not to charge the vehicle in a garage. My home charger is located in the back of my garage and I do not have

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN "L" MODE BEFORE THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO THE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (HERITAGE CHEVROLET OWING MILLS: 11234 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) BUT IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV

Based on 33 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 7K 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+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 900 mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 35K mi · 11 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 (8)

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 2020 Chevrolet BOLT EV

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$645

Per month

$54

Per mile

5.4¢

kWh/mi

0.29

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 2020 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 2020 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 2020 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

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 244 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN "L" MODE BEFORE THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INTO THE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (HERITAGE CHEVROLET OWING MILLS: 11234 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) BUT IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: ACCELERATOR PEDAL GETS STUCK ON FLOOR MAT AND REQUIRES PULLING IT UP WITH YOUR TOES TO STOP ACCELERATION. I HAVE A 10 SECOND VIDEO I CAN SHARE DOCUMENTING THIS. I CONTACTED CHEVY CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TODAY AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REFER THE CASE[XXX] -- TO THE "APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT". I AM WORRIED I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: ANDROID AUTO SKIP AND PAUSE ON STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING UNLESS INFOTAINMENT RESET DAILY OR RE-ENTER CAR. WAS AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE SOUNDED AS IF IT WERE COMING FROM THE AREA OF THE CONSOLE/ GEAR SHIFT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: Steering After turning, the steering wheel will not return to center on its own. You have to manually return the steering wheel to the center. This can cause you to steer off the road and hit pedestrians. The steering also will not align even after new tire and an alignment. The car will not drive s
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)