2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Problems

What owners report

Most of what owners of this model year describe in the sampled complaints centers on the high-voltage battery and the recall that followed it: owners report waiting months to years for a replacement pack, reduced charging limits, and, in a few cases, smoke, heat or fire from the battery area. A second, recurring theme is steering that will not return to center, along with assorted electrical and warning-light faults.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   High-voltage battery recall waits and heat or smoke

   • 77 complaints (44%)
   • median 35,000 mi at 1.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe being told their vehicle was covered by the battery recall and then waiting a long time for parts, in some cases well over a year, while being advised to limit charging and park outside. Some complaints describe the rear of the vehicle emitting smoke, the battery area becoming very hot or making abnormal noises while charging, and one owner reported the car catching fire in a driveway. Others describe repeat battery failures and long dealer stays waiting for a replacement pack, with a few saying the range or charging capability has dropped. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to well past 35,000 miles, often while charging or shortly after.

   Recall 21V650000Recall 24V481000Recall 24V8120001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the recall battery replacement or diagnostic software has actually been completed, and request the service records. Check the current range and charging behavior, and look for any history of overheating, smoke or repeated battery-related dealer visits.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our Chevy Bolt was purchased in November of 2020 a recall was issued in August of 2021. We purchased this car for the battery size that could give us greater range. We owned a Nissan Leaf before the Bolt. The theoretical range of the Bolt made it a better choice over a newer Leaf. No real timetable to have the problem resolved.”

   NHTSA complaint #11461031, filed 2022-04

   “NHSTA Recall Number 21V650 was issued in August of 2021. It is now 2023 and the replacement battery for my 2020 Bolt is not yet available. Further I have received no information about when I should expect my replacement battery to become available. GM appears to be prioritizing selling new electric vehicles with their lithium battery supply, rather than fixing a safety hazard with vehicles already on the road. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11499764, filed 2023-01
2. 2
   Other or unknown

   Unresolved recalls and no parts available

   • 80 complaints (45%)
   • median 35,500 mi at 2.1 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   A number of complaints are about the recall process itself rather than a new failure: owners say they were notified of a recall but the dealer had no parts and no timeline, and that repeated calls to the dealer and the manufacturer produced no remedy. Several describe the vehicle as still under an open recall after more than a year, with limited charging or reduced range imposed in the meantime. Complaints span 2021 through 2026 and are mostly mileage-independent, since they concern recall scheduling.

   Recall 21V650000Recall 22V930000Recall 24V481000Recall 24V812000

   What to check: Check the vehicle's open-recall status by VIN and confirm each recall repair was completed with paperwork, rather than just being scheduled.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My battery still has an open recall replacement since August of 2021 and every time I call GM to inquire about the availability of a replacement they just tell me it's not available yet. I do not consider this being handled in a timely manner and that's my complaint. I don't understand how they are allowed to sell new Bolt EV's and EUV's without having replaced current owners batteries yet, it's been over a year and a half now. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11514357, filed 2023-03

   “I am filing a complaint with regards to the 2020 Chevy Bolt recall. When I purchased the vehicle in July 2021 from Chevy, the 2020 model was not affected. They then issued a recall August 2021. I have been waiting patiently for the battery replacement; however, this has still not been remedied. When I contacted Chevy online and my local dealer, they were unable to give me a timeline for when this will be fixed. As it has been >18 months, I am frustrated that this has not been resolved in a timely manner. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11508185, filed 2023-02
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden loss of power or unintended acceleration

   • 27 complaints (15%)
   • median 3,000 mi at 1.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Some complaints describe the car lurching or accelerating unexpectedly at low speed, including while pulling into a parking space or with the gear selector in low mode, and in one case the accelerator pedal sticking. Others describe the opposite: a brief surge followed by the motor cutting power entirely, leaving the vehicle unable to move until the 12-volt battery was disconnected and reconnected. Complaints say these events came with no warning or with a check-engine light and limited power afterward. Mostly reported under about 6,000 miles, though some power-loss reports came at higher mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether any propulsion or pedal-related diagnostic codes have been stored, and check that floor mats are the correct ones and secured so they cannot trap the pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving the car through a busy intersection there was a sudden, brief surge of acceleration, followed by deceleration and the vehicle cutting all motor power and becoming inoperable. The MIL lamp illuminated and the Ready light went out. I was unable to move the vehicle out of traffic until I got out and disconnected / reconnected the 12v battery to reset the car systems. The problem is difficult to reproduce, happening randomly, sometimes with multiple months between incidents. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11741473, filed 2026-06

   “The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck causing the speed to increase to approximately 65 mph. The contact indicated that the vehicle would not slow down while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was shifted into neutral and turned off to stop the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11430166, filed 2021-08, 3,200 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Infotainment, camera and audio electrical faults

   • 21 complaints (12%)
   • median 900 mi at 1.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe the infotainment screen going black, sometimes when a phone is plugged in, and a surround-view camera image that turns pink or disappears when the vehicle is put in drive. One complaint describes water collecting at the rear hatch and shorting the audio amplifier so all sounds, including turn-signal clicks and pedestrian alerts, went silent. Others mention lane-keeping and lane-departure warnings that give no audible or seat alert as expected. Reported from very low mileage up to about 30,000 miles, with no clear weather pattern in the complaints.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the screen, backup and surround cameras, and audio including turn-signal clicks, and check the rear hatch area and spare-tire well for water stains or dampness.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For 30K miles my rear camera view was full screen and proper aspect ratio. At some point after that I shifted into reverse quickly after starting and the view changed to a zoomed view. The screen image was fisheyed and 4/5th of the screen. Bulletin No.: 18-NA-050 Date: July, 2019 is incorrect. GM sold me a car that had proper full screen display in correct aspect ratio and now it fails to return to the as purchased image. My pickup truck has a button to adjust zoom that mimics this problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11497337, filed 2022-12

   “I plug in my phone and the infotainment system goes black. It also happens when my phone isn’t plugged in I don’t know what’s going on but it happens when I’m driving”

   NHTSA complaint #11553289, filed 2023-11
5. 5
   Steering

   Steering wheel does not return to center

   • 18 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 5.6 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel staying where it is left after a turn instead of straightening out, so the car keeps curving until the driver corrects it by hand. Some say the effect is constant and more noticeable at higher speeds or when exiting a highway, and a few mention clunking or clicking noises from the steering when turning the wheel at low speed or over bumps. Complaints describe no warning light or message, and some owners say they have not yet had it inspected. Reported from under 47,000 miles, with several owners noting it was present when they bought the car used.

   What to check: On a test drive, make a slow turn and release the wheel to see whether it centers itself, and listen for clunks when turning the wheel while stopped. Ask whether the steering gear or rack has been inspected or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering wheel does not return to center. When turning and then releasing the steering wheel to come out of the turn, the wheel stays where it is, causing the car to continue to turn. You must manually steer the wheel back to center position. This always happens when steering. It is not a one-time or intermittent. This is not safe as it makes the car go off the road. There is no warning light or alert from the car itself that something is wrong. I purchased the car used from a used car dealership and it is doing this when I bought it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11579634, filed 2024-03

   “Steering sticks and does not return to center in sweeping turns. Clicking noise over bumps in very cold weather (may or may not be related--steering issue most concerning). Most prominent at higher speeds (for example, getting off of the highway) but occurs at any speed. Once you turn the wheel, it will return slightly then stick in place. It takes a small amount of extra force to correct it back towards center. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11640288, filed 2025-02

Buying note. The main thing to verify on this model year is battery recall status: confirm by VIN that the replacement pack or diagnostic software was actually installed and ask for the paperwork. On the test drive, check that the steering centers itself after turns and that the screens, cameras and audio all work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.