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Exterior lightingPart report

2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
3%of 176 total for the year
Median mileage
18,700miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 3% of the 176 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,700 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I have had people following me, and almost hit me when stopped at a stop sign, or waiting to turn left, because the brake lights go off while the car is still being held to some degree by electric motor braking. When driving the car in L mode, one pedal driving, the brake lights come on when decelerating, but when stopped they turn off. The issue is, there is some electrical braking applied when stopped at a stop sign or light, even with no foot on the brake pedal. The car will hold on a slight grade when in L, with no foot on the brake pedal. …”

NHTSA complaint #11422802, filed 2021-06

“The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while at a complete stop with the L(Low) mode activated, the brake lights failed to illuminate. The failure caused a crash for other vehicles that were coming from behind; however, the contact's vehicle was not impacted by the crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,400.”

NHTSA complaint #11553475, filed 2023-11, 2,400 miles

“The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V650000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights activated independently while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the front driver's side seat heater would engage independently while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. …”

NHTSA complaint #11472743, filed 2022-07, 35,000 miles

“In all models before 2022, the brake lights shut off while at a stop in one-pedal driving mode. This is a major safety concern that can be fixed entirely in software.”

NHTSA complaint #11586836, filed 2024-05

“This car has One Pedal Driving (OPD) which allows you to slow the car to a stop, without using the brake pedal. The car activates the brake lights, based on sensors in the car which sense the deceleration. In this mode, the brake lights are NOT activated by any pedal action by the driver, only by the vehicle's actual deceleration. This all works great EXCEPT the fact that once the car comes to a stop, the brake lights turn off. This is obviously a hazard for any stopped driver and there are anecdotal cases of rear end collisions caused by the lack of brake lights. …”

NHTSA complaint #11627504, filed 2024-11

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023610%
202223%
202053%
201811%
201731%

Other parts of the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Electrical system
95 complaints
Fuel system
31 complaints
Steering
23 complaints
Other or unknown
21 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
11 complaints
Engine
8 complaints
Vehicle speed control
8 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Seat belts
6 complaints
Lane departure
5 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology