2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev Safety Report
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (8) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (160) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 11 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt Ev with 44 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Bolt Ev Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Bolt Ev years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Chevrolet Bolt Ev | 66 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev | 166 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Chevrolet Bolt Ev | 57 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt Ev | 44 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
54 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlySteering
19 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyFuel/Propulsion System
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev
Reliability Score
The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev receives a reliability score of 7 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traction Battery General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV vehicles due to potential traction battery issues. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Rack Steering rack failure causing the steering wheel to not return to center, especially in slow corners. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Backup Camera Intermittent issues with the backup camera, especially after rain, affecting visibility. |
Low | Common | 80k-100k miles |
| Structural Issues Recall for roof and pillar issues in 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev:
Issues with the electrical system, including traction battery and propulsion system failures.
Problems with the steering system, such as the steering rack not returning to center.
Intermittent issues with the backup camera, especially after rain.
Recall for roof and pillar issues in 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev
The following 8 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev by NHTSA:
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV vehicles previously repaired under Recall 21V-650. The installation of advanced diagnostic software may have failed. As such, the high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Dealers will reinstall advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notific...
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resulting in a battery fire.
Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Dealers will reinstall the advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner no...
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. This recall includes certain vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire.
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and, if necessary, install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust. Certain vehicles will also need a pretensioner cover installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under recall number 22V-930 and wi...
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire.
Consequence: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust, and install a pretensioner cover as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between January 23, 2023 and April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222383790.
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Defective battery modules will be replaced by GM, free of charge. Owner notificat...
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Consequence: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. These vehicles may have an improperly cast front left brake caliper that can fracture during a high-pressure braking event.
Consequence: If a brake caliper fractures and brake fluid is lost, the vehicle may experience reduced brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the casting lot number on the front left brake caliper and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202321400.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 involved fires.
Steering rack started failing: did not return to center out of slow corners. Basically I could do hands-free circles in a parking lot. Dealer confirmed the steering rack was bad and replaced it under warranty. Out of sweeping corners this can be a safety issue as it only got worse over time. No warning lights nor other indication of the problem.
While waiting to turn left at a light and driving in "L" (one pedal) mode, I started to release the break in anticipation of oncoming lanes clearing, as I lifted the pedal the car lurched into the intersection. The Bolt normally accelerates very gently in L mode when no break is applied, but does not lurch forwards like this under normal conditions. The breaks did work, and I was able to stop, but...
See attached document for complaint.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle’s steering system (specifically the electric power steering assist and/or steering rack assembly) began exhibiting stiffness, resistance, and intermittent loss of assist while turning. The steering system is still installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request by N...
Steering very stiff will not return to center on its own. Seems to be the steering rack. Not returning to center seems dangerous in certain situations. This is a 2020 vehicle but seems to be a common problem on all years Bolt EV/EUV.
High-voltage battery failure left Bolt EV immobilized after recall fix: Our 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV (VIN: [XXX] ) became completely immobilized on [XXX], due to high-voltage battery failure. The vehicle previously underwent all recall remedies, including a full propulsion battery replacement in May 2023, but less than two years later the same issue has reoccurred. This failure left us stranded and...
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, the vehicle exploded. The contact believed the failure was due to the battery. The front left tire message was displayed. The battery was previously replaced. The local dealer was contacted regarding the battery purchase. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another ...
The steering wheel fails to return to center after turns. This requires constant manual correction to re-center the vehicle, which increases the risk of overcorrection or unintended lane departure. There are no warning lights or noise, and the issue does not appear to be related to alignment, tires, or pressure. Many other Chevrolet Bolt owners are reporting the same behavior, pointing to a potent...
The steering wheel intermittently sticks and fails to return to center after turns or minor corrections, especially at low to moderate speeds. This requires constant manual correction to re-center the vehicle, which increases the risk of overcorrection or unintended lane departure. There are no warning lights or noise, and the issue does not appear to be related to alignment, tires, or pressure. M...
The backup/360 camera intermittently but frequently fails to turn on, showing a black screen instead with a crossed out camera icon. This makes it very difficult to back up safely and puts bystanders at risk. This problem has not yet been evaluated by a dealer, but there are numerous other reports of the issue online. There have been no other warning lights or issues.
The car has 80,000 miles. The backup camera has always had an intermittent issue after rain but now has stopped working. I cannot see properly to back up. I understand that this is an issue with quite a few Chevy Bolts and can/has caused problems with backing accidents. I also understand that the company has known about this for a while, but has done nothing about the issue.
Steering would not return to center after a turn only for LEFT turns, even at higher speeds. Steering would be sticky at low speeds. Resulted in challenging to predict cornering particularly for left turns. Manufacturer replaced steering gear under warranty. OK now.
I first noticed an issue with the steering wheel not returning to center after a turn, and also when in a slow sweeping curve that the wheel would hold the position and keep in the turn/curve unless corrected by manually turning it straight. I had new tires installed on 11/6/2024 and the alignment was checked and was correct. The tires that I chose turned out to be way harsher riding and noisy the...
Right brake caliper sticking intermittently, causing massive vibration in steering wheel and a caliper too hot to touch. In doing research on the Chevy Bolt forum, there were many people talking about this issue. In fact, GM issued a TSB about this issue, but when I entered my VIN in the GM site, it said that my VIN as not impacted; however, it was! I suggest that the NTSB do a further investigat...
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "Propulsion Power Reduced - Service Soon" was displayed, and check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon investigation, it was discovered that the power output was limited. Despite the failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The contact wa...
Steering wheel does not return to center on its own after a turn. The wheel will remain turned, and the car will continue turning, until it is forced back to center by the driver.
Backup camera system repeatedly shows as unavailable and may cause death due to low visibility.
This car several times while driving has shaken and then shifted into neutral. I have had to pull the car off to the side of the road during normal vehicle operation. The car will then not shift into drive. There is a warning sign "Conditions Not Correct For Shift." The first incident was March 2023. The vehicle was towed to a Chevrolet dealer and the power inverter module was replaced under warra...
On January 8, 2025 the battery in my car began to fail and had a message in the display to take it to my dealer. I drove it to the nearest dealer on January 10, 2025, about 10 miles (Billion Automotive in Iowa City.) While driving the power steering and braking began to fail. The dealer said that GM would need to replace the battery. It has been at the dealer for 2 months, and I was told today tha...
The steering doesn't return to center when making turns on occasion. This issue can cause an overcorrection, this does seem to be a fairly common issue seen in various forums and appears to be a very expensive fix.
Showing 20 of 160 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Electrical System:Propulsion System
Opened 2020-10-09 · Closed 2022-02-07
In October 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) on 2017-2020 Model Year (MY) Chevrolet Bolt vehicles based on complaints received alleging that the vehicles caught fire under the seating area while parked and unattended. At the time, ODI had received 2 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and several field reports. All complaints alleged vehicles caught fire during or after electrical charging.ODI's review found vehicle thermal events occurred durin...
Component: Electrical System:Propulsion System
Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev
Has the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV has 8 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV have?
The 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV has 160 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 7 involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
The 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV involve electrical system (54 complaints), steering (19 complaints), unknown or other (14 complaints). Other affected components include fuel/propulsion system, electrical system,fuel/propulsion system, electrical system,engine,fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV have?
There are 7 crash reports associated with the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV out of 160 total complaints (4.4% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV have?
There are 4 fire reports for the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV out of 160 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV.
Should I buy a 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV is acceptable with caveats. It has 160 complaints, 8 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (54 complaints), 2. STEERING (19 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14 complaints), 4. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (7 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (6 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 54 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
Be cautious of electrical system and propulsion system issues, especially with the traction battery. Check for recalls and address any steering or backup camera problems promptly. The 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV has 160 NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
The 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV receives a reliability score of 7/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 160 owner complaints, 8 recalls, and 11 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Traction Battery and Steering Rack.
What are the known issues with the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
Known issues with the 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV include: Traction Battery, Steering Rack, Backup Camera, Structural Issues. These are based on patterns found across 160 NHTSA complaints. 8 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Common issues include electrical system and propulsion system failures, particularly with the traction battery, steering problems, and intermittent backup camera issues.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Yes, there are recalls for traction battery issues and structural problems with the roof and pillars.
What should I do if I experience steering issues with my 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Address the issue promptly by contacting your dealer for inspection and repair, as steering problems can be dangerous.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of electrical system and propulsion system issues, especially with the traction battery. Check for recalls and address any steering or backup camera problems promptly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev. The data includes 160 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 8 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 7 reported crashes, 4 fire incidents, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Ev an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14