VehicleVerdict

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 240 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Bolt EV year — the 2019 model ranks #3 of 8 Bolt EV years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 87 reports (36% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

240

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

15

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Bolt EV years?

Bolt EV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted460 complaints2017: 460 complaints2018: 118 complaints2019: 240 complaints2020: 244 complaints2021: 96 complaints2022: 94 complaints2023: 88 complaints2027: 0 complaints
Bolt EV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bolt EV years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System8736%
Steering4418%
Fuel System4418%
Other208%
Transmission135%
Driver Assistance115%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Brakes42%
Seat Belts31%
Airbags31%
Suspension21%
Engine21%
Tires & Wheels10%
Seats10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V845000Seat BeltsDecember 14, 2023 · 6,771 units

Defect

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 will need to have the new remedy performed. Owners may contact GM EV Concierge at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232421970.

22V930000Seat BeltsDecember 15, 2022 · 111,242 units

Defect

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.

21V560000Electrical SystemJuly 23, 2021 · 57,414 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-701. 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: Activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) 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. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N212343880.

20V701000Electrical SystemNovember 13, 2020 · 50,932 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling all 2017-2018 and certain 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV 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

This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-560. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-701 will still need to have the new remedy under recall 21V-560. GM will notify owners, and as an interim repair, beginning on November 17, 2020, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module 2 (HPCM2) to limit the full charge to 90%, free of charge. Owners are advised to activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, or park outside, until the software update is completed. Owners were notified of the interim repair beginning November 17, 2020. The second notice was mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N202311730.

20V184000Latches & LocksMarch 26, 2020 · 897 units

Defect

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.

18V576000BrakesAugust 30, 2018 · 210,628 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Consequence

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

CHEVY BOLT FINISHED CHANGING AND THEN STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE CAR. THE SOUND OF POPPING NOISES WERE HEARD AND THEN 10 MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CARS BATTERY PACK STARTING POPPING THEN EXPLODED IN FLAMES.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 16, 2020 · fire

CHEVY BOLT FINISHED CHANGING AND THEN STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE CAR. THE SOUND OF POPPING NOISES WERE HEARD AND THEN 10 MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CARS BATTERY PACK STARTING POPPING THEN EXPLODED IN FLAMES.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 16, 2020 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 7, 2018

CHEVY BOLT FINISHED CHANGING AND THEN STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE CAR. THE SOUND OF POPPING NOISES WERE HEARD AND THEN 10 MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CARS BATTERY PACK STARTING POPPING THEN EXPLODED IN FLAMES.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 16, 2020 · fire

Vehicle was driving in DRIVE mode, and began to surge as if it was regenerating hard (Felt as if downshifted quickly in a manual), which was odd since it was in DRIVE not LOW. Pulled over and placed the car in PARK. Car began to smoke (First noticed from the front underbody). Exited the vehicle…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 25, 2021 · fire

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV — common questions

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 240 complaints put the 2019 model at #3 of 8 Bolt EV years. It is one of the Bolt EV years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Bolt EV problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (87 complaints), fuel system (44 complaints), steering (44 complaints).

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Bolt EV years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Bolt EV years to avoid are 2017, 2020, 2019. The cleanest record among Bolt EV years belongs to 2027.

How safe is the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.