2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Chevrolet Bolt EV
Pictured: 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV 2LT, NYC official fleet 1.2.23. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
Electric motor
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
EV
EV range
259 mi · 10 h on 240 V
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
8 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a small station wagon powered by electricity and front-wheel drive.

The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 259 miles and takes about 10 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2020

  • Longest EV range up from 238 to 259 miles

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Bolt EV →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Bolt EV EV150 kW ACPMAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive259 mi · 28.6629 kWh/100mi–$650–
10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $8,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
31.3 MPG2020 Small Station Wagons average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★9.7%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash test — 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 HB FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 HB FWD
Side crash test — 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 HB FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2020 small station wagons

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV (this car)259 mi★★★★★8
2020 Honda Fit36 MPG★★★★★4
2020 Honda HR-V30 MPG★★★★★5
2020 Kia Niro50 MPG★★★★★3
2020 Kia Soul31 MPG★★★★★1
2020 Nissan Rogue Sport28 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (8)

Safety advisory: 3 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Oct 31, 2024 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 24V812000 · 107 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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 notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N242470160.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Jun 27, 2024 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 24V481000 · 72 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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 notification letters were mailed on August 1, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's numbers for this recall are N242443000 and N242443002.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Dec 14, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V845000 · 6,771 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Dec 15, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V930000 · 111,242 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery · Aug 20, 2021 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 21V650000 · 52,414 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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 notification letters were mailed on October 1, 2021 and June 23, 2023. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall 21V-560. GM's number for this recall is N212345940.
Seat Belts › Critical Fasteners · Dec 23, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V811000 · 470 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper · Dec 22, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V808000 · 464 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If a brake caliper fractures and brake fluid is lost, the vehicle may experience reduced brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Mar 26, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V184000 · 897 vehicles

Problem
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

176Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
7Involved a crash
4Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
6,600 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System89
Fuel/Propulsion System31
Steering23
Unknown Or Other21
Power Train11
Vehicle Speed Control8
Engine8
Air Bags6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/06: 124/07: 124/08: 324/09: 424/10: 424/11: 324/12: 225/02: 225/03: 325/04: 125/05: 125/06: 125/07: 525/08: 325/09: 125/11: 126/01: 326/04: 326/05: 326/06: 426/07: 126/08: 126/09: 126/10: 224/0624/0924/1225/0425/0725/1126/0526/08max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Electrical System — 89 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 31 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Steering — 23 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 6,600 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 259 miles.
  8. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Bolt EV years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2023 Bolt EV259 mi163.4 in★★★★★361
2022 Bolt EV259 mi163.4 in★★★★★759
2021 Bolt EV259 mi–★★★★★567
2019 Bolt EV238 mi–★★★★★6178
2018 Bolt EV238 mi–Not rated589
2017 Bolt EV238 mi–Not rated4349

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →