2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 6, 2026MSFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   GM installed Advanced Monitoring Software on the car rather than replace the battery. The software detected a battery fault. Under the battery recall if a fault is detected the battery is replaced free of charge. GM is refusing to replace the battery. Now the car will not move.

   NHTSA complaint #11748422 · source
2. Filed Jun 19, 2026SCElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   General Motors is using the arbitrary 6,213-mile tracking window of Recall 944 to deny coverage for a diagnosed Cell Section 3 hardware failure at 123,582 miles. However, this vehicle is directly impacted by the failure parameters outlined in the expanded GM Safety Recall N242470160 / N242470162, where GM openly acknowledges to federal regulators that the advanced diagnostic software has failed to properly detect defective battery modules. By denying a physical battery…

   NHTSA complaint #11745256 · source
3. Filed Jun 2, 2026KSElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11741473 · source
4. Filed May 6, 2026WAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV in late 2023, already equipped with GM's recall diagnostic software (part of NHTSA Recall 21V650), which monitored battery health and limited charging to 80%. After the monitoring period, the software detected critical voltage variation failures across all 5 battery cell module rows. The dealer (Lee Johnson KIA, Kirkland WA) opened a TAC case (#9-14753041951), GM authorized a full high voltage battery replacement, and the work was…

   NHTSA complaint #11736147 · source
5. Filed Apr 12, 2026WAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   This is the second time since owning car this has happened the recall battery is not working again this time me and my sister were at the gas station were I work and this is all on camara at Chevron gas station were I work I went inside sister stayed in car it started making a buzzing sound under my dash car shut off windows wouldn't go down locked doors could not get car to turn on trapped us in car this is scary and smelled a wire burning smell started to get scared…

   NHTSA complaint #11730613 · source
6. Filed Jan 7, 2026COElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 I was now in the middle of the intersection and slightly encroaching into…

   NHTSA complaint #11709509 · source
7. Filed Aug 29, 2025CTElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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 unable to operate the car. Loss of propulsion without warning presents a…

   NHTSA complaint #11683892 · source
8. Filed May 28, 202525,100 miINFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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 was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The contact was then…

   NHTSA complaint #11663413 · source
9. Filed Mar 17, 2025OHElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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 warranty. This next occurred in December 2024. The vehicle was towed to a dealer…

   NHTSA complaint #11648731 · source
10. Filed Mar 11, 2025IAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    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 that it will be at least another 2 months before GM will replace the battery. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11647627 · source
11. Filed Dec 28, 2024NYElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    While traveling at highway speeds, my Chevrolet Bolt (2020 with 20K miles) made a clunking noise followed by a loss of speed. The clunking noise had previously been reported to the dealer, but they were not able to identify any issues at the time. During this incident, however, the car ultimately lost all speed, forcing me to pull over to the side of the highway. This sudden loss of propulsion posed a significant risk to my safety and the safety of other motorists, not only…

    NHTSA complaint #11632822 · source
12. Filed May 5, 2024AZElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    The engine compartment wiring harness Part Number: 42765196 wiring shorted out due to the chaffing of wires in the harness. The dealer is replacing the harness but there is no known changes that will prevent this in the future. $3,000 repair bill. I have asked for the defective harness to be returned to me for examination. This is a major safety concern as in my case, the Chevrolet Bolt would not move either in forward or reverse (Note: the other electrical systems and…

    NHTSA complaint #11587057 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology