The 2019 draws 6.14 complaints per run and the 2018 1.5, a 4.1-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 2 years of age, so 42% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Electrical System, with 257 complaints, typically at 1.8 years.
Chevrolet Bolt EV years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 59 | 21 | too new | |
| 2022 | 59 | 33 | too new | |
| 2021 | 67 | 25 | too new | |
| 2020 | 173 | 30 | yes | |
| 2019 | 178 | 29 | yes | |
| 2018 | 6 | 4 | yes | |
| 2017 | 45 | 18 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2019 Bolt EV asks a median $13,900, against $15,500 for a 2020, the next model year: about 10% less, so sellers do price some of the trouble in.
Among the 4 Chevrolet Bolt EV years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2019, 2020, 2017; the three worth hunting are 2018, 2017, 2020.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 16.3% | covered | |
| 1 year | 37.5% | covered | |
| 2 years | 58% | covered | |
| 3 years | 71.6% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 82.3% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 91.2% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 96.5% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 98.8% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 58% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 42% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 12% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Chevrolet Bolt EV, the early trouble is Electrical System and Fuel/propulsion System — reported at around 1.8 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Steering at 4.4 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1.8 yrs | 4 | 14 | |
| Steering | 4.4 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1.8 yrs | 1 | 3 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1.9 yrs | 1 | 3 | |
| Power Train | 1.9 yrs | 4 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1.7 yrs | 4 | — | |
| Engine | 1.3 yrs | 1 | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 1.8 yrs | 10 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Bolt EV's vehicle class. Per production run, the Kia Soul draws 11.34, the Subaru Impreza 1.61 and the Honda Fit 3.24, against 3.72 for the Bolt EV.
| Same class as the Bolt EV | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Soul | 39 | 2010–2026 | |
| Subaru Impreza | 183 | 1993–2026 | |
| Honda Fit | 94 | 2007–2020 | |
| Honda HR-V | 37 | 2016–2026 | |
| Buick Envista | 5 | 2024–2026 | |
| Kia Niro | 29 | 2017–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Chevrolet Bolt EV reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 3.72 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Bolt EV years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2019, 2020, 2017. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2018, 2017, 2020. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Bolt EV problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 2 years of age. The most reported system is Electrical System, typically at 1.8 years, followed by Steering.
Will the warranty cover Bolt EV problems?
Mostly yes: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and 58% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 12% of the complaints here.
Is the Bolt EV more reliable than the Kia Soul?
Yes: 3.72 complaints per production run for the Bolt EV against 11.34 for the Kia Soul.
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