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Chevrolet Bolt EV VIN Check

NHTSA holds 587 owner complaints on the Chevrolet Bolt EV from 158 production runs; the worst run has 12, the typical one 3.7.

NHTSA complaint records · 587 complaints · 158 runs · 2017–2023 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Bolt EV run is 1G1FY6S05L4 (2020 builds) with 12 complaints, 3.2× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 37% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 6.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for Bolt EV model years 2017–2023.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Bolt EV has 158 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 10% of every Bolt EV complaint on file.

FIG.01·Chevrolet Bolt EV — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1G1FY6S05L4••••••202012——
1G1FZ6S09K4••••••201912—1
1G1FZ6S00K4••••••201912—1
1G1FY6S02K4••••••201911——
1G1FY6S06L4••••••202011—1
1G1FZ6S04L4••••••2020112—
1G1FZ6S0XK4••••••201911——
1G1FY6S0XK4••••••201910——
1G1FY6S06K4••••••20191012
1G1FZ6S01K4••••••201910——
1G1FY6S07K4••••••201910—2
1G1FZ6S01L4••••••202010——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 146 Bolt EV runs has 10 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 100 Bolt EV VINs so far, most often 2017, 2019, 2020 builds; 12 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Bolt EV the gap between build years is 4.1×: a 2019 car draws 6.1 complaints per run, a 2018 one 1.5.

FIG.02·Chevrolet Bolt EV — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20232.859217
20221.859333
20212.767254
20205.8173307
20196.1178292
20181.564—
20172.54518—
ROWS 7·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2019 at 6.1 complaints per run; lightest is 2018 at 1.5. The 2023 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 37% of everything Chevrolet Bolt EV owners report: Electrical System, 257 of 587 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Chevrolet Bolt EV — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Electrical System257414
Steering1461—
Fuel/propulsion System10713
Unknown Or Other7413
Power Train4741
Service Brakes244—
Engine2311
Air Bags1910—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 13 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Bolt EV; the 6 below cover build years 2017 to 2023. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Chevrolet Bolt EV — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
22V930000Structure:body:roof And Pillars2017–2023
23V845000Structure:body:roof And Pillars2017–2023
21V650000Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery2020–2022
24V481000Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery2020–2022
24V812000Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery2020–2022
21V560000Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery2017–2019
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

22V930000 was opened in 2022 on cars built from 2017: 5 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 587 reports on the Chevrolet Bolt EV, 3.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Chevrolet Bolt EV — complaint severity
OutcomeChevrolet Bolt EVAll vehicles
Complaints filed5871,115,966
Involved a crash23 (3.9%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire15 (2.6%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported1158,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 33% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Bolt EV share of that is 587 complaints over 158 runs, 0.05% of everything on record.

Everything on the Chevrolet Bolt EV
Recalls38 campaignsFuel economy120 mpg bestReliability4.5/5Common problems589 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space17 cu ftUsed prices204 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2017–2023

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Chevrolet Bolt EV VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 587 NHTSA complaints from 158 Bolt EV runs and 13 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Bolt EV production run has the most complaints?

1G1FY6S05L4, a 2020 build, with 12 complaints. The typical Bolt EV run has 3.7.

Which Bolt EV years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 6.1 complaints per run and 2018 lightest at 1.5.

How many Bolt EV complaints involve a crash?

3.9% of 587 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 15 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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