Is the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV a bad year?
179 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Bolt EV years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV are in line with other Bolt EV years. Electrical system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 Bolt EV owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 18,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 85 (47%) | 7k–35k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 47 (26%) | too few with a mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 44 (25%) | too few with a mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 13 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 18,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 179 complaints: 2 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 2 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
18 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV: 6
After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire. A fire increases the risk of injury.
After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire. A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity. A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity. A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
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. 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.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 240
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
Some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak
Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation
Will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Pedestrian alert sounds
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Neighbouring years
2018 Bolt EV: 89 complaints, keep it · 2020 Bolt EV: 177 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Bolt EV year
2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · All Bolt EV years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Cobalt SS · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV a bad year?
179 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Bolt EV years. At 18,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (85), steering (47), fuel system (44), transmission and drivetrain (13), brakes (5).
How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Body structure (NHTSA 23V-845), Body structure (NHTSA 22V-930), Electrical system (NHTSA 21V-560), Electrical system (NHTSA 20V-701) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.