NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
After a crash that deploys the seat belt pretensioner, hot exhaust from the pretensioner can ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, potentially causing a fire.
This page covers 6 recalls, 172 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt.
119 MPGe combined
Small Station Wagons
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt cluster around two systems: the electrical system and the steering. On the electrical side, owners report failures involving driver assistance features, particularly the front camera losing communication, which disables automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and front pedestrian braking with no warning to the driver. Steering complaints are the other consistent thread, with owners describing electric power steering that stiffens or locks mid-turn and fails to return to center, along with clunking at low speeds and oscillation during straight-line driving. Several owners note the steering gear was diagnosed as failed, in some cases before 40,000 miles. The propulsion system rounds out the top reported categories, though at lower volume. The steering symptoms, heavy effort, no self-centering, and intermittent lockup, appear across multiple reports with similar descriptions.
172
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
10
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt has 6 recalls, the most serious being two separate fire risks: the high-voltage battery can catch fire when charged to full or near-full capacity, and the seatbelt pretensioners can ignite carpet near the B-pillar after a crash.
The battery fire risk has been the subject of prior repair attempts that did not fully resolve the issue, so some vehicles that were already serviced under an earlier recall remain affected. The pretensioner fire concern similarly includes vehicles where a previous repair was not completed correctly, meaning owners who believe their car was already fixed may still be covered. In both cases, the fire can occur after the vehicle appears to have survived the triggering event.
On the braking side, the rear brake calipers on certain vehicles may have a coating defect that allows gas pockets to form inside the piston, reducing rear braking force and extending stopping distances. There is also a door latch concern: a rear door-handle cable that is slightly too long can rub against the window glass when it is lowered, eventually fraying or breaking. A damaged cable can either cause the rear door to swing open on its own when the rear window is opened, or prevent the inside rear door handle from working at all, trapping passengers or exposing them to traffic.
At a glance
What can fail
After a crash that deploys the seat belt pretensioner, hot exhaust from the pretensioner can ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, potentially causing a fire.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and install metal foil at the carpet near the exhaust. Some vehicles will also receive a pretensioner cover.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
After a crash, the seat belt pretensioner releases hot exhaust that may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, potentially causing a fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will install metal foil under the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust and add a pretensioner cover to prevent ignition.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high voltage battery can catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity in certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles.
What the fix does
GM will replace defective battery modules at no cost. Until replacement, limit charging to 90% using Hill Top Reserve (2017-2018) or Target Charge Level (2019), charge more often, keep battery above 70-mile range, park outside after charging, and do not charge indoors overnight.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high voltage battery can catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module to limit maximum charge to 90%.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The door-handle cable in rear doors may be too long and contact the window when opened, potentially damaging the cable. A damaged cable can cause the rear door to open unintentionally when the rear window is opened or prevent the rear inside door handle from working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear inside door-handle cables at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear brake caliper pistons may have inadequate coating, allowing gas pockets to form and reducing rear brake performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will bleed the brake system to remove gas pockets and restore brake performance at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.