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Chevrolet Bolt Change Vehicle

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It used to be that admirers of electric cars who wanted a 200-miles-plus range had to get in line for a Tesla and spend upward of $70,000. The Chevrolet Bolt changed all that. Don't let the Bolt's mundane appearance deceive you and mask the car's advanced technology.
2019
New 2021
Used 2020 2019 2018 2017

Chevrolet Bolt

Reliability
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Owner Satisfaction
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Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Good
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit.
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
NA
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
NA
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
NA
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
NA
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS and ESC standard. Front side and head protection air bags standard.
Road Test

It used to be that admirers of electric cars who wanted a 200-miles-plus range had to get in line for a Tesla and spend upward of $70,000. The Chevrolet Bolt changed all that.

Don't let the Bolt's mundane appearance deceive you and mask the car's advanced technology. Like a Tesla, the Bolt is able to go well over 200 miles on a single charge, is quick, quiet and can be a viable option for those ready to embrace a fully electric car.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
Front
Warranty

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
4-door hatchback
Transmissions Available
  • 1-speed Direct
Engines Available
  • electric (200 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2019 Chevrolet Bolt owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Backup or other camera/sensors

"The guide lines usually do not come on for several seconds, even while actively backing."

Anonymous, MA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

"After I switch from reverse to drive, the back-up camera is still putting a picture on the screen. It is quite distracting to have essentially a video of the area behind me going on as I am driving. It seems to happen when it is raining more than at any other time. It goes away before I can get it to the dealership so I have not been able to have the problem resolved."

Anonymous, GA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Unsure Electric)

"Sometimes guidelines for backup camera do not appear."

Anonymous, MA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)
Display screen freezes up

"Problem cleared when a software reload was completed."

Anonymous, AL (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

"It is an intermittent problem. When it happens, the backup camera screen stays on after shifting to drive and there is no way to control HVAC or the radio. The dealer has been unable to replicate the problem (two tries) and it has not been fixed. It happens perhaps once a month."

Anonymous, CT (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric)

"Either the display screen is loading for a very long time after I start driving (so that I cannot access A/C or heat dials) or the back-up camera does not disengage after I change gears, so that I have a motion picture on the screen of the things I am passing. Very distracting."

Anonymous, GA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Electric)
Display screen goes blank

"It was an intermittent problem that cleared when the CHEVROLET dealer reloaded software."

Anonymous, AL (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

"The screen has gone blank several times. It seems to be caused by a SW bug related to Apple CarPlay. Each time it happened after leaving my iPhone plugged into USB port of the car. The screen went blank, but for some reason the CarPlay menu was still accessible. After some online research I was able to reboot the screen by pressing the Home and FF keys for 10 seconds."

Peter L., CA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric)
External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

"I had an aftermarket CD player installed, that fed the music thru the AUX input. Then last month, the control panel would not let me switch from radio to AUX. The AUX button was greyed out, and unresponsive. I phoned and spoke with the dealer, but he told me I'd have to bring the car in. However, I don't plan on doing that until after this pandemic is over."

Anonymous, CA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric)
Hardware replacement

"the USB port to connect the iPhone to the car never worked. It had to be replaced."

Anonymous, MA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

"Had issues with display freezing and back up camera view remaining on screen while driving several times around a year after purchase. System was replaced under warranty by dealer around 2 months later when the part was available."

Anonymous, (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"For the past several months the car bluetooth keeps intermittently connecting with my phone and then reconnecting again. It seems like maybe the signal is not strong enough so there are times when my phone is unpaired and I can't use the car features to make or receive hands free phone calls."

Anonymous, AZ (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric)

"Sometimes my phone will not connect, and so I have to have one hand with my phone to my ear. I would probably not have taken the call if I knew I had to do that."

Anonymous, GA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Unsure Electric)
Radio

"Radio turns on every time I start the car & has to be turned off if I don't want to listen to it. (I'd rather turn it on if I want it, or at least just only have it on if I left it on when I turned the car off)."

Anonymous, (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)
Software update fixes

"There were glitches in the software that had to be rebooted."

Anonymous, CA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)
Load more

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"The A/C and fan sometimes turn on or off randomly. Not sure what causes it. They can always be turned back on easily."

Anonymous, (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)
Heater system

"It produces very little heat."

Anonymous, CA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

"We picked up the car from a dealer 200 miles away from home. It had not been charged or prepped, so we waited approximately 6 hours at the dealer for those to be done. We left the dealer in a thunderstorm as they were closing. By the time we were 5 miles away, it was apparent that the cabin heater did not work. We stopped overnight halfway back for a recharge and for my wife's feet to thaw out. A local dealer replaced the heater under warranty. It has functioned well since, except the "automatic climate control sometimes won't switch from heat to AC until 5 or 6 degrees past the desired setting."

Anonymous, KS (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric)

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

What Owners Say

Glass defects

"The windshield glass is very distorted, like looking through a 100 year old window."

Roy I., AZ (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)
Locks and latches

"The passenger door would not open from the inside. I didn't notice until I had a passenger (4 months after buying this new car). I thought it may have been a child protection feature so I pushed a piece of the door lock that locked the door while it was open and I could no longer close the door. After speaking with the dealership I was told the fix was to pull on the inside door handle/latch which didn't work initially, and now still didn't work."

Anonymous, TX (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose interior trim or moldings

"I don't know the vocabulary, so this may not make sense... the plastic at the top of the door was dislodged after I had the door lock replaced. It had to be replaced as well. Now the plastic parts of the dashboard on the left and right where it meets the window are loose. I can press them back in place, but they pop up again. It makes me worry about the integrity of the whole car."

Anonymous, TX (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

"front right door handle showed a slight gap. there is no functional issue, but seems like the fit is not as tight as expected (or same as other doors)"

Anonymous, CA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric)

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"A wire in the engine compartment will rattle at speeds greater than 60 mph."

Anonymous, VA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Electrical failure

"The 12 volt battery died and the car cannot operate even though the main traction battery was charged. Even when we tried to jump start the 12 volt battery the car would not start. The following day I was able to start the car and drove straight to the dealer. The battery was defective. Apparently this is a common problem with AGM batteries."

Anonymous, (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Springs or torsion bars

"Apparently the rear suspension has a beam axle which encloses a torsion bar. The torsion bar beget hitting the beam axle, and the entire assembly had to be replaced. It has Belgium a low level repeat of the same noise. The mechanic at the dealership said it was the same problem. He said it was safe to drive, but to bring it back at the end of the warranty period and they would replace it, hopefully with an improved design. The car has been a very comfortable and economical vehicle that we like, but remain suspicious of build quality."

Anonymous, KS (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric)

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

USB port

"Stopped charging phone, Apple Car Play failed"

Anonymous, (2019 Chevrolet Bolt Premier Electric)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"There was a fault in the pedestrian speakers which caused the pedestrian warning to come on each time the car was started."

Anonymous, MA (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

What Owners Say

Transmission computer

"The display just said it needed to be serviced.I took it to the dealer and it was repairedthe next day."

Anonymous, OR (2019 Chevrolet Bolt LT Electric)

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

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