Before you buy
This 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev has 173 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Electrical Faults.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated energy efficiency for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev. Values shown in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
9.7% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
9.7% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
CHEVROLET BOLT EV 2019 has 173 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls. Electrical faults (85) and propulsion issues (44) are top concerns. Steering defects (43) also reported. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- Bolt Ev
- Model year
- 2019
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 173
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Minor Issues
- EPA MPGe combined
- 119
- EPA MPGe city / highway
- 128 / 110
- Fuel type
- Electricity
- Electric range (miles)
- 238
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Fuel/Propulsion System
Steering Defects
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Fuel/Propulsion System, Steering Defects. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev?
The 2019 Bolt EV shows a high complaint volume relative to its single model year, with electrical and propulsion issues dominating. Buyers should proceed with caution and ensure all recalls are addressed and a thorough inspection is performed.
Electrical faults and propulsion system issues can lead to unexpected breakdowns or reduced range, directly impacting reliability and ownership costs.
May Suit
This year may suit budget-conscious buyers willing to accept higher risk in exchange for lower upfront cost, provided they verify recall completion.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking maximum reliability and minimal service visits should consider other model years or vehicles with fewer complaints.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev
Inspection Focus
- Inspect electrical system for any warning lights or malfunction history.
- Check propulsion system for error codes or reduced power events.
- Test steering for unusual noises or stiffness.
Before You Close the Deal
- Verify all recall repairs are completed using the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical and propulsion system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the high-voltage battery and charging system.
- Test drive to check for steering or drivetrain abnormalities.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV has 173 complaints and 6 recalls. The leading concerns are electrical faults (85 complaints) and fuel/propulsion system issues (44 complaints), which together account for over 70% of all complaints. Steering defects (43 complaints) are also notable. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: With only one model year analyzed, no direct comparison to other years is available, but the complaint count is elevated for a single year.
Recall context: Six recalls indicate significant post-sale issues; verifying all recall repairs is essential before purchase.
- Electrical faults account for 85 of 173 total complaints.
- Fuel/propulsion system issues total 44 complaints.
- Steering defects represent 43 complaints.
- Electrical Faults (85 complaints)
- Fuel/Propulsion System (44 complaints)
- Steering Defects (43 complaints)
Full breakdown
All 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 85 | — | 9 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 44 | — | 3 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 43 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 20 | — | 2 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | — | 1 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
when driving my car from the airport at Bradley International in CT (parked for a week), I experienced a terrible vibration in the steering wheel which has been intermittent. The vibration went away at lower speeds. I brought the car in to the shop on 5/18/2026 with 74,000 mile…
The steering wheel takes more effort to turn than it should and does not return to center after making a turn. It has been like this since I bought the car used, and I did not realize until recently that it should not be like this. Comments on some online forums indicate that thi…
The steering wheel locks and stiffens on turns to the left or right refusing to come back to center on its own. In the middle of the turn the wheel locks up. Been told by multiple dealerships and forums I've read online it's a known issue with the car needing a steering gear rep…
Issue: Total failure of Frontview Camera ADAS sensor, disabling Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Front Pedestrian Braking, and Lane Keep Assist. Technical Evidence: GDS2 telemetry confirms a "No Communication" status for the camera hardware. Core safety modules including the …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The steering gear in this vehicle began to fail around 40K miles. It clunks at low speed, doesn't roll out of turns, and recently has begun to oscillate during straight driving. I w…
Steering gear and torque sensor failure at 39,000 miles. Car is unsafe to drive and costs over $3500 to fix. The problem has been diagnosed at a dealership. No warning lights or codes apparent, problem is worsening and the car is becoming unsafe to drive. Steering gear or rack co…
Vehicle steering wheel fails to return to center after sweeping turn. Found it’s a common issue and is incredibly dangerous and should be recalled!
The steering on my car is sticking and failing. When I make a turn, the steering wheel does not go back to the center on its own. I have to physically pull it back, otherwise the car will keep turning. When driving straight, the steering wheel gets "stuck." I have to use extra fo…
Water has infiltrated the lower trunk area and fried the sound amplifier. The result is no sounds can be heard from the speakers. This includes sounds and warnings from the safety systems. Seat belt, ADAS, BLIS, OnStar, Turn Signals, Radio. The rear hatch seals seem to be intac…
As with other Chevy bolts, the rack and pinion steering completely broke no longer able to steer vehicle.
Steering will not return to center. After going around a turn, or even a curve like an exit ramp, the steering will remain locked in position and not re- center. It requires close attention and considerable force to return it to center and continue along a straight road.
Steering will not return to center. After going around a turn, or even a curve like an exit ramp, the steering will remain locked in position and not re- center. It requires close attention and considerable force to return it to center and continue along a straight road.
The steering wheel does not return to center. This appears to be a common issue on Chevy Bolts based on various forums, for example https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/steering-wont-return-to-center-bad-steering-gear-steering-sticking-in-one-direction.42988/. One has to be very a…
So I bought a used Bolt and the steering is sticking, at moderate speed (50mph) sweeping corners it lightly wants to pull harder into the corner and won't return to center if you let off the wheel, regardless of direction, you must always forcefully guide the steering wheel back …
Steering rack is binding, not returning to center after completing a turn. Only 50,000 miles on it.
Steering wheel does not return to center after making sharp turns. Steering wheel must be manually returned to center to avoid crashing.
Power steering fails go return to center intermittently causing unexpected handling characteristics while turning that could cause to over/undershoot a turn. Haven't taken it to the dealer to check and there are no warnings or lights.
I am filing this urgent safety complaint regarding a critical failure of the steering system in my 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV, which began experiencing problems at approximately 40,000 miles. This is not an isolated incident; numerous identical reports exist from other Bolt EV owners…
Low mileage vehicle purchased preowned with only 32,166 miles, and steering wheel (steering rack & pinion) is stiff and will not return wheel to center after turning more than a quarter turn.
Steering not returning to center when coming out of turns. Many have reported this issue with the steering rack. Concerned that steering will bind and cause an accident
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev.
Safety recalls
2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev. Six recalls indicate significant post-sale issues; verifying all recall repairs is essential before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev reliable?▾
Minor Issues. NHTSA currently shows 173 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2019 Bolt EV shows a high complaint volume relative to its single model year, with electrical and propulsion issues dominating. Buyers should proceed with caution and ensure all recalls are addressed and a thorough inspection is performed. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (85 complaints). #2: Fuel/Propulsion System (44 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (43 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 10 fire reports out of 173 total complaints. 5 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev. A major recall area is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. Six recalls indicate significant post-sale issues; verifying all recall repairs is essential before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev?▾
The 2019 Bolt EV shows a high complaint volume relative to its single model year, with electrical and propulsion issues dominating. Buyers should proceed with caution and ensure all recalls are addressed and a thorough inspection is performed. Electrical faults and propulsion system issues can lead to unexpected breakdowns or reduced range, directly impacting reliability and ownership costs. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Bolt Ev reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Ev based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.