The Lemon IndexChevrolet Bolt.
The best Chevrolet Bolt years are 2017, 2021, 2020. Years to avoid: 2020, 2021, 2017. Across 2017-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 410, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2017 to 2023.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Best years to buy
2017.
Quick answers.
Is the Chevrolet Bolt a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2017-2022: Lemon Index 410; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2017 and the worst is 2020.
What are the best Chevrolet Bolt years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2017, 2021, 2020.
What Chevrolet Bolt years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2020, 2021, 2017.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Bolt have?
20 safety recalls across the 4 model years we track. Most: 2020 (8), 2021 (5), 2017 (4). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Chevrolet Bolt problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name electrical, fuel or ev drive system and steering most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 254 | 2.5× the average car's complaints | 64 | electrical (33%) | 4 | — | 119 |
| 2020 | 571 | 5.7× the average car's complaints | 111 | electrical (65%) | 8 | ★★★★★ | 118 |
| 2021 | 272 | 2.7× the average car's complaints | 58 | electrical (52%) | 5 | ★★★★★ | 118 |
| 2023 | 465 | 4.7× the average car's complaints | 180 | electrical (25%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 115–120 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data