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Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.
Chevrolet · Compact Hatchback

2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Electric
Small Station Wagons
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
49 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls3 critical 6
Complaints2 crash · 10 fire · 5 injured reported 178
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
EV rangebest configuration, EPA 238 mi
2023202220212020201920182017

The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact hatchback. Its longest-range version, the Bolt EV, is EPA-rated at 238 miles with 119 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 178 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Chevrolet Bolt — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Chevrolet Bolt · Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Bolt EVElectricFWD150 kW ACPM128110119 MPGe238 mi28.39.3 h$650

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 40520.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Bolt EV10 / 10Federal Tier 3 Bin 0 / California ZEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standardsSmartWay Elite

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleHatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Doors4
GVWR classClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Engine Output

Horsepower200 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelElectric

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Blind-spot monitoring, Electronic stability control

Optional: Automatic emergency braking, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: LT, Premier). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

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Factory warranty running out?

The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Structure

N232421970
6,771 vehicles 88% reported repaired
Problem General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. This recall includes certain vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire. Risk A fire increases the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and, if necessary, install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust. Certain vehicles will also need a pretensioner cover installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under recall number 22V-930 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Owners may contact GM EV Concierge at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-83
NHTSA campaign 23V845000 reported Dec 14, 2023 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Structure

N222383790
111,242 vehicles 88% reported repaired
Problem General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire. Risk A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust, and install a pretensioner cover as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between January 23, 2023 and April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222383790.
NHTSA campaign 22V930000 reported Dec 15, 2022 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

N212343880
Park outside 57,414 vehicles 98% reported repaired
Problem General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-701. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity. Risk A battery fire increases the risk of injury. Fix Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Defective battery modules will be replaced by GM, free of charge. Interim notification letters notifying owners o
NHTSA campaign 21V560000 reported Jul 23, 2021 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Electrical System

N202311730
Park outside 50,932 vehicles
Problem General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling all 2017-2018 and certain 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity. Risk A battery fire increases the risk of injury. Fix This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-560. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-701 will still need to have the new remedy under recall 21V-560. GM will notify owners, and as an interim repair, beginning on November 17, 2020, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module 2 (HPCM2) to limit the full charge to 90%, free of charge. Owners are advised to activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their
NHTSA campaign 20V701000 reported Nov 13, 2020 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

A202298320
897 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. 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. Risk 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. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear inside door-handle cables, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A202298320.
NHTSA campaign 20V184000 reported Mar 26, 2020 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

18279
210,628 vehicles 96% reported repaired built Mar 27, 2018 – Jul 17, 2018
Problem General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance. Risk A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 18V576000 reported Aug 30, 2018 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021. On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject mat

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005 · the investigation’s page →

Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery — Electric Vehicle Battery Fires closed

In October 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) on 2017-2020 Model Year (MY) Chevrolet Bolt vehicles based on complaints received alleging that the vehicles caught fire under the seating area while parked and unattended. At the time, ODI had received 2 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and several field reports. All complaints alleged vehicles caught fire during or after electrical charging. ODI's review found vehicle thermal events occurred during and/or at the end of the battery module charging cycle. The information learned from NHTSA and General Motors joint vehicle inspections prompted General Motors to file Recall 20V-701 on April 29, 2

Opened Oct 9, 2020 · closed Feb 7, 2022 · action PE20016 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Bolt EV

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2019 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Chevrolet publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this Bolt EV →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
178complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 10 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported

83 per 10,000 built · Chevrolet reported 21,362 Bolt EV built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2018: 2 · 2019: 11 · 2020: 13 · 2021: 77 · 2022: 23 · 2023: 17 · 2024: 10 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 14

Most-cited components

Steering 46
Fuel/Propulsion System 44
Unspecified 21
Power Train 13
Forward Collision Avoidance 6

In depth: electrical problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

In the early morning hours of october 21st, around 3am, we were woken up by smoke/fire alarms. We started running around our home to identify the cause of the alarm. After about 5 minutes of searching inside the home and finding nothing, we realized that there was some smell of smoke coming from the garage and when the mudroom door which…
Electrical System Oct 30, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11372429
This is a note regarding the manual disconnect fuse on Chevrolet bolts, including the 2019 model. Failure of the fuse while driving can cause injury/death. My Chevrolet dealer is taking three weeks to fix the issue.
Electronic Stability Control at 14,502 miles Sep 16, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11355317
On june 1, 2020, 1-yr old vehicle (4000 miles on odometer) with 55% battery charge lost full propulsion power on a gentle curve on a country road at 40mph in l drive setting. Propulsion gone, steering stiff, warning bells, service-vehicle-soon warning messages. I coasted barely off the road onto the shoulder. Car was towed to dealer.
Fuel/Propulsion System at 4,000 miles Jun 5, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11327471
I have a 2019 Bolt Ev (mileage approximately 10k) that automatically shifted gear to "park" mode from the "l" mode and slowed to an almost stop while I was on the highway at rush hour driving approximately 65 mi/hr. I was able to safely steer the car to a median and call on star after repeatedly shutting power off and back on again.
Power Train at 10,000 miles Feb 14, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11309133
Braking failures. After driving the vehicle for a few miles with normal operation of the regenerative braking system, the car was in motion (about 45 MPH) when the car's regenerative braking system was requested by completely removing the foot from the accelerator in "l" mode (the "one foot driving" mode that automatically brakes as less…
Service Brakes at 650 miles Sep 4, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11253270
Car came with light gray dashboard which unbeknownst to me and undeclared by dealer has been reported to NHTSA since 2017 as a safety hazard due to reflection and glare that this color dashboard creates.
Visibility/Wiper at 400 miles Aug 5, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11241906

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Chevrolet itself: 11 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 15 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 51 per 100,000 built. Every Bolt EV model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 12k

miles, typically

Half the 35 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 4,000 and 24,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 15
10k–20k 11
20k–30k 3
30k–40k 2
40k–50k 3
50k–60k 1
60k–70k 0
70k–80k 0
80k–90k 0
90k–100k 0
100k–150k 0
150k + 0

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Electrical System1515,0000.98×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2019-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★10%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 1 filing by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every GM warranty extension (33) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 630
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-26
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 623 service bulletins, 5 service campaigns, 1 warranty extension

Most often about: Equipment, Electrical System, Unknown Or Other, Power Train, Engine.

  • PIT5698F Service bulletin
    2026-09-26 · Unknown Or Other
  • This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
  • PIP4902W Service bulletin
    2026-09-04 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
  • PIT5099J Service bulletin
    2026-07-21 · Unknown Or Other
  • PI to help diagnose A/C concern
  • PIT3271Q Service bulletin
    2026-04-01 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
  • PIP6104 Service bulletin
    2026-03-09 · Unknown Or Other
  • This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
  • PIP4902V Service bulletin
    2026-03-09 · Unknown Or Other
  • This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
  • N252541510 Service campaign
    2026-03-03 · Unknown Or Other
  • Certain vehicles may have been sold with a GM NACS Level 2 EV charging adapter (NACS to J1772) in which a quality issue was identified. Dealers are to provide the customer with the latest design charging adapter.
  • PIT6425D Service bulletin
    2026-03-02 · Unknown Or Other
  • This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0BBD
P0BBD on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →11 bulletins
B3055
B3055 on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine5 bulletins
B3060
B3060 on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine5 bulletins
B3935
B3935 on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine5 bulletins
P0300
P0300 on Chevrolet →
Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder.Engine · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P0308
P0308 on Chevrolet →
Cylinder 8 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →4 bulletins
P050D
P050D on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine4 bulletins
B094CManufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →2 bulletins
B1008
B1008 on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Lane Departure2 bulletins
B101D
B101D on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment2 bulletins
B101EManufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment2 bulletins
B395A
B395A on Chevrolet →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment2 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV failed the safety inspection on 4.2% of first inspections — higher than the 1.7% for every 2019 model-year vehicle inspected.

New York inspections 4.2%

failed the safety inspection

356 initial inspections of 351 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2019 Bolt EVEvery 2019 vehicleBehind it
Failed the safety inspection4.2%1.7%356
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0%0.20%356
Miles driven a year8,8939,904odometer at inspection
Average odometer64,59672,084odometer at inspection

Electric vehicles get no emissions test in New York, so the safety inspection is the record here. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2019 vehicle” is every 2019 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Common questions about the 2019 Bolt EV

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 6 recall campaigns for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 3 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 22V930000, covering Structure. 2 of them were filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. There is an active park outside advisory — act on it before driving. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV?

NHTSA gave the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 5-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (49/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV?

For the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV, the longest EPA range is 238 miles on a charge. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What do owners complain about on the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV?

Owners have filed 178 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV, most often about electrical system, steering, fuel/propulsion system. Of those, 2 involved a crash, 10 a fire, 5 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV?

The EPA smog rating for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV is 10 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California ZEV, Federal Tier 3 Bin 0 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV?

The manufacturer has filed 630 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV, most often covering equipment, electrical system, unknown or other. The most recent is dated 2026-09-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV failed the safety inspection on 4.2% of first inspections — higher than the 1.7% for every 2019 model-year vehicle inspected. The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV better than the 2019 Toyota Prius c?

The Chevrolet Bolt EV edges it, 71.1 to 67.5, on fuel & range. The Toyota Prius c is ahead on safety. Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.8 and it flips. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV against the 2019 Toyota Prius c — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations1 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates1 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls6NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints178NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings1 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins630NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations2NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA7 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

JSON for this page · API