What year is the bad Chevy Bolt?
On august 20, 2021, chevrolet extended the recall to include all bolt models (both ev and euv) and model years (2017-2022) totaling the number of recalled chevy bolt cars to nearly 142,000. Battery recall and high-voltage pack issues the single biggest headline around chevrolet bolt ev common problems has been the high‑voltage battery recall related to potential fire risk. Between 2017 and 2022, essentially all bolt ev and euv models were pulled into some version of this campaign.Earlier Bolt EVs (2017–2021) suffered a rare but serious defect in LG‑supplied battery modules that could cause fires. GM’s response was to recall every single affected Bolt, replace full packs or modules, and roll out new diagnostic software to watch for bad cells.
What year Bolt is best?
For the best years to buy a used Chevy Bolt, we’d go for a newer 2022 or 2023 model. The Bolt is Chevy’s first attempt at a mass-produced electric car. Low used prices mean the Bolt may qualify for a used EV tax credit. The Bolt can travel between 240 and 260 miles on a charge, depending on the year. A 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV has depreciated $11,588 or 44% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $14,450 and trade-in value of $13,100. A 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV has depreciated $11,588 or 44% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $14,450 and trade-in value of $13,100.Best all‑around choice If you can stretch your budget, a 2021–2023 Bolt EV or EUV gives you the larger 65–66 kWh pack, fresher software, and, on later cars, more remaining factory warranty, often for only a few thousand dollars more than older models.
Is it worth buying a Bolt car?
Short answer. A used Chevy Bolt can be an excellent buy if you want a low-cost, long-range EV mainly for commuting and city driving, and you’re careful about battery recall status, charging needs, and price. It’s not ideal if you rely heavily on fast charging for frequent long road trips or need a larger family vehicle . On the 2026 used market, the Chevy Bolt EV is often cheaper than a lot of five‑year‑old gas hatchbacks, yet still offers over 200 miles of real-world range and modern safety tech. The tradeoff is slower DC fast charging and an interior that feels a generation behind newer EVs.The best years to buy a used Chevy Bolt are the 2022-2023 models. Because the Bolt only ran for one generation, there isn’t much daylight between the model years. We’d go for the newer-model Bolts because they offered more features and the Bolt EUV option.