I Bought a 2020 Bolt with a Replaced Battery But It's Still Limited to 80% Charge, Dealer Says That's Normal, But I Need Proof It's Not

There’s a lot to love about the Chevy Bolt. It’s the scrappy underdog in a Tesla-obsessed EV world, plucky, affordable, genuinely fun to drive, and surprisingly practical for the daily grind. It offered average Americans a clean, electric commuter without needing to auction off their kidneys. And for the most part, Bolt owners sing its praises until the dreaded battery gate shows up at their doorstep.

Chevy Bolt Warranty Woes

Such is the case for one unfortunate owner who recently made a post in the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV Owners Group:

“Recently bought a 2020 Bolt and vehicle has had the HV battery replaced in December. The vehicle is capped at an 80% charge limit. I've asked the dealer to remove the limit, as it should be removed when the battery is replaced.

They assure me it will come off after I drive some number of miles. First day with the car, I charged it and received all the usual propulsion-reduced messages. Fast forward 2 weeks, and I'm told it needs another HV battery and will be 4-6 weeks. I asked if the charge limit would be removed, and they said no. Does anyone have an actual document showing that the charge capacity should be removed? I can't argue my case by just saying I saw people online say it should be removed.”

Chevy Bolt EV Specs: Range, Efficiency, & Safety Features

• The Chevrolet Bolt EV offers an EPA-estimated range of 259 miles on a full charge, providing ample distance for both daily commutes and longer trips without frequent recharging. Its energy consumption is rated at 119 MPGe combined, reflecting its efficient use of electricity. ​
• Classified as a small station wagon by the EPA, the Bolt EV features a tall hatchback design that comfortably accommodates passengers and cargo. With 94 cubic feet of passenger volume and 17 cubic feet of cargo space, it balances compact exterior dimensions with a roomy interior, making it practical for various needs. ​
• The Bolt EV is equipped with modern safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor, enhancing driver confidence and vehicle safety.

This isn’t your standard infotainment bug or flaky tire pressure sensor, this is an electrical existential crisis. EV battery replacements are a known part of the landscape; Tesla, Nissan, and even Hyundai have all danced this tango before.

But two HV batteries in two months and a lingering 80% charge cap? That’s not maintenance; that’s a recurring nightmare in a certified pre-owned wrapper. It’s not a problem; it’s a symptom of a deeper flaw in the post-sale support ecosystem, where software updates lag, and dealership techs are too often three steps behind the forums.

Battery Replacement Nightmares

Fortunately, when the dealer leaves you in the dark, the comment section flicks on the flashlight. One user pointed out,

“I have no paperwork. But this last warranty for the battery left me with 100% charge right away.”

Another struck gold with a likely culprit:

“Part of the problem is your VIN software needs to be updated by GM corporate (the dealership can’t do it; they just pull it). I have run into this problem as well.”

They even dropped a link to a Technical Service Bulletin.

Questioning GM’s 80% Battery Charge Limit

But perhaps the strangest critique came from a commenter whose logic cut through GM’s PR answers: 

“It makes zero sense to have an 80% limit on a NEW battery. If that were the case, every new Equinox, Blazer, and Lyric would be limited to 80% for the first 6,000 miles. The whole point of the limit is to limit stress and monitor an original battery that might have the manufacturing defect that the recall was for. A new battery would not have that defect. The only way this makes sense is if their replacement batteries are actually old batteries.”

Turning Post‑Warranty Issues Into a Guessing Game

And that’s the real problem. GM’s messaging, or lack thereof, has turned a simple post-warranty procedure into a guessing game. Some dealers are updating software, others are parroting outdated recall scripts. Meanwhile, customers are left with a limited car, no paper trail, and a growing suspicion that their “new” battery might have seen a few too many test cycles before it landed in their car.

All of this comes at a time when GM has already closed the chapter on the Bolt. Discontinued in 2023, the Bolt wasn’t axed because it was a bad car; it was a good car built on old bones. GM has shifted its focus to the Ultium platform, a modular, scalable architecture that will underpin everything from the Silverado EV to the new Equinox EV. The Bolt, with its LG Chem cells and unique architecture, simply didn’t fit the future. It was a technological cul-de-sac, and GM needed a freeway.

Reviving the EV Legacy & GM’s New Direction

But the spirit of the Bolt lives on, and nowhere is that clearer than in the Blazer EV. Aggressive styling, a respectable range, and a platform that finally feels cohesive rather than cobbled together. Reviews have been positive, and early adopters aren’t facing the same software snafus or battery charge restrictions. Even GM’s notoriously reluctant dealer network seems to be catching on, slowly shifting from confusion to competence. The Blazer EV is more than just a stylish crossover, it’s GM proving that it can learn from the past.

And yet, stories like this Bolt owner’s experience remind us that legacy still matters. You can build the future, but if the service infrastructure is stuck in the past, even your best cars will stumble. Most Bolt owners will never encounter this kind of mess, but for those that do, it’s a brutal reminder that owning an EV isn’t just about the tech; it’s about the support. Until GM fully closes the gap between hardware, software, and service, there will always be a few unlucky souls stuck in limbo, driving cars that could do more but aren’t allowed to.

A Retrospective on a Bold Yet Troubled EV Journey

So, where does this leave the Bolt? Not forgotten, just retired. And perhaps unfairly so. It was the right car at the right time, but maybe built in the wrong way. As GM marches forward into its Ultium era, one hopes it brings with it the lessons from the Bolt’s bumpy but bold run, not just in engineering but in how it treats the drivers who put their faith in the bowtie.

Image Sources: Facebook Group Chevy Bolt EV and EUV Owners Group, Chevy Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.