What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Typical pattern

8.4% of complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2018 vehicle — around the middle of the 182 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (37 complaints), typically at 7.1 yr or about 42,987 miles.

Complaints
119
Median age at failure
4.0 yr
Median mileage
17,000 n=31
Crash / fire / tow
2.5% of reports
Safety recalls
5 2 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
37 reports · 42,987 mi
7.1 yr
0%
Electrical system
30 reports · 18,000 mi
3.8 yr
3.3%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

21V560000 2021-07-23 Do not drive
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

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.

A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

20V701000 2020-11-13 Do not drive
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

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.

A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

23V845000 2023-12-14
Structure:body:roof and pillars

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.

A fire increases the risk of injury.

22V930000 2022-12-15
Structure:body:roof and pillars

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.

A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.

18V576000 2018-08-30
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

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.

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 7,403 mi 1.6 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, "SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO POWER OFF THE VEHICLE WITH THE START BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FAULKNER CHEVROLET OF LANCASTER (LOCATED AT 2000 BENNET AVE, LANCASTER, PA 17601, (717) 299-0961) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE MODULE, INVERTER, AND A POWER CABLE (HARNESS) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,403.
Electrical system 37,513 mi 3.0 yr in service
THE FIRST YEAR OF THE LEASE, THE MAIN COMPUTER BEGAN TO FAIL AND THE ENTIRE SCREEN WOULD BECOME BLACK, WITH THE ENTIRE CAR INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER ON THE FREEWAY. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. LATER ON, THE BLIND SPOT SENSORS BECAME ERRATIC, BUT THIS IS LIKELY DUE TO A SHODDY REPAIR BY THE DEALERSHIP AFTER SOMEONE REAR-ENDED THE CAR. THE PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE POWERTRAIN. THE BATTERY RANGE DECREASED BY NEARLY HALF WHILE DRIVING, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS IN A REMOTE LOCATION. THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY MODULES ON THE 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT.
Electrical system 19,874 mi 3.3 yr in service
BATTERY FIRE RECALL. DEALER LIMITED THE BATTERY FULL CHARGE TO 90% IN NOVEMBER 2020.GM PROMISED A FIX BY FIRST OF 2021. NO FIX AS OF THIS DATE AND MY DRIVING RANGE IS LIMITED AND NOW REQUIRES FREQUENT CHARGING.
Steering mileage not reported 3.3 yr in service
Steering on this vehicle failed at less than 40,000 miles. Car is almost uncontrollable and drifts off the road; steering now requires enormous force to maintain a straight course.

Other Bolt EV model years

2023202220212020201920182017

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