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

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Early-defect pattern

53.6% of complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV came in its first year of service — a higher share than 99% of the 159 2021 model-years on record. That points to problems present from new rather than wear. The most-reported system is electrical system (33 complaints), typically at 1.0 yr or about 5,000 miles.

Complaints
97
Median age at failure
1.0 yr
Median mileage
2,700 n=7
Crash / fire / tow
7.2% of reports
Safety recalls
5 3 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
33 reports · 5,000 mi
1.0 yr
6.1%
Fuel / propulsion
15 reports · 6 mi
1.3 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

24V812000 2024-10-31 Do not drive
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV vehicles previously repaired under Recall 21V-650. The installation of advanced diagnostic software may have failed. As such, the high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.

A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

24V481000 2024-06-27 Do not drive
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resulting in a battery fire.

A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

21V650000 2021-08-20 Do not drive
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV 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.

In owners’ own words

Fuel / propulsion 6 mi 7 mo in service
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM DIAMOND CHEVROLET ON APRIL 17 THE 2021 CHEVY BOLT HAD 3 MILES ON THE ODO I DROVE THE BOLT 3 MORE MILES AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND REDUCED SPEED ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE DISPLAY FLASHED A WARNING OF REDUCED POWER AND THE BOLT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE REQUIRING THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED. AFTER TEN DAYS AT DEALERSHIP PROBLEM WAS A BAD TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER PUMP. I THINK A DEFECTIVE PUMP LASTING ONLY 6 MILES IS A SAFETY CONCERN
Fuel / propulsion mileage not reported 1.3 yr in service
While accelerating, the vehicle's drive system stopped functioning. The vehicle slowly came to a stop while displaying errors about the propulsion, and was no longer able to move under it's own power. All other systems were still working, however the hazard lights do not stay on when I had to try powering the vehicle off and back on again. The vehicle has been towed to a Chevrolet dealership for diagnosis.
Fuel / propulsion mileage not reported 4 mo in service
First the selfseal tire fiasco on 7/2/21 then in late August with the recall GM agreed to buy back the Bolt. The dealer picked up the Bolt on 9/3/21. On 11/16/21 GM offered me a horrible buy back that didn't cover all my downpayment and fees at the time of lease. I rejected it and I am still paying and insuring for a car unsafe at zero speeds. Anyway NTSA can hold GM accountable over the Bolt failure? This defect was present when I leased this car new on 1/31/21 and GM was already buying back Bolts. This should have never been sold to me in the first place.
Electrical system mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V650000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had a exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact contacted the dealer and the dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Other Bolt EV model years

2023202220212020201920182017

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