Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 6 of 67 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
67 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2021
Unknown Or Other
I am reporting an issue that may affect every Chevy Bolt EV owner and possess a serious safety issue for children. I discovered this issue while being an owner of two 2021 Chevy Bolts. I discovered that if a key is locked in the vehicles back storage area while the vehicle is running no door will open. If children are in car s…
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I am reporting an issue that may affect every Chevy Bolt EV owner and possess a serious safety issue for children. I discovered this issue while being an owner of two 2021 Chevy Bolts. I discovered that if a key is locked in the vehicles back storage area while the vehicle is running no door will open. If children are in car seats and the child lock is enabled the children will be trapped until a window is broken. This could be fatal if the vehicle was set in motion some how, which is not hard. Below I am giving a step by step on how to replicate this issue for the safety of other owners and the general public. 1. Engage Children Locks on door 2. Start Vehicle 3. Lock doors with remote 4. Open trunk 5. Place keys in trunk/hatch closest to the plastic locking wall 6. Close trunk 7. Attempt to open trunk/hatch
NHTSA ODI #11423388
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2021
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other
Groan, Squeak or Rubbing Type Noise When Turning Steering Wheel. Vehicle turning sluggish, is a safety hazard. Sounds like premature failure of steering parts on vehicle at 3500 miles. Others are having the same problem on the Internet forums.
NHTSA ODI #11423219
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2021
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
As I started to leave the driveway in a forward driving position, my brand new Chevy bolt with only 2430 miles on it put itself into park. It made a terrible metal grinding noise and jolted us forward. My foot was still on the accelerator because I thought it was going to drive but it stopped then I looked around trying to figur…
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As I started to leave the driveway in a forward driving position, my brand new Chevy bolt with only 2430 miles on it put itself into park. It made a terrible metal grinding noise and jolted us forward. My foot was still on the accelerator because I thought it was going to drive but it stopped then I looked around trying to figure out why. The “e” break was not on and I realized that the car was in park. Nothing was around the drive stick. Nothing touched it and I believe it put it’s self into park when I was driving. This was very scary to us and I did not know what to do so I called the Chevy dealer where I bought the car and they said to bring it into get checked. On my way the accelerator pedal started to wiggle and shake slightly.
NHTSA ODI #11421350
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2021
Electrical System
Backup camera on while driving at freeway speeds: While driving on the highway, the infotainment system started having trouble. First my Carplay disconnected and I couldn't reconnect. When trying to fix it, I hit the 'home' button. Then the backup camera displayed on the display covering all other functions (battery info, te…
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Backup camera on while driving at freeway speeds: While driving on the highway, the infotainment system started having trouble. First my Carplay disconnected and I couldn't reconnect. When trying to fix it, I hit the 'home' button. Then the backup camera displayed on the display covering all other functions (battery info, temperature, etc). I was driving at freeway speeds with the backup camera stuck on. When I was able to stop, putting it in park, briefly turning off the car with the door open did not correct the problem. Only when the car sat (infotainment fully powered off?) did the problem correct. I have not seen the issue on a few drives since then. I have a video of the problem but it's too big (16MB) to upload on this website.
NHTSA ODI #11421259
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System
I recently purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV (VIN [XXX]) with current mileage about 1800 on odometer. Two days ago my wife was driving on the 91 freeway going at normal highway speed when all of a sudden the car just decelerated ABRUPTLY to 20 mph with an error “propulsion power is reduced”. Two Ford F-150 trucks immediately b…
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I recently purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV (VIN [XXX]) with current mileage about 1800 on odometer. Two days ago my wife was driving on the 91 freeway going at normal highway speed when all of a sudden the car just decelerated ABRUPTLY to 20 mph with an error “propulsion power is reduced”. Two Ford F-150 trucks immediately behind her had to veer quickly around her (but this could’ve easily caused other accidents as well). She had to cross three lanes of traffic to get on to the shoulder while only able to drive at 20 mph. There was still 131 miles of battery charge left so it wasn’t because of low battery. Overall it was an EXTREMELY dangerous situation whenever a car decelerates abruptly without any warning especially while driving on freeway. I don’t know how she escaped unscathed and was not rear-ended, but she is traumatized by the entire incident. I want to report this so that you are aware of the situation since this poses a serious public safety concern that could have fatal ramifications. Yours truly [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11418808
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2021
Service Brakes
my bolt 2021 had break locking issue within 20 days had to get it to dealer n after 12 days they return the car without fixing this particular issue but fixed some 25 other faults..and after two days again same issue happened and now after more than 2 weeks they asked me to take car back but not giving assurance that same issue …
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my bolt 2021 had break locking issue within 20 days had to get it to dealer n after 12 days they return the car without fixing this particular issue but fixed some 25 other faults..and after two days again same issue happened and now after more than 2 weeks they asked me to take car back but not giving assurance that same issue reproduced n fixed.. fortunately both times issue happened in parking lot but i am afraid about it that while on freeway if that happens so dont want to take chance i requested dealer for replacement vehicle which is thoroughly inspected but they asked to deal that with GM directly and i opened case with GM but there is little to no communication from them
NHTSA ODI #11418157
6 miles · May 4, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System
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 …
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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
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Dealers will reinstall advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N242470160.
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.
Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Dealers will reinstall advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N242470160.
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.
Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Dealers will reinstall advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N242470160.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Dealers will reinstall the advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 1, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's numbers for this recall are N242443000 and N242443002.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232421970.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
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.
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232421970.
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.
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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 (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232421970.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
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.
Consequence: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 1, 2021 and June 23, 2023. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall 21V-560. GM's number for this recall is N212345940.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
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 matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
2021 Chevrolet Bolt Ev Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year