Chevrolet Bolt EV problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 5 model years (2019–2023), NHTSA has logged 532 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls for the Chevrolet Bolt EV. That averages 17.8 complaints per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (index 0.42 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Electric vehicles segment it ranks #2 of 10 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 56.4.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Over five model years from 2019 to 2023, the Chevrolet Bolt EV has recorded 532 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls, averaging 17.8 complaints per year which is far fewer than typical at an index of 0.42 against all tracked vehicles. Within the Electric vehicles segment it ranks #2 of 10 for fewest complaints per year while the segment average is 56.4, and the trend remains flat with half of all reported incidents occurring within 30 months of the model year's start. The most common problem area is Electrical accounting for 42.1% of complaints followed by Steering at 17.7% and Fuel system at 8.3%, where Electrical complaints are 2.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Owners report 11 injuries and 0 deaths with recurring terms including "fire" and "system recall," while the latest NHTSA defect investigation regarding electrical arcing and thermal events was opened on 2024-10-03 and closed on 2025-06-05.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2022 and 2023 models are within 0% of the 2019 and 2020 models (37 early complaints per model year versus 31).
The 2020 model year has the highest rate (25.8 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (11.8).
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Electrical (42.1% of complaints), followed by Steering (17.7%) and Fuel system (8.3%). Electrical complaints are 2.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “return center”, “battery”, “notification electrical”, “fire” and “system recall”. 39 complaints (7.3%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 11 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 68 complaints versus 57 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2023 model year generated the most recent reports (25). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 30 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 13 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2020 (4), 5 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 3 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model; the latest is “Electrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing Enel X Way USA, LLC's JuiceBox residential charger.” (opened 2024-10-03, closed 2025-06-05).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Tesla Model S; Tesla Model X, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning and Kia EV6 have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 175 | 22.8 | 0.54 | 26 | 0.32 | 15 | 6 ⚠ | Electrical | View › |
| 2020 | 172 | 25.8 | 0.61 | 37 | 0.65 | 17 | 8 ⚠ | Electrical | View › |
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 67 | 11.8 | 0.28 | 40 | 0.65 | 5 | 5 ⚠ | Electrical | View › |
| 2022 | 59 | 12.6 | 0.3 | 50 | 0.68 | 6 | 7 ⚠ | Electrical | View › |
| 2023 | 59 | 16.1 | 0.38 | 24 | 0.29 | 25 | 3 | Steering | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 68 · Previous 12 months: 57 Steady
Problem areas
Electrical ›
224 · 42.1% · 2.67 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- notification electrical65
- system recall58
- electrical system75
- battery90
Steering ›
94 · 17.7% · 2.72 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- return center57
- steering89
- wheel return26
- rack40
Fuel system ›
44 · 8.3% · 1.92 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- battery28
- gm's8
- charge14
- charging11
Transmission / powertrain
39 · 7.3% · 0.63 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- propulsion11
- battery13
- shift9
- reverse7
Interior & equipment
38 · 7.1% · 0.8 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- charge9
- park outside4
- battery12
- charging7
Engine
24 · 4.5% · 0.2 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- euv4
- fire9
- prioritizing3
- profit3
Brakes
15 · 2.8% · 0.46 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- brake12
- regenerative4
- lights9
- pedal6
Airbags & seat belts
15 · 2.8% · 0.74 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- airbags6
- deploy6
- air bag4
- event3
Driver-assist systems
9 · 1.7% · 0.29 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- warning system4
- manual3
- doesn't3
- lane4
Lighting
9 · 1.7% · 1.08 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- brake lights7
- bumper3
- visibility3
- low4
Body & structure
8 · 1.5% · 0.16 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- windshield3
Other
8 · 1.5% · 0.83 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- accelerator4
- foot3
- pedal3
- local3
Wheels, tires & suspension
5 · 0.9% · 0.38 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- return center57
- battery155
- notification electrical65
- fire94
- system recall58
- charge78
- electrical system77
- charging62
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 30 months
What owners report
While driving at a low speed (approx. 5–10 mph), the front passenger-side lower ball joint suffered a catastrophic structural shear without warning. This caused the wheel assembly to collapse outward and the CV axle to pull out of the transmission.
I was in a car accident on February 9th, in which my airbags did not deploy, however, I did receive an error in my Chevy app that my Air Bag system requires attention. I sustained facial injuries due to impact with the steering wheel.
The electronic steering gear (steering rack) on my 2021 Chevrolet Bolt has malfunctioned, causing the steering to feel rough, stiff, and sticky.
known issue with " anti click washer on Bolt EV " and resulting damage to related components can cause loss of control acceleration, stopping and major damage and cost, no warning lights or TSB other than for previous gen but same design and same defect…
Steering rack is starting to fail at under 47000 miles, car pulls to right during acceleration and pulls left when decelerating.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Electric vehicles
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model S | 708 | 17.4 | 0.41 | Worsening | Falling | 31 | Interior & equipment |
| 2 | Chevrolet Bolt EV | 532 | 17.8 | 0.42 | Stable | Steady | 13 | Electrical |
| 3 | Tesla Model X | 736 | 18.6 | 0.44 | Worsening | Falling | 33 | Interior & equipment |
| 4 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | 650 | 28.9 | 0.69 | Improving | Steady | 0 | Electrical |
| 5 | Ford F-150 Lightning | 536 | 33.4 | 0.79 | Improving | Falling | 2 | Electrical |
| 6 | Kia EV6 | 535 | 38.5 | 0.91 | Improving | Rising | 5 | Electrical |
| 7 | Volkswagen ID.4 | 991 | 48.7 | 1.16 | Worsening | Steady | 24 | Electrical |
| 8 | Tesla Model 3 | 4,228 | 100.4 | 2.39 | Worsening | Steady | 35 | Driver-assist systems |
| 9 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 1,319 | 114.8 | 2.73 | Improving | Rising | 14 | Electrical |
| 10 | Tesla Model Y | 3,749 | 128.3 | 3.05 | Stable | Steady | 36 | Driver-assist systems |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 13
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 5
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2019 (6) · 2020 (8) · 2021 (5) · 2022 (7) · 2023 (3)
Investigations
- Electrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing Enel X Way USA, LLC's JuiceBox residential charger. Closed
On October 3, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE24028 to investigate alleged failures of Enel X Way's JuiceBox Level 2 residential EV chargers. The allegations were described as thermal incidents and electrical malfunctions, which could trip the circuit breakers in Juicebox ownersâ homes and disrupt electric vehicle charge cycles. On October 2, 2024, Enel X Way posted on …
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
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 ele…
- Electric Vehicle Battery Fires Closed
In October 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) on 2017-2020 Model Year (MY) Chevrolet Bolt vehicles based on complaints received alleging that the vehicles caught fire under the seating area while parked and unattended. At the time, ODI had received 2 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and several field reports. All complaints alleged vehicles caug…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Bolt EV model year has the most complaints?
The 2020 model year has the highest rate (25.8 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (11.8).
Is the Chevrolet Bolt EV getting better or worse?
The trend is flat. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2022 and 2023 models are within 0% of the 2019 and 2020 models (37 early complaints per model year versus 31). In the last 12 months owners filed 68 complaints versus 57 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Chevrolet Bolt EV problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Electrical (42.1% of complaints), followed by Steering (17.7%) and Fuel system (8.3%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “return center”, “battery”, “notification electrical”, “fire” and “system recall”.
How does the Chevrolet Bolt EV compare with other Electric vehicles?
Within the Electric vehicles segment it ranks #2 of 10 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 56.4. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Tesla Model S; Tesla Model X, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning and Kia EV6 have more.
Does the Chevrolet Bolt EV have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 13 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2020 (4), 5 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 3 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model; the latest is “Electrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing Enel X Way USA, LLC's JuiceBox residential charger.” (opened 2024-10-03, closed 2025-06-05).