2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 89
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Steering
Campaigns on file for 2018
Opened by NHTSA
43% of complaints
Complaints per year
2018: 89 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 350 |
| 2018 | 89 |
| 2019 | 179 |
| 2020 | 176 |
| 2021 | 67 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 62 |
| 2027 | 6 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Steering
43% · 38 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Steering has resistance and will not to return to center/neutral position without driver manipulation. I've never experienced this probelm with another car and See many other Chevrolet Bolt owners have experienced the same problem.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-17
Power steering assist cut out while driving and traction controllight came on. There is now no steering assist. The car is with the dealer shop and their diagnostics indicate the the steering column needs to be replaced.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-05
The rack and pinion steering degraded over a short period of time with less than 25,000 miles on the vehicle. The first thing we noticed was that the steering wheel would not return to center.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-30
Electrical system
34% · 30 reportsMost commonly citing traction battery.
Show complaint excerpts
On March 17, 2019 at approximately 3:45P.m., we parked the bolt in the driveway of our home. We exited the bolt and plugged it into our juicebox (Level 2) charger as usual. At approximately 5:00 pm, we were alerted that the bolt was on fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-07-08
Power train
13% · 12 reportsFuel/propulsion system
12% · 11 reportsService brakes
8% · 7 reportsSafety timeline
5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2018-10-11Service brakes, hydraulic18V576000 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...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
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I
2020-10-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2022-02-07 Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
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2021-05-11Electrical system20V701000 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.
Remedy: This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-560. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-701 will still need to have the new remedy under recall 21V-560.
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2021-08-13Electrical system21V560000 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.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently,...
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2023-01-23Seat belts, structure22V930000 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.
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.
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I
2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
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2024-01-24Seat belts, structure23V845000 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.
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.
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I
2024-10-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2025-06-05 Electrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing Enel X Way USA, LLC's JuiceBox residential charger.
Buy-smart checklist
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Steering: 38 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 30 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 12 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 18V576000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 20V701000 · Electrical system
- Recall 21V560000 · Electrical system
- Recall 22V930000 · Seat belts, structure
- Recall 23V845000 · Seat belts, structure
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
- The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.