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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 74 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV owner complaints

Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV, describing incidents dated February 13, 2018 to August 1, 2025.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 29 complaints
  • Steering 25 complaints
  • Power Train 12 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 10 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 8 complaints
  • Service Brakes 6 complaints

Of the 74 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 74 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11765054 · Filed

    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. IT definitely seems to be a design and /or assembly flaw. Local GM…

  • ODI #11678008 · Filed

    The steering rack loses its lubrication make it turn harder and could potentially fail completely leading to a loss of steering. I noticed that when I am steering around a curve the steering wheel fails to pull back to the center position and has to be manually forced back. Loss of steering or…

  • ODI #11674151 · Filed

    Sometimes, the steering wheel of the car will not return back to center after turning. The steering also feels a lot heavier. This usually happens after driving straight for a little and then having to make a turn, but may happen spontaneously in other situations as well. The steering wheel suddenly…

Read all 74 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Fire Risk after Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment

NHTSA #23V845000 · Structure — Body — Roof and Pillars · NHTSA notice

Reported December 14, 2023 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 6,771 vehicles

Repair completion: 87.92% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N232421970 · Owners notified January 24, 2024

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A fire increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Fire Risk after Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment

NHTSA #22V930000 · Structure — Body — Roof and Pillars · NHTSA notice

Reported December 15, 2022 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 111,242 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.47% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N222383790 · Owners notified January 23, 2023

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire

NHTSA #21V560000 · Electrical System — Propulsion System — Traction Battery · NHTSA notice

Reported July 23, 2021 · General Motors, LLC

Potentially affected: 57,414 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.2% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign N212343880 · Owners notified August 13, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV batteries

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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, 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. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N212343880.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire

NHTSA #20V701000 · Electrical System — Propulsion System — Traction Battery · NHTSA notice

Reported November 13, 2020 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 50,932 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign N202311730 · Owners notified May 11, 2021 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV batteries

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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. GM will notify owners, and as an interim repair, beginning on November 17, 2020, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module 2 (HPCM2) to limit the full charge to 90%, free of charge. Owners are advised to 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%, or park outside, until the software update is completed. Owners were notified of the interim repair beginning November 17, 2020. The second notice was mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N202311730.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Insufficient Coating on Rear Brake Caliper Pistons

NHTSA #18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Caliper · NHTSA notice

Reported August 30, 2018 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 210,628 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.86% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 18279 · Owners notified October 11, 2018 · Vehicles built March 27, 2018 – July 17, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Chevrolet Bolt EV model years

Check your 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Bolt EV at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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