repaired · 2025 Q4
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk. A fire increases the risk of injury.
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EVProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 89 owner complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV, most often about the steering. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-701 the manufacturer reports only 64% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 17, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV has problems
89 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
38Steering
30Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
12Power train
11Fuel/propulsion system
7Service brakes
5Engine
3Vehicle speed control
2Visibility/wiper
2Suspension
22 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 38 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 30 | 1 |
| Power train | 12 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 |
| 2 other systems | 2 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk. A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Propulsion system: traction battery
Park outsideRisk. A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
repaired · 2021 Q4
Propulsion system: traction battery
Park outsideRisk. A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Show 1 more recall
repaired · 2020 Q1
Disc: caliper
Risk. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Best & worst years
2018 vs. every other Bolt EV year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Bolt EV median. How we score
'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Electric Vehicle Battery FiresLed to recall 21V-650
- Electrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing Enel X Way USA, LLC's JuiceBox residential charger.No recall
In owners' words
What Bolt EV owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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. Dealer shop now says the steering column is on EXTREME backorder with no time…
When driving at parking lot speeds, I hear a clunk sound and I feel some vibration in the steering column. This is not observed at higher speeds. Also, the steering intermittently becomes stiff and at other times is loose.
Own a 2018 Bolt EV?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.