Chevrolet Bolt EV Complaints (2021)

67 consumer complaints on file.

#11759703August 26, 2026
STEERING
The electronic steering gear (steering rack) on my 2021 Chevrolet Bolt has malfunctioned, causing the steering to feel rough, stiff, and sticky. Crucially, the steering wheel fails to naturally return to the center position after completing a turn, forcing me to manually pull the wheel back straight. This poses a severe safety hazard, as the vehicle will continue turning off the road or into oncoming traffic unless actively corrected, and the increased physical resistance makes precise lane adjustments difficult at highway speeds. There were no warning lights, error codes, or diagnostic messages on the dashboard prior to or during this failure, as the issue is strictly mechanical
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721358March 2, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My 2021 Chevy Bolt keeps showing a battery or power-Propulsion warning light related to the high-voltage system. The warning keeps coming back even after multiple repairs. The first repair was on April 28, 2025, the second was on December 17, 2025, and it is scheduled again for another repair on March 3, 2026. The light is the same every time and affects the car’s performance and reliability. I’m concerned this could be a safety issue involving the battery or propulsion system. The dealer repairs it temporarily, but the warning keeps returning, and the problem has never been fully resolved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717938February 13, 2026
AIR BAGS
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. I believe the airbags should have deployed, but did not.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11714633January 31, 2026
STEERING
Steering rack binding. Becoming progressively harder to turn over time. Steering wheel doesn't return to center. Clunking in front end occasionally heard when hitting bumps.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688686September 21, 2025
STEERING
The steering wheel will not return to center and feels like its binding on something, sometimes its tough to steer other times not. Does not feel safe. No warning lamps and nobody has inspected or worked on it yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681730August 19, 2025
STEERING
Steering gear is bound up due to a documented manufacturing error. Steering is increasingly stiff at speed, and will not return to center without significant driver input. This is a widespread issue that has been documented and causes a major safety concern to Chevy Bolt owners and should be addressed and repaired by the manufacturer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662463May 21, 2025
STEERING
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering rack. Steering wont return to center at 38,000 miles. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Car handles unpredictably posing safety risk to others and myself. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Quoted $2,700 to replace rack and pinion. I refused service as vehicle has less than 40k miles. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655690April 20, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Video available and was given to USAA insurance company. This 2021 GM Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier trim vehicle experienced a sudden uncommanded extreme acceleration when I selected "D" (drive) mode on the transmission selector after using "R" (reverse) to back out of a parking lot parking space. The vehicle, despite my stomping and holding the brake pedal down and repeatedly selecting a different mode on the transmission selector, could not be stopped and still wanted to accelerate. The vehicle traveled an estimated 250 feet through a parking lot, crossing a street, hitting the curbs at high speed and through a field. The vehicle stopped against some concrete debris in the field pushing in the bumper slightly but with no airbag deployment. The mishap incident was video recorded and thankfully, there were no passengers or public / private property damages / injuries.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648477March 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
12v battery warning light and ion Lucian battery light came on manufacture does not want to buy back and apple car play keeps breaking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621934October 25, 2024
STEERING
STEERING GEER HAVING ISSUES OF THE STEERING WHEEL COMING BACK TO CENTER AFTER THE TURN. NOW NEED TO REPLACE STEERING GEER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11615598September 20, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Shift selector failed. Could no shift into gear Drive, low or Reverse. Locked in park but could shift to neutral. no power steering or AC. If this design flaw failure occurred while the car was on the highway, it could cause an accident. I have contacted General Motors and reported the potential safety issue and awaiting there response.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11589044May 16, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Car stalled suddenly on road. Can’t change to any driving gear, only neutral. Towed to dealer, diagnose indicated wiring harness was the cause. Expensive fix for ~$400 part with ~$3200 labor cost in addition to dangerous sudden stall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588509May 13, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle failed to stop as needed, and struck a pole. The contact stated that the Forward Collison Avoidance feature failed to stop the vehicle. The contact was unaware of a warning light being illuminated. The vehicle was not towed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the Forward Collision Avoidance was inoperable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer to get the Forward Collision Avoidance system repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact received no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572166February 15, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the "Reduced Propulsion Power" warning light illuminated, and a warning chime sounded. The contact was able to drive back to the residence. The contact called a local dealer who advised her not to drive the vehicle and to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer was unsure if the battery could be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V650000 (Electrical System) and stated that the system was to monitor the condition of the battery and related the failure to the safety campaign. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11544829September 15, 2023
STEERING, SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she was unable to keep the vehicle centered, and the vehicle was pulling either to the left or the right. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality; however, the failure had since become a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that a front alignment was required. The vehicle received the front wheel alignment, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer two additional times, but a cause for the failure was not determined; but the vehicle received a second alignment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle. The rear axle was replaced, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and agreed to buy back the vehicle. The failure mileage was 691.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539002August 16, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I believe the recall remedy gm n21345944 is not sufficient because it dies not monitor the system during the 80-100 % charge. It only allows ip to 80 which is not when it fails. Also it just gives an alert and does not shut down the battery which can allow the fure to happen. According to gm recall 212345940 a new battery was promised. I do not feel safe driving a car which has only been tested up to 80% range when that id not the failure mode. I want a new fixed battery.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537801August 10, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In nearly exactly the same fashion as Tesla, Chevrolet has reduced my battery range by 15-20% and they don't have any idea when or if they will restore what I've paid for.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11529983July 2, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Our car (2021 Chevy Bolt) has been under recall N212345940 since September 2021 for a battery that could catch fire if charged to full capacity. The GM recall stated "when parts are available, your Chevrolet dealer will replace the defective lithium ion battery modules in your vehicle with new lithium ion battery modules." For almost 2 years we've been worried, unable to park our car in a garage or charge to 100%. In the interim, when I spoke to a Chevy salesperson who tried to sell me a newer model year Bolt, they informed me that all the used cars on the lot had already had their batteries replaced. On June 14th I got an email stating: Recall Status: "Remedy Available Recall Number: N212345944 High Voltage Battery May Melt or Burn". I was extremely excited and took the car in last week. As I left I realized that they had NOT replaced the battery, instead they programmed in a diagnostic tool to try and identify defective battery cells over the next 6000 miles. The recall on my vehicle is now marked complete, even though nothing has changed! The car now won't allow full charging and there's still a danger of fire on a deeply discharged battery. I feel deeply betrayed by the bate and switch and that they've been allowed to call this recall completed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11529180June 27, 2023
POWER TRAIN
While driving on the road, a sound came from under the car, and suddenly the car lost all propulsion power and was gliding on the road. The manufacturer told me the Manual Disconnect Lever was disconnected and Fuse was blown with no explanation on the root cause. After a few calls with the GM customer service, they explained to me "It happens", which to me it is unacceptable. This is a EV and fuse does not just randomly blown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11528981June 26, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I purchased a 2021 Bolt EV in mid-2021. I am disappointed in how GM handled the battery recall on my 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. In Sept 2021 I received notice of safety recall N212345940 stating that the "Parts to repair your vehicle are not currently available" and I should "Set your vehicle to a 90 percent state of charge limitation". I did so and I patiently waited for the parts to arrive. Parts availability for this recall was unacceptably slow. I waited for 22 months for these parts - all the while my vehicle State of Charge (SOC) is diminished to 90%. Then in June 2023 GM changed their policy on this recall. The previous recall was marked as “completed”, even though I never received an indication that the parts to repair my vehicle became available. Instead recall N212345944 was issued. This recall installs “advanced diagnostic software that will monitor battery performance and identify defective battery modules”. Effectively it limits the SOC to 80% for 6200 miles. If there is an issue detected then the battery modules will, supposedly, be replaced. I have my doubts that this software will ever report such an occurrence. This is an extremely disappointing resolution for the customer. Now my vehicle's capacity is further reduced to 80% SOC for, potentially, another 6200 miles. GM sold me a car, and I paid for a car, that has 100% SOC. Thus far I have not had full use of my car and I have been driving it for 2+ years. Where is my compensation for being stuck with this diminished usage? I want to claw back 20% of my purchase price. Very badly done. I am an unhappy customer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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