Every 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Structure · NHTSA 23V845000
Dec 14, 2023Structure:Body:Roof and Pillars
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V845000 →Structure · NHTSA 22V930000
Dec 15, 2022Structure:Body:Roof and Pillars
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 22V930000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 21V560000
Jul 23, 2021Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction BatteryPark outside
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 21V560000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 20V701000
Nov 13, 2020Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction BatteryPark outside
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V701000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 18V576000
Aug 30, 2018Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V576000 →
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV, reporting 2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries. Chevrolet has issued at least 819 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Steering38
- Electrical System30
- Power Train12
- Fuel/Propulsion System11
- Unknown Or Other8
- Service Brakes7
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (353)
- Electrical System (234)
- Unknown Or Other (82)
- Power Train (65)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (47)
- Wheels (43)
Read Chevrolet Bolt EV owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Electrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing Enel X Way USA, LLC's JuiceBox residential charger.
PE24028Opened Oct 3, 2024Closed Jun 5, 2025
- Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023
- Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
PE20016Opened Oct 9, 2020Closed Feb 7, 2022
What people reported
Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that when the driver (his wife) drove at 45mph a vehicle failed to yield the right of way and made a left turn. The driver was unable to stop and crashed into the vehicle's front passenger side and bumper.”
2018 CHEVROLET BOLT EVJul 22, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11425984
Crash
“The incident involves a 2018 Chevy Bolt EV. I arrived at a parking space next to the electric charging station where I generally park the car. I park perpendicular to the side wall of a house. There is a small garden bed (about 2 ft wide) between the house and the parking area.”
2018 CHEVROLET BOLT EVJul 2, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11423286
Fire
“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.”
2018 CHEVROLET BOLT EVJul 8, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11230072
“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.”
2018 CHEVROLET BOLT EVSep 17, 2026 · VA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11765054
“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.”
2018 CHEVROLET BOLT EVAug 5, 2026 · MD
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11755068
Check your Bolt EV by VIN
Not every 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Chevrolet dealer.
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