Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Chevrolet Bolt problems

Owners filed 74 complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt with NHTSA between Feb 2018 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (29).

Complaints
74
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system29
  2. Steering25
  3. Power train12
  4. Fuel/propulsion system10
  5. Service brakes6
  6. Engine5
  7. Vehicle speed control3
  8. Visibility/wiper2
  9. Suspension1
  10. Exterior lighting1
  11. Air bags1
  12. Other / unknown8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20182
20195
20203
202126
202214
20239
20246
20258
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

29 reports1 fire2 related recalls
“HMI module failed. Distraction from road because the display pops on and off. Im not taking in my car because there are forums and forums discussing this issue. Not inspected by anybody either. There were no warnings, it just stopped working 2 weeks ago.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2025Electrical systemODI 11634452

Steering

25 reports
“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 dealer service department insists it's an isolated issue. Very costly repair required.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026SteeringODI 11765054

Power train

12 reports
“On 4/5/2025 I was driving at 35mph and the steering wheel began to violently shimmy. The vehicle became difficult to steer putting safety at risk. Slowed to 25mph but shimmy did not stop. ABS warning light came on and Stabilitrak warning light came on and warning that steering was being was being automatically reduced. Driving became very difficult. Stopped and had car towed to Chevrolet. Car was diagnosed with broken left and right front axle anticlick washers and metallic debri found on sensors. Both front axle anticlick washers were replaced, sensors cleaned, and codes cleared, and brake fluid had to be flushed. Cost $850 to repair. Subsequently found out another friend had same thing happen to their 2018 Bolt. This was a safety issue and put us at risk while driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2025Steering, Power train, Service brakesODI 11667654

Fuel/propulsion system

10 reports
“Have inquired repeatedly since recall no. 21V560 issued. Told each time by authorized GM dealer that replacement lithium-ion batter pack is not available yet. Coming up on two years and presumably my vehicle remains at increased risk of fire. Would like GM to execute on the recall and repair.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2023Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11521189

Service brakes

6 reports
“While driving at highway speed, the steering wheel started to shimmy, making the vehicle difficult to control. On inspection, the front wheel was very hot. The mechanic advised that the front caliper is defective. The Bolt EV is equipped with a regenerative braking system that stops the vehicle. This vehicle has been stopped by using this regenerative braking system about 99% of the time. The mechanic advised that since the caliper has not been used, it has started freezing, causing the brakes to continue to be applied after they are used. This causes the wheel to heat during driving, and at continuous highway speeds, causes the steering wheel to shimmy and makes the vehicle difficult to control. The vehicle has less than 10,000 miles. The brake dragging also causes reduced acceleration. The unexpected reduced acceleration can cause a hazard in the event of passing where the vehicle is unable to pass and return to the driving lane before oncoming vehicles arrive. There were no warning lamps, and the part has not been removed from the vehicle at this writing. It is not known whether the mechanic reproduced this fault. The fault has been intermittent, but has…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 19, 2022Service brakesODI 11480245

Engine

5 reports
“2018 CHEVROLET BOLT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DEALER ADVISED THE BATTERY HAD A BAD CELL AND A PROGRAM ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AND IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN A FIX WOULD BECOME UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REQUESTED A LOANER VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2021Electrical system, EngineODI 11438102
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.