Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Chevrolet Bolt problems

Owners filed 67 complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt with NHTSA between May 2021 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (33).

Complaints
67
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system33
  2. Fuel/propulsion system15
  3. Power train10
  4. Steering9
  5. Engine4
  6. Vehicle speed control3
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Air bags2
  9. Suspension2
  10. Seat belts1
  11. Structure1
  12. Tires1
  13. Lane departure1
  14. Other / unknown12

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
202125
202215
202313
20245
20255
20264

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

33 reports1 crash3 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11721358

Fuel/propulsion system

15 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2023Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11528981

Power train

10 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11655690

Steering

9 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2026SteeringODI 11759703

Engine

4 reports
“This vehicle left me on sept 13 in the middle of the freeway bc it lost propulsion. I had plenty of charge and all of a sudden my charge was gone. The car wouldn’t speed up. Had to pull over and wait 4 hours for tow truck.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2022Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11489987

Vehicle speed control

3 reports1 crash
“At random times even while driving: First and most importantly, speed will read 0 MPH while driving. Second the following errors will appear on the dash: "Steering Assist Reduced Drive with Care" "Pedestrian Friendly Alert System" Also, the following lights in the dash light up: Brake System Warning Light Service Vehicle Soon Light Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light Service Electric Parking Brake Light Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak Light If this happens while driving I have experienced the following: If turning, the steering wheel will jerk because the vehicle loses power steering. If vehicle is in cruise control, the cruise control will disengage and the Regenerative Braking will quickly slow down the vehicle. I have taken the Vehicle to the GM dealership. They had the vehicle in their shop for a month and could not resolve the issue. The last thing they did to the vehicle was a complete reset. This has not resolved the issue and it is happening more frequently now.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2021Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11433306
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.