Research · Small Station Wagons

2023 Chevrolet BoltRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 63 owner complaints for the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt. Most complaints involve electrical system (18) and steering (17). The EPA rates it 120 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
120mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Dec 2023
Owner complaints
63
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: roof and pillars

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Dec 14, 2023NHTSA 23V845000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The instrument panel may be missing the perforation on the underside of the panel cover that allows the passenger-side air bag to deploy properly.

Air bagsReported Aug 10, 2023NHTSA 23V567000

Structure: roof and pillars

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Dec 15, 2022NHTSA 22V930000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

63 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2022 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system18
  2. Steering17
  3. Service brakes8
  4. Fuel/propulsion system7
  5. Air bags6
  6. Exterior lighting6
  7. Engine4
  8. Power train3
  9. Vehicle speed control3

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

By model year

Complaints for each Bolt model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2017326
201874
2019179
2020176
202167
202259
202363
20277
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

18 reports2 crashes1 fire
“THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN INTERMITTENT COMPLETE LOSS OF REARVIEW VISIBILITY WHILE REVERSING, DISPLAYING A BLANK SCREEN AND A RED WARNING TRIANGLE. THIS is a severe safety hazard that violates FMVSS111. The dealership held the vehicle for more than three weeks due to extensive dashboard while wiring harness failures on the communication loop. Yet GM has failed to issue a safety recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026Electrical systemODI 11774187

Steering

17 reports
“Steering rack failure, does not return to center most of the time. Every once in a while it will. Loud clunking in steering, started right around 36k mile warranty expiration, but I didnt know what it was so did not report it right away.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2026SteeringODI 11746858

Service brakes

8 reports3 crashes
“known issue with " anti click washer on Bolt EV " and resulting damage to related components can cause loss of control acceleration, stopping and major damage and cost, no warning lights or TSB other than for previous gen but same design and same defect, inspected by dealer shows broken anti click washer and damage to other components https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/07/heres-why-your-chevy-bolt-ev-may-have-a-clicking-sound/”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2026Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11757018
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
Electric motor
Transmissions
Automatic (A1)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity
EV range
259 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Bolt EV
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
131109120$650—
  • Bolt EV
    Auto (A1)
    131 city · 109 hwy · $650/yr
    120
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 17107
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi6–12 monthsEVs wear tires faster (weight, torque)
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–4 yearsRegen braking spares the pads, not the fluid
Battery coolantPer manualPer manualIntervals vary widely by maker
12V battery—3–5 years
  • Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–4 years
  • Battery coolantPer manual
    Per manual
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2023 Bolt questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2023 Chevrolet Bolt problems?

Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (18), steering (17), service brakes (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt at 120 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026