VehicleVerdict

2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV sits mid-pack among Bolt EV years: 118 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 107, with 5 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 36 reports (31% of the total).

118

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Bolt EV years?

Bolt EV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted460 complaints2017: 460 complaints2018: 118 complaints2019: 240 complaints2020: 244 complaints2021: 96 complaints2022: 94 complaints2023: 88 complaints2027: 0 complaints
Bolt EV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bolt EV years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering3631%
Electrical System3025%
Transmission1210%
Fuel System119%
Other87%
Brakes76%
Engine54%
Speed Control33%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Suspension22%
Lighting11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V845000Seat BeltsDecember 14, 2023 · 6,771 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

22V930000Seat BeltsDecember 15, 2022 · 111,242 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

21V560000Electrical SystemJuly 23, 2021 · 57,414 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

20V701000Electrical SystemNovember 13, 2020 · 50,932 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

18V576000BrakesAugust 30, 2018 · 210,628 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

The factory installed steering rack is binding and fails to return to center. The car has 96,000 miles on it. The steering is dangerous and the vehicle does not track straight even after multiple attempts to align the front end suspension. We replaced the tires, front struts and aligned the vehicle…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 26, 2023

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. WE DISCOVERED SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE REAR OF THE BOLT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 17, 2019 · fire

03/21/2019, 9/05/2019, 1/19/2020, 10/21/2020, 04/14/2021 HAVE HAD 5 WARRANTY REPAIR ORDERS TO FIX REAR VIEW CAMERA STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING FORWARD AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS IT ALSO LOCKS OUT ALL CLIMATE AND RADIO CONTROLS. ALSO WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED CRUNCHES WHEN TRYING TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 14, 2021

The safety of myself and my family and my house is put at risk from the second recall related to the battery. Also the range of the car during the recall is about half of what was the advertised range when I purchased the vehicle. Come winter, this may leave me stranded depending on the weather.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 23, 2021

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. As I pulled up I was…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 30, 2021 · crash

2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV — common questions

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV reliable?

It is close to typical for the Bolt EV: 118 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2018 Bolt EV problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (36 complaints), electrical system (30 complaints), transmission (12 complaints).

Does the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Bolt EV years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Bolt EV years to avoid are 2017, 2020, 2019. The cleanest record among Bolt EV years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.