VehicleVerdict

2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV electrical system problems

The 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV has 30 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 25% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

30

Electrical System complaints

25%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Bolt EV electrical system complaints by model year117 complaints2017: 117 complaints2018: 30 complaints2019: 87 complaints2020: 96 complaints2021: 33 complaints2022: 29 complaints2023: 17 complaints
Bolt EV electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-560.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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV have?

NHTSA has 30 complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV electrical system — 25% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV electrical system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 20V701000, 21V560000.

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.