VehicleVerdict

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 96 owner complaints run below the Bolt EV median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 33 reports (34% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

96

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Bolt EV years?

Bolt EV NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 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, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bolt EV years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3334%
Fuel System1516%
Other1213%
Transmission1010%
Steering88%
Engine44%
Speed Control33%
Brakes33%
Airbags22%
Suspension22%
Body & Structure11%
Driver Assistance11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV have recalls?

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

24V812000Electrical SystemOctober 31, 2024 · 107 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV vehicles previously repaired under Recall 21V-650. The installation of advanced diagnostic software may have failed. As such, 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: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Dealers will reinstall advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N242470160.

24V481000Electrical SystemJune 27, 2024 · 72 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resulting in a battery fire.

Consequence

A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Dealers will reinstall the advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 1, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's numbers for this recall are N242443000 and N242443002.

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.

21V650000Electrical SystemAugust 20, 2021 · 52,414 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV 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

Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 1, 2021 and June 23, 2023. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall 21V-560. GM's number for this recall is N212345940.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 17, 2025 · crash

“Merging onto freeway from about 50 MPH to 70 MPH. Blind zone alert indicated there was a vehicle was in my blind spot. Proceeded to accelerate full throttle into traffic when car began shuddering and then suddenly lost power. Car would not restart and needed to be towed to dealer for warranty…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 17, 2022

“Shift selector failed. Could no shift into gear Drive, low or Reverse. Locked in park but could shift to neutral. no power steering or AC. If this design flaw failure occurred while the car was on the highway, it could cause an accident. I have contacted General Motors and reported the potential…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 17, 2024

“The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and placing it into park, the vehicle lunged forward which resulted in the contact hitting the vehicle in front of them. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 25, 2021 · crash

“Steering gear is bound up due to a documented manufacturing error. Steering is increasingly stiff at speed, and will not return to center without significant driver input. This is a widespread issue that has been documented and causes a major safety concern to Chevy Bolt owners and should be…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 19, 2025

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV — common questions

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV reliable?

It is close to typical for the Bolt EV: 96 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2021 Bolt EV problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (33 complaints), fuel system (15 complaints), other (12 complaints).

Does the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 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 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.

How safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.