CarRecordBook

Model year record

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV recalls & problems

The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV has 5 safety recalls and 67 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (33 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints67filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

3 recalls for this model year carry an NHTSA park outside advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Electrical systemOct 31, 2024

Propulsion system › Traction battery

Recall 24V812000107 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).

Problem
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.
Risk
A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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.

Components: Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery; Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery thermal › Management › Software

Electrical systemJun 27, 2024

Propulsion system › Traction battery

Recall 24V48100072 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).

Problem
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.
Risk
A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Seat beltsDec 14, 2023

Pretensioner

Recall 23V8450006,771 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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.

Components: Seat belts › Pretensioner; Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

Seat beltsDec 15, 2022

Pretensioner

Recall 22V930000111,242 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
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.

Components: Seat belts › Pretensioner; Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

Electrical systemAug 20, 2021

Propulsion system › Traction battery

Recall 21V65000052,414 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).

Problem
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.
Risk
A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 HB FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk9.7%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Range & efficiency

Bolt EV EV

259mi range
Efficiency28.7 kWh/100 mi
MPGe city / hwy / comb127 / 108 / 118
Charge time (240 V)10 h

Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $650/year to charge

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery331005,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system15000—
Unknown or other12000—
Power train10200—
Steering9000—
Engine4000—
Service brakes3000—
Vehicle speed control3100—
Suspension2000—
Air bags2201—
Lane departureBlind spot detection1000—
Tires1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations