2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
93
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
21
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV
The 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV has received a total of 93 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 10 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL:MANAGEMENT:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY. 21 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (30 complaints), Fuelpropulsion System (14 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (12 complaints).
Recalls for the 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV
NHTSA has recorded 10 recalls for the 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV, potentially affecting up to 393,554 vehicles.
Recall 24V812000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL:MANAGEMENT:SOFTWARE
| 107 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 24V812000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
| 107 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 24V481000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
| 72 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 23V845000 — SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
| 6,771 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 23V845000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
| 6,771 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 22V930000 — SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
| 111,242 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 22V930000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
| 111,242 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 21V650000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
| 52,414 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 21V650000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
| 52,414 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 21V650000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
| 52,414 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV
93 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System12v24v48v Battery | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
I was in a car accident on February 9th, in which my airbags did not deploy, however, I did receive an error in my Chevy app that my Air Bag system requires attention. I sustained facial injuries due to impact with the steering wheel. I believe the airbags should have deployed, but did not.
Steering rack binding. Becoming progressively harder to turn over time. Steering wheel doesn't return to center. Clunking in front end occasionally heard when hitting bumps.
The steering wheel will not return to center and feels like its binding on something, sometimes its tough to steer other times not. Does not feel safe. No warning lamps and nobody has inspected or worked on it yet.
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 addressed and repaired by the manufacturer.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering rack. Steering wont return to center at 38,000 miles. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Car handles unpredictably posing safety risk to others and myself. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Quoted $2,700 to replace rack and pinion. I refused service as vehicle has less than 40k miles. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No
Safety Rating for the 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV
The 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV
General Motors, LLC has issued 21 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIE0753F — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This engineering information (EI) will assist GM to recover a small number of electric vehicle battery packs from customer-owned vehicles in the field for further engineering study and analysis.
N242470162 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Service Update - Certain vehicles may have a condition where the advanced diagnostic software recall remedy in NHTSA Recall 21V650 may not have been correctly installed in this vehicle population. Dealers are to reprogram the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2, Battery Energy Control Module and the Body Control Module.
24-NA-035 — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides a procedure to correct the condition of Charge Limited to 80% After Reaching 10,000 km (6,213 miles) for Recall N212345944, N212345945 or N212345946.
24-NA-035 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides a procedure to correct the condition of Charge Limited to 80% After Reaching 10,000 km (6,213 miles) for Recall N212345944 or N212345945.
N232421260 — POWER TRAIN
Service Update - Certain vehicles may have a condition in which a false diagnostic trouble code (DTC), U3636 symptom 09, is triggered. This false DTC is resulting in customers experiencing a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated in the Driver Information Center (DIC), a Reduced Propulsion message, and a charging limited...
PIE0753 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This engineering information (EI) will assist GM to recover a small number of electric vehicle battery packs from customer-owned vehicles in the field for further engineering study and analysis.
23-NA-062 — BACK OVER PREVENTION
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Rear View Camera Coaxial Related Issues - DTCs B395A, B395B, B395C, B101E, B101D.
PIE0729 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regards to issues while charging on a public DC Fast charger or Level 2 AC charger.
N222369401-01 — POWER TRAIN
Certain vehicles are to receive a software update to improve the original Advanced Diagnostic Software. This software update reduces false diagnostic activation in certain vehicles under certain driving conditions, and prevents diagnostic data loss. Dealers are to reprogram the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2 (HPCM2).
22-NA-119 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
The service bulletin provides warranty information on High Voltage Battery Safety Recall Replacement Parts.
Showing 10 of 21 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET BOLT EV
- 2017 CHEVROLET BOLT EV — 449 complaints
- 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT EV — 111 complaints
- 2019 CHEVROLET BOLT EV — 228 complaints
- 2020 CHEVROLET BOLT EV — 229 complaints
- 2021 CHEVROLET BOLT EV (current)
- 2022 CHEVROLET BOLT EV — 90 complaints
- 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV — 67 complaints
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