2021 Chevrolet BOLT EV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Chevrolet BOLT EV has 96 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (34% of all complaints), specifically: backup camera on while driving at freeway speeds: while driving on the highway, the infotainment system started having trouble. first my carplay disconnected and i couldn't reconnect. when trying to fix it, i hit the 'home' button. then the backup camera displayed on the display covering all oth.

4 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

33 complaints

34%

• Backup camera on while driving at freeway speeds: While driving on the highway, the infotainment system started having trouble. First my Carplay disconnected and I couldn't reconnect. When trying to fix it, I hit the 'home' button. Then the backup camera displayed on the display covering all oth
• GM CHEVY has sold me a vehicle that has an explosive lithium LG battery. on 09/07/2021 GM called me and offered me a choice of having the battery replaced in my vehicle at a future unknown date or having the vehicle sold back to GM via the buy back program. GM refused to go into detail about eit
• GM CHEVY has sold me a vehicle that has an explosive lithium LG battery. on 09/07/2021 GM called me and offered me a choice of having the battery replaced in my vehicle at a future unknown date or having the vehicle sold back to GM via the buy back program. GM refused to go into detail about eit

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“Backup camera on while driving at freeway speeds: While driving on the highway, the infotainment system started having trouble. First my Carplay disconnected and I couldn't reconnect. When trying to fix it, I hit the 'home' button. Then the backup camera displayed on the display covering all oth”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

15 complaints

16%

• I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM DIAMOND CHEVROLET ON APRIL 17 THE 2021 CHEVY BOLT HAD 3 MILES ON THE ODO I DROVE THE BOLT 3 MORE MILES AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND REDUCED SPEED ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE DISPLAY FLASHED A WARNING OF REDUCED POWER AND THE BOLT WOULD NOT ACCELE
• I recently purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV (VIN [XXX]) with current mileage about 1800 on odometer. Two days ago my wife was driving on the 91 freeway going at normal highway speed when all of a sudden the car just decelerated ABRUPTLY to 20 mph with an error “propulsion power is reduced”. Two Fo
• This is regarding the battery defect. I initially called into GM on August 31, 2021 to start this buyback and have not driven this since. It’s been parked on the street because I have a newborn and a 2 year old. It would be irresponsible of me to drive and charge this car while my children are here.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM DIAMOND CHEVROLET ON APRIL 17 THE 2021 CHEVY BOLT HAD 3 MILES ON THE ODO I DROVE THE BOLT 3 MORE MILES AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND REDUCED SPEED ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE DISPLAY FLASHED A WARNING OF REDUCED POWER AND THE BOLT WOULD NOT ACCELE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

12 complaints

13%

• Groan, Squeak or Rubbing Type Noise When Turning Steering Wheel. Vehicle turning sluggish, is a safety hazard. Sounds like premature failure of steering parts on vehicle at 3500 miles. Others are having the same problem on the Internet forums.
• I am reporting an issue that may affect every Chevy Bolt EV owner and possess a serious safety issue for children. I discovered this issue while being an owner of two 2021 Chevy Bolts. I discovered that if a key is locked in the vehicles back storage area while the vehicle is running no door will o
• It was recently brought to my attention that the Bolt EV vehicles have a very serious battery issue. I have not received any written or emailed information regarding this issue from Chevrolet and instead happened upon this issue in my social feeds. It is my understanding that the batteries pose a

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Groan, Squeak or Rubbing Type Noise When Turning Steering Wheel. Vehicle turning sluggish, is a safety hazard. Sounds like premature failure of steering parts on vehicle at 3500 miles. Others are having the same problem on the Internet forums.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

10 complaints

10%

• As I started to leave the driveway in a forward driving position, my brand new Chevy bolt with only 2430 miles on it put itself into park. It made a terrible metal grinding noise and jolted us forward. My foot was still on the accelerator because I thought it was going to drive but it stopped then I
• Driver had pulled up and stopped at red light with vehicle in D mode (normal drive). Driver had placed hand on gear shift lever and went to shift into L mode (one pedal driving) by using normally accepted procedure of pulling gear shift lever one click back to engage L mode or switch back to D mode.
• 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 de

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“As I started to leave the driveway in a forward driving position, my brand new Chevy bolt with only 2430 miles on it put itself into park. It made a terrible metal grinding noise and jolted us forward. My foot was still on the accelerator because I thought it was going to drive but it stopped then I”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

8 complaints

• Groan, Squeak or Rubbing Type Noise When Turning Steering Wheel. Vehicle turning sluggish, is a safety hazard. Sounds like premature failure of steering parts on vehicle at 3500 miles. Others are having the same problem on the Internet forums.
• At random times even while driving: First and most importantly, speed will read 0 MPH while driving. Second the following errors will appear on the dash: "Steering Assist Reduced Drive with Care" "Pedestrian Friendly Alert System" Also, the following lights in the dash light up: Brake System Warn
• The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she was unable to keep the vehicle centered, and the vehicle was pulling either to the left or the right. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality; howe

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 96 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: Backup camera on while driving at freeway speeds: While driving on the highway, the infotainment system started having trouble. First my Carplay disconnected and I couldn't reconnect. When trying to fix it, I hit the 'home' button. Then the backup camera displayed on the display covering all oth
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM DIAMOND CHEVROLET ON APRIL 17 THE 2021 CHEVY BOLT HAD 3 MILES ON THE ODO I DROVE THE BOLT 3 MORE MILES AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND REDUCED SPEED ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE DISPLAY FLASHED A WARNING OF REDUCED POWER AND THE BOLT WOULD NOT ACCELE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Groan, Squeak or Rubbing Type Noise When Turning Steering Wheel. Vehicle turning sluggish, is a safety hazard. Sounds like premature failure of steering parts on vehicle at 3500 miles. Others are having the same problem on the Internet forums.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: As I started to leave the driveway in a forward driving position, my brand new Chevy bolt with only 2430 miles on it put itself into park. It made a terrible metal grinding noise and jolted us forward. My foot was still on the accelerator because I thought it was going to drive but it stopped then I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)