2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V560000Jul 23, 202157,414 vehiclesPark outside
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 20V701000Nov 13, 202050,932 vehiclesPark outside
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

  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.

  Risk: 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  Remedy: This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-560.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 say

1. Filed Oct 31, 2025TNBrakesElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Vehicle arrived with windshield chip, transport company provided proof happened before transport. Brake failure on first use after delivery. Reduced-propulsion warning triggered. Both passenger-side door locks failed. Center-console power and data failed (replacements pending). Rear and passenger-side cameras blurry (replacements pending). GM manufacturer buyback vehicle. Safety defect occurred immediately after delivery. Vehicle down more than 50 days. Dealer delayed title…

   NHTSA complaint #11696706 · source
2. Filed Jan 6, 2025CAElectrical System

   HMI module failed. Distraction from road because the display pops on and off. Im not taking in my car because there are forums and forums discussing this issue. Not inspected by anybody either. There were no warnings, it just stopped working 2 weeks ago.

   NHTSA complaint #11634452 · source
3. Filed May 20, 2024NYElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   The radio antenna/receiver/reception in my 2018 Chevy Bolt is very poor. There are many areas I receive almost no radio stations, or stations are extremely fuzzy. The reception is getting worse over time. In searching for a solution to this, I have found that there are many accounts, complaints, and forums related to this issue in all model years of this vehicle. The greater community has not found a viable solution outside of buying a separate radio and hooking it up to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11589769 · source
4. Filed Aug 14, 202360,000 miMIElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that after the dealer performed the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V560000 (Electrical System), the new battery charge range allowed for up to 90 miles, whereas the older battery allowed for up to 150 miles before recharging. Additionally, the new battery failed to retain a complete charge, with the "Unable to Charge" message displayed while charging. The contact felt that the recall remedy was not a…

   NHTSA complaint #11538393 · source
5. Filed Jun 26, 2023CAElectrical System

   Dealer will not do recall : (The high voltage batteries in these vehicles may pose a risk of fire when charged to full, or very close to full, capacity. General Motors said that the bottom of the battery tray is damaged.

   NHTSA complaint #11528909 · source
6. Filed Jun 20, 2022COElectrical System

   The battery in this vehicle was replaced pursuant to the current recall at the Morehart Murphy dealership in Durango, CO about two(2) months ago. On approximately June 5, 2022, the car began showing a "Propulsion Power Is Reduced" warning, despite the fact that the battery was approximately 3/4 fully charged and showing a range of 248 miles. We made arrangements to take the car into the dealership on June 9, 2022. Once the car was at the dealership, the EV technician…

   NHTSA complaint #11470072 · source
7. Filed Jun 3, 20221 miMDElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V560000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the battery power had decreased by 25 percent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the battery was on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…

   NHTSA complaint #11467326 · source
8. Filed Jun 2, 2022MOElectrical System

   I have tried to schedule service for the High Voltage Battery Recall using a GM recommended service provider in Jefferson City MO named Rusty Drewing Chevrolet. I was turned away after scheduling my service over 1 month prior because they will not service the vehicle stating they are not getting the appropriate tools from GM. I was told that even if I left the vehicle with them for a month they would not be able to service it because GM is not sending them the replacement…

   NHTSA complaint #11467129 · source
9. Filed Mar 8, 2022INElectrical System

   In March 2021, I drove my Bolt in very cold weather, and parked the Bolt in my garage with only 7 miles range remaining. I did not plug in the Bolt to charge until 24 hrs later and found out the Bolt would not charge. The Bolt was towed to a local Chevy dealer for service. The dealer found two parts had failed. 1) Drive Motor Battery Coolant Heater, and 2) High Voltage Battery Control Wiring Junction Box. According to the dealer Part 1 was not warrantied, and Part 2 was…

   NHTSA complaint #11455721 · source
10. Filed Feb 9, 2022NVElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V560000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.…

    NHTSA complaint #11451107 · source
11. Filed Oct 25, 2021AKElectrical SystemEngine

    2018 chevrolet bolt. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure. The consumer stated the vehicle failed to start. The dealer advised the battery had a bad cell and a program issue. The vehicle was not operational and it was unknown when a fix would become unavailable. The consumer requested a requested a loaner vehicle.

    NHTSA complaint #11438102 · source
12. Filed Sep 17, 2021CAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

    Parking like this is not practical and GM needs to expedite this buyback: https://insideevs.com/news/533584/chevrolet-bolt-ownership-becoming-impossible/ https://www.kbb.com/car-news/gm-tells-some-chevy-bolt-owners-park-50-ft-from-other-cars/ https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/15/gm-advising-some-bolt-ev-owners-to-park-50-feet-away-from-other-cars.html

    NHTSA complaint #11433305 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology