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World Of EVEditorial

2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems & recalls

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV and owners have filed 60 complaints. The most-reported area is electrical system (17 complaints). 1 complaint describes a fire and 8 complaints describe a crash.

Recalls
3
Complaints
60
Crash reports
8
Fire reports
1
Injuries
5

Recalls (3)

Dec 14, 2023#23V845000

Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

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.

Aug 10, 2023#23V567000

Air bags › Frontal

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The instrument panel may be missing the perforation on the underside of the panel cover that allows the passenger-side air bag to deploy properly.

Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232414710.

Dec 15, 2022#22V930000

Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

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.

Owner complaints (60)

What owners reported to NHTSA, by component. One complaint can name several components.

  • Electrical system17
  • Steering17
  • Unknown or other9
  • Service brakes8
  • Fuel/propulsion system7
  • Exterior lighting6
  • Air bags5
  • Engine4
  • Power train3
  • Vehicle speed control3
  • Suspension3
  • Back over prevention3

Complaints over time

Nov 2022: 2 complaintsDec 2022: 1 complaintJan 2023: 0 complaintsFeb 2023: 0 complaintsMar 2023: 0 complaintsApr 2023: 0 complaintsMay 2023: 0 complaintsJun 2023: 2 complaintsJul 2023: 1 complaintAug 2023: 1 complaintSep 2023: 0 complaintsOct 2023: 2 complaintsNov 2023: 1 complaintDec 2023: 2 complaintsJan 2024: 3 complaintsFeb 2024: 1 complaintMar 2024: 0 complaintsApr 2024: 2 complaintsMay 2024: 0 complaintsJun 2024: 2 complaintsJul 2024: 1 complaintAug 2024: 1 complaintSep 2024: 0 complaintsOct 2024: 0 complaintsNov 2024: 1 complaintDec 2024: 1 complaintJan 2025: 3 complaintsFeb 2025: 0 complaintsMar 2025: 2 complaintsApr 2025: 2 complaintsMay 2025: 0 complaintsJun 2025: 0 complaintsJul 2025: 1 complaintAug 2025: 2 complaintsSep 2025: 1 complaintOct 2025: 1 complaintNov 2025: 1 complaintDec 2025: 2 complaintsJan 2026: 1 complaintFeb 2026: 3 complaintsMar 2026: 3 complaintsApr 2026: 3 complaintsMay 2026: 4 complaintsJun 2026: 3 complaintsJul 2026: 1 complaintAug 2026: 2 complaintsSep 2026: 1 complaint2023202420252026
Complaints filed per month. Peak: 4 in May 2026. Hover a bar for its count.
Complaints filed per month
MonthComplaints
Nov 20222
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Recent owner reports

Sep 15, 2026Power train

Both front wheel drive shaft anti-click washers on my 2023 Bolt EV fractured at 18,269 miles. The failure caused a repeatable click/clunk from the front of the vehicle on torque application — accelerating from a full stop, from a slow roll under 5 mph, or accelerating out of a coast at about 20 mph. A Chevrolet dealer confirmed both anti-click washers were cracked (Repair Order 652900). The repair required removing both front half-shafts, replacing the washers (GM P/N 42754282) and drive shaft nuts (GM P/N 13208079), and reinstalling the axles. The noise was eliminated. This is a safety issu…

Aug 14, 2026Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, Service brakes

known issue with " anti click washer on Bolt EV " and resulting damage to related components can cause loss of control acceleration, stopping and major damage and cost, no warning lights or TSB other than for previous gen but same design and same defect, inspected by dealer shows broken anti click washer and damage to other components https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/07/heres-why-your-chevy-bolt-ev-may-have-a-clicking-sound/

Aug 1, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system

The vehicle suffers from severe, unresolvable electrical failures causing recurring loss of propulsion, shifting lockouts ("No Driving Conditions" / stuck in Park), complete exterior lighting failures, and loss of communication with the Restraints Control Module (RCM) and airbag impact sensors. The primary failure involves short circuits, open circuits, poor terminal contact, and thermal damage with melted, charred wiring and exposed copper in the main harness[cite: 6]. On May 25, 2026, OnStar telematics issued a critical red alert for the Regenerative Braking System[cite: 7]. All damaged co…

Jul 1, 2026Suspension

While driving a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt during a turn maneuver, one of the two bolts (nearest the driver) holding the lower control arm (to the vehicle on the front driver side) sheared completely. An inspection of the joint suggests a fatigue failure likely due to inadequate factory assembly clamping force (pretension). Because the joint lacked the required factory torque, the joint interface slipped under normal operational loads, shifting cyclic shear and bending forces directly onto the bolt threads and shank—loads the fastener was not designed to carry alone—resulting in a fatigue fracture.…

Jun 27, 2026Steering

Steering rack failure, does not return to center most of the time. Every once in a while it will. Loud clunking in steering, started right around 36k mile warranty expiration, but I didnt know what it was so did not report it right away.

Jun 22, 2026Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Back over prevention

Vehicle infotainment system on 2023 Chevrolet Bolt completely stopped functioning in May of May of 2026. Screen/radio/bluetooth and associated components had no functionality, including backup camera, safety warning features, etc. Dealership confirmed that the system needed replacement entirely and was non-functional. Vehicle was not inspected by any other parties but it was confirmed by the dealership that this is a "common issue" for Chevrolet vehicles, even newer models. There were no warnings prior to the issue - the system simply did not work one day and never functioned again.

Jun 17, 2026Steering

The steering has become harder to turn and will not return to center after turning a corner. When driving the steering wheel will stay in the position you have turned it to. I feel like this is dangerous and a safety risk especially at highway speeds. I have taken it to my local Chevrolet dealership and they said the rack and pinion steering is bad and needs to be replaced. $2365 parts and labor and realignment. The vehicle had 50058 miles on it when I noticed it. It now has approx. 52,500 miles on it. There were no warning lamps or safety messages.

May 28, 2026Steering

I bought my 2023 Bolt EV new on Dec 2024. Around Jan 2025 I start hearing clicking behind the steering wheel when I turn to make parking maneuvers. By April 2025 the clicking is loud and a common occurrence. The steering no longer returns to center and it is noticeably hard to turn the steering wheel. I brought it to the dealership and was repaired under factory warranty for being a faulty part. The issue, which was a leak causing the steering rack to bind, was fixed. See the attached Chevrolet dealership documentation for further details. I have not noticed any further issues after driving fo…

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall and complaint records, updated Oct 1, 2026. Complaints are owner reports and are not verified by NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.