CarRecallWatchThe 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV has 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 89 complaints with NHTSA, including 2 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Steering (38 reports).
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV recalls
Seat Belt Gas Can Ignite Carpet and Cause a Fire
After a crash in which a front seat belt pretensioner deploys, its exhaust gas may ignite the carpet fibers near the B-pillar, which can start a fire inside the vehicle.
Seat Belt Pretensioner Can Ignite Carpet and Cause Fire
After a crash in which the seat belt pretensioner deploys, its exhaust gas can ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, which can start a vehicle fire.
Battery May Catch Fire When Charged Near Full
The high-voltage traction battery in these vehicles can catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Bolt EV Battery Can Catch Fire When Fully Charged
The high-voltage traction battery in these Chevrolet Bolt EVs can catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Rear brake caliper pistons may form gas pockets, reducing braking
The rear brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have an insufficient coating.
Most common 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems
Problem areas named in the 89 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Steering | 38 |
| Electrical System | 30 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
What owners report
Steering has resistance and will not to return to center/neutral position without driver manipulation. I've never experienced this probelm with another car and See many other Chevrolet Bolt owners have experienced the same problem. IT definitely seems to be a design and /or assembly flaw. Local GM dealer service department insists it's an isolated issue. Very costly repair required.
Power steering assist cut out while driving and traction controllight came on. There is now no steering assist. The car is with the dealer shop and their diagnostics indicate the the steering column needs to be replaced. Dealer shop now says the steering column is on EXTREME backorder with no time estimate of availability. The car is almost impossible to steer at low speeds.The power steering rack and pinnion assembly was replaced back in August of 2023 due to the rack binding, so that part is realatively new.
When driving at parking lot speeds, I hear a clunk sound and I feel some vibration in the steering column. This is not observed at higher speeds. Also, the steering intermittently becomes stiff and at other times is loose.
Steering randomly will fail to return to center in turns, causing the driver to have to manually turn wheel back to center. Happens in both sharp and sweeping turns in both the left and right direction while accelerating, decelerating, and maintaining speed. Issue occurs several times a week. I nearly hit an oncoming car head-on in a very gentle sweeping left hand turn on May 10th when my Bolt continued turning left rather than re-center when I stopped giving it left steering input. I was going about 35 and decelerating gently for a stop sign at a T intersection at the bottom of a mild downhill slope of 5 to 10 degrees. The car I nearly hit was approaching in the opposite lane on the ins
Steering clunks during low speed maneuvers, shimmy started while rounding a curve at highway speed on uneven pavement. Local garage has identified it as a broken steering gear. Car has only 36000 miles.
2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV questions
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV: Seat Belt Gas Can Ignite Carpet and Cause a Fire; Seat Belt Pretensioner Can Ignite Carpet and Cause Fire; Battery May Catch Fire When Charged Near Full; Bolt EV Battery Can Catch Fire When Fully Charged; Rear brake caliper pistons may form gas pockets, reducing braking. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Based on 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Steering (38), Electrical System (30), Power Train (12).
How do I check if a recall on my 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.