2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV most often describe steering that is slow to return to center or binds, and the battery fire recall with its interim charge limits and repair delays. Other complaints cover reduced range and charging problems, sudden power loss or regenerative braking gaps, and steering noise or shimmy. The steering complaints often mention higher mileage, while the power and regen reports tend to come from cars with fewer miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering slow to return to center or binding

   • 31 complaints (35%)
   • typically at 6.9 yrs old
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel not returning to center after a turn, or staying stiff so it has to be turned back by hand. Some say the feel gets worse gradually, and a few mention heavier steering or a wheel that keeps turning into a corner. According to the complaints, the dealer often recommended or replaced the steering gear or rack, and some dealers did not find a fault during early checks. Where mileage is given, complaints range from under 25,000 to about 96,000 miles, with a cluster around 33,000 to 43,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for the repair history and whether the steering gear or rack was replaced. On a test drive, make gentle turns in both directions and check whether the wheel returns to center on its own.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At about 40k miles my steering changed. The steering would no longer straighten out. It occurred to me on a windy road, and made the drive a lot more difficult as I was not used to it. I just got it fixed from the Chevrolet dealership and they replaced the steering box.”

   NHTSA complaint #11679243, filed 2025-08

   “Steering gear failed. My young daughter usually drives this car. I drove it for the first time in a couple of weeks because it was blocking my car in and immediately knew there was a an issue. When turning a corner it was difficult to straighten the steering wheel back to center and if not forced it would continue turning instead of returning back to center on its own. I immediately took it to a mechanic who indicated that the steering gear was failing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11558240, filed 2023-12
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Battery fire recall: charge limits and parts delays

   • 33 complaints (37%)
   • median 17,959 mi at 2.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the battery fire recall and the interim limits it brought, such as charging only to a set level, avoiding overnight charging, or parking outside after charging. Several complaints say the recall repair was delayed because replacement battery packs or parts were not available from the dealer. Some owners say a software update or recall repair did not settle their concern, and some complaints describe a fire while charging at home. Where mileage is given, reports range from very low mileage to about 60,000 miles, and many do not state mileage.

   Recall 21V560000Recall 20V7010003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the dealer whether the battery recall repair has been completed, and check the recall status using the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup. Ask whether the battery pack was exchanged and keep the repair paperwork for any charge-limit or range concern.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On march 17, 2019 at approximately 3:45p.m., we parked the bolt in the driveway of our home. We exited the bolt and plugged it into our juicebox (level 2) charger as usual. At approximately 5:00 pm, we were alerted that the bolt was on fire. We discovered smoke billowing out of the rear of the bolt and the bolt apparently combusting from within in the area of the battery cells. The fire department was contacted and took approximately 3 hours to control the fire and smoke. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11230072, filed 2019-07, 5,500 miles

   “The incident is that my car just had a second recall about the exact same problem about the battery and to keep my car to erupt on fire I won't be able to use it as intended. I purchased this car because of its range and now I can't get that range if I can only charge it up to 90% and cannot let go below 30%. That is unacceptable.”

   NHTSA complaint #11427519, filed 2021-08
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden power loss, regen gaps or surprise acceleration

   • 19 complaints (21%)
   • median 16,045 mi at 1.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the car suddenly limiting power or shutting down while driving, sometimes with a propulsion power warning on the dash. Others report the regen paddle or regenerative braking not engaging when expected, or the car accelerating unexpectedly while parking. According to the complaints, some dealers could not reproduce the problem, while another report describes the dealer replacing the drive module and inverter. Where mileage is given, it ranges from about 265 to about 37,500 miles, and most of those reports are under 8,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the dash showed any power or propulsion warnings and whether the dealer recorded a drive module or inverter repair. On a test drive, confirm that regenerative braking responds to the paddle, including after a full charge.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While approaching a busy intersection of a busy city street, as coming to a stop first using regenerative braking, then applying the mechanical brakes, the gauge cluster read limited driving capability (or something like that). As I came to a stop the car shifted itself to park and applied the parking brake. I attempted to shift into drive and take off the parking brake, with no success. The vehicle instructed to go back into park, which it did without my intervention. I tried reverse and neutral with no effect. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11123861, filed 2018-08, 265 miles

   “The bolt EV has a steering-wheel mounted regenerative breaking paddle, which applies the regenerative breaking, slowing the vehicle. However, when the battery is fully charged, this paddle does nothing, which has resulted in some near misses. A warning indicator should be present, or the documentation should suggest enabling hilltop reserve to prevent this from occurring. I have reported this to chevy, but no responses were received.”

   NHTSA complaint #11072741, filed 2018-02, 4,500 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering noises, clunks and shimmy

   • 8 complaints (9%)
   • median 42,987 mi at 3.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe clicking, creaking, or clunking from the steering at low speeds, over bumps, or when turning, and some note vibration in the steering column or wheel. Shimmy at higher speed is also reported, and in some complaints a front brake caliper or front axle parts were later identified as the source. According to the complaints, a dealer diagnostic found the steering within specification, and owners asked for further checks. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 36,000 to about 43,000 miles, and many do not state mileage.

   What to check: On a test drive, turn the wheel slowly at parking-lot speed and over a few bumps, listening for clunks or creaks. Ask whether the front-end, steering and brake components were inspected and whether any noise repair is on the service record.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This vehicle as 42987 miles on the odometer and has been used only in standard highway driving. The steering started to make a clicking noise and became harder to handle. A search of the internet indicated that this problem is common in Chevrolet bolt cars, often occurring when the vehicle has less than a few thousand miles. I took my car to the local Chevrolet dealer who ran a computer diagnostic that showed the car's steering was operating within manufacturer's specs. I was able to persuade the dealer to do an additional examination. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11385953, filed 2020-12, 42,987 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11740952, filed 2026-05
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Reduced range and charging problems

   • 18 complaints (20%)
   • median 17,000 mi at 2.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2025

   Owners describe lower driving range than expected, including range that dropped after recall repairs, and a range display that shifts while driving. A few report that the car would not charge after cold weather, and the dealer traced the problem to parts such as a coolant heater and a wiring junction box. Some say charge limits and parts shortages made regular trips, including medical appointments, hard to complete. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 16,000 to 60,000 miles, and several do not state mileage.

   Recall 21V560000

   What to check: Ask whether any range or charging complaints were logged and whether the battery recall repair was completed. On a test drive, compare the displayed range with the charge level and watch for any charging messages on the instrument panel.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle is useless to me due to the new range restrictions. My medical provider is a little over 100 miles away, and I cannot make the round trip with the reduced range, thus I cannot get my prescription medications.”

   NHTSA complaint #11426208, filed 2021-07

   “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 warrantied. Here's my problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11455721, filed 2022-03

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year should ask for records showing whether the battery recall repair and any steering repairs were completed, and check recall status with the VIN. A test drive with slow turns and a range check can show whether the steering or range concerns described here are present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.