2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 34%of 89 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,702miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 34% of the 89 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,702 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. The fire department evacuated us, our downstairs neighbors, and both units of the home next door during the fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #11230072, filed 2019-07, 5,500 miles“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. All other electronics appeared to work properly. I put on the hazard lights. …”
NHTSA complaint #11123861, filed 2018-08, 265 miles“03/21/2019, 9/05/2019, 1/19/2020, 10/21/2020, 04/14/2021 have had 5 warranty repair orders to fix rear view camera stays on while driving forward at freeway speeds, very distracting and dangerous it also locks out all climate and radio controls. Also while vehicle is stopped crunches when trying to put in park”
NHTSA complaint #11415065, filed 2021-05, 18,000 miles“Battery fire recall. Dealer limited the battery full charge to 90% in november 2020.GM promised a fix by first of 2021. No fix as of this date and my driving range is limited and now requires frequent charging.”
NHTSA complaint #11395727, filed 2021-02, 19,874 miles“The first year of the lease, the main computer began to fail and the entire screen would become black, with the entire car intermittently losing power on the freeway. The computer was replaced. Later on, the blind spot sensors became erratic, but this is likely due to a shoddy repair by the dealership after someone rear-ended the car. The primary concern is the powertrain. The battery range decreased by nearly half while driving, which would have been dangerous in a remote location. There seems to be an issue with the battery modules on the 2018 Chevrolet bolt.”
NHTSA complaint #11365489, filed 2020-10, 37,513 milesRelated recalls
- 21V560000Jul 23, 2021General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-701. The high voltage…Covers: Chevrolet Bolt EV 2017–2019
- 20V701000Nov 13, 2020General 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…Covers: Chevrolet Bolt EV 2017–2019
Related service bulletins
- 11024324Sep 4, 2025This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- 11023388May 15, 2025This engineering information (EI) will assist GM to recover a small number of electric vehicle battery packs from customer-owned vehicles in the field for further engineering…
- 11024496May 14, 2025This service bulletin provides dealers with Warranty Administration information on North American Charging Standard (NACS) DC Adapter Warranty Claim Information.
- 11023365May 14, 2025This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11015242Feb 27, 2025This engineering information (EI) will assist GM to recover a small number of electric vehicle battery packs from customer-owned vehicles in the field for further engineering…
- 11015213Feb 26, 2025This service bulletin provides Hybrid/EV Charging Issue Information and Data Collection Worksheet.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology