2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 13%of 89 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,522miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 13% of the 89 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,522 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“35% reduction in range with normal driving conditions, additional 27% reduction in range after courtesy recall #18125 los of propulsion high voltage battery without notification. Gm acknowledges range loss, they informed me this is normal, unable to use vehicle for work commuting”
NHTSA complaint #11182806, filed 2019-02, 16,045 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“Intermittent extreme vibrations of the vehicle when driving. This issue come and goes with out any warning lights displaying. The vibrations are so extreme that I must slow down to 30 miles per hour our less to maintain controll. I took the vehicle to the local dealership and left it for a eweek and they could never reproduce the problem. The problem has occured several times since taking the vehicle to the dealership early 2022. …”
NHTSA complaint #11461619, filed 2022-04Related service bulletins
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11007914Aug 14, 2024This 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…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11005311Jul 9, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242309Aug 24, 2023This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician that TAC recommends the utilization of the GDS2 software to aid in diagnosing automatic transmission concerns…
- 10242061Aug 7, 2023This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
38 complaintsElectrical system
30 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 31, 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