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SteeringPart report

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV Steering Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
13%of 67 total for the year
Median mileage
691miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 13% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 691 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.

“The electronic steering gear (steering rack) on my 2021 Chevrolet Bolt has malfunctioned, causing the steering to feel rough, stiff, and sticky. Crucially, the steering wheel fails to naturally return to the center position after completing a turn, forcing me to manually pull the wheel back straight. This poses a severe safety hazard, as the vehicle will continue turning off the road or into oncoming traffic unless actively corrected, and the increased physical resistance makes precise lane adjustments difficult at highway speeds. …”

NHTSA complaint #11759703, filed 2026-08

“Steering gear is bound up due to a documented manufacturing error. Steering is increasingly stiff at speed, and will not return to center without significant driver input. This is a widespread issue that has been documented and causes a major safety concern to Chevy Bolt owners and should be addressed and repaired by the manufacturer.”

NHTSA complaint #11681730, filed 2025-08

“The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she was unable to keep the vehicle centered, and the vehicle was pulling either to the left or the right. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality; however, the failure had since become a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that a front alignment was required. The vehicle received the front wheel alignment, but the failure reoccurred. …”

NHTSA complaint #11544829, filed 2023-09, 691 miles

“The steering wheel will not return to center and feels like its binding on something, sometimes its tough to steer other times not. Does not feel safe. No warning lamps and nobody has inspected or worked on it yet.”

NHTSA complaint #11688686, filed 2025-09

“Steering rack binding. Becoming progressively harder to turn over time. Steering wheel doesn't return to center. Clunking in front end occasionally heard when hitting bumps.”

NHTSA complaint #11714633, filed 2026-01

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20231728%
202247%
2021913%
20202313%
20194626%
20183843%
201712536%

Other parts of the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Electrical system
33 complaints
Fuel system
15 complaints
Other or unknown
12 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
10 complaints
Engine
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Lane departure
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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