2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#4 most-complained of 7 Bolt EV years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 4th worst out of 7 model years, with a "Caution" verdict. It has 60 complaints, 3 recalls, 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries reported to NHTSA.
- Complaints
- 60
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 120
- 131 city / 109 hwy
Top 2023 Chevy Bolt EV problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System23 (38%)
- Steering17 (28%)
- Other10 (17%)
- Brakes8 (13%)
- Engine7 (12%)
- Fuel System7 (12%)
- Airbags5 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during crashes, including one involving a rear-end collision and another after a downed electric pole hit the car.
- Some owners describe sudden unintended acceleration, including one incident where the vehicle jumped a curb while parking and another where it raced backward in reverse.
- Brake complaints include soft or delayed pedal response during regenerative braking and a case where the brakes failed to stop the car before a rear-end crash while the battery was low on charge.
- One owner reported smoke and fire coming from under the driver seat while the car was parked and running, not charging.
- A backup camera reportedly worked intermittently and shut off, contributing to a crash into a wall.
- Owners note the rear brake lights are mounted low on the bumper, making the car harder for other drivers to see and leading to near rear-end collisions.
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V845000Dec 14, 2023Seat Belts6,771 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. This recall includes certain vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and, if necessary, install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust. Certain vehicles will also need a pretensioner cover installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under recall number 22V-930 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Owners may contact GM EV Concierge at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232421970.
- NHTSA 23V567000Aug 10, 2023Electrical System317 vehicles
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The instrument panel may be missing the perforation on the underside of the panel cover that allows the passenger-side air bag to deploy properly.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232414710.
- NHTSA 22V930000Dec 15, 2022Seat Belts111,242 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire.
Risk: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust, and install a pretensioner cover as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between January 23, 2023 and April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222383790.
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 131 MPG
- Highway
- 109 MPG
- Combined
- 120 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2023 compared with other Bolt EV years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2023 Bolt EV has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 4th worst among 7 model years, earning a "Caution" verdict relative to other Bolt EV years.
- What are the top problem areas for the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
- Electrical System complaints lead at 38% share with 23 complaints, followed by Steering at 28% (17 complaints) and Brakes at 13% (8 complaints).
- Does the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2023 Bolt EV, covering seat belt pretensioner fire risk, a missing instrument panel perforation affecting airbag deployment, and a related seat belt repair correction.
- How does the 2023 Bolt EV compare to other years?
- The 2023 model's Complaint Index of 50 is worse than 2018 (0, Best), 2021 (33, Good), and 2022 (17, Best), but better than 2017 (100, Avoid) and 2019 (83, Avoid).