2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 50, ranking 4th worst out of 7 model years. Owners logged 60 complaints, 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 recalls, with Electrical System issues being the top problem area at 38% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #4 of 7 Bolt EV years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 60
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 120
- 131 city / 109 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2023 Chevy Bolt EV problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in several crash reports, including one where the car left the road and hit a tree after being rear-ended.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking or reversing, causing the vehicle to jump curbs or strike objects.
- Brake pedal felt soft or delayed when switching from regenerative to foot braking, leading to rear-end collisions in traffic.
- A driver reported smoke and fire coming from under the passenger seat while parked and not charging.
- The backup camera reportedly worked intermittently, contributing to a low-speed collision with a wall.
- Brake lights were described as mounted too low on the bumper, making the car harder to see from behind and leading to near rear-end incidents.
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?
- NHTSA data shows a Caution verdict for the 2023 Bolt EV, with a complaint index of 50 and 60 complaints logged. That ranks it 4th worst among the 7 model years with data, better than 2017 and 2020 but worse than 2018, 2021, and 2022.
- What are the most common problems with the 2023 Bolt EV?
- Electrical System issues lead at 38% of complaints, followed by Steering at 28% and Brakes at 13%. Owners also reported Engine, Fuel System, Airbag, and camera-related complaints.
- Does the 2023 Bolt EV have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2023 Bolt EV, covering seat belt pretensioners that can ignite carpet fibers after a crash and an instrument panel that may block passenger airbag deployment. None are classified as do-not-drive.
- Were there any fires or crashes reported?
- NHTSA complaint data for the 2023 Bolt EV includes 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries, with no reported deaths.
- How does the 2023 Bolt EV compare to other model years?
- Its complaint index of 50 is lower than the 2017 (100, Avoid) and 2020 (83, Avoid) model years, but higher than 2018 (0), 2021 (33), and 2022 (17), all rated Caution.