Most common 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems
Share of the 67 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Bolt EV complaints by model year
Best Bolt EV years: 2021, 2022. Compare all years →
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV recalls (5)
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery thermal › Management › Software
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV vehicles previously repaired under Recall 21V-650. The installation of advanced diagnostic software may have failed. As such, the high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70…
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resulting in a battery fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70…
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust, and install a pretensioner cover as necessary, free of charge.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV owners say
Electrical system all 33 →
Video available and was given to USAA insurance company. This 2021 GM Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier trim vehicle experienced a sudden uncommanded extreme acceleration when I selected "D" (drive) mode on the transmission selector after using "R" (reverse) to back out of a parking lot parking space. The vehicle, despite my stomping and holding the brake pedal down and repeatedly selecting a different mode on the transmission selector, could not be stopped and still wanted to accelerate. The vehicle traveled an estimated 250 feet through a parking lot, crossing a street, hitting the curbs at high speed and through a field. The vehicle stopped against some concrete debris in the field pushing in the bumper slightly but with no airbag deployment. The mishap incident was video recorded and thankfully, there were no passengers or public / private property damages / injuries.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle failed to stop as needed, and struck a pole. The contact stated that the Forward Collison Avoidance feature failed to stop the vehicle. The contact was unaware of a warning light being illuminated. The vehicle was not towed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the Forward Collision Avoidance was inoperable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer to get the Forward Collision Avoidance system repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact received no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
I recently purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV (VIN [redacted]) with current mileage about 1800 on odometer. Two days ago my wife was driving on the 91 freeway going at normal highway speed when all of a sudden the car just decelerated ABRUPTLY to 20 mph with an error "propulsion power is reduced". Two Ford F-150 trucks immediately behind her had to veer quickly around her (but this could've easily caused other accidents as well). She had to cross three lanes of traffic to get on to the shoulder while only able to drive at 20 mph. There was still 131 miles of battery charge left so it wasn't because of low battery. Overall it was an EXTREMELY dangerous situation whenever a car decelerates abruptly without any warning especially while driving on freeway. I don't know how she escaped unscathed and was not rear-ended, but she is traumatized by the entire incident. …
Four times during a cross country trip, after a Level 3 dc charging session, the car would either not start or if it did would not shut off. The gear could not be shifted into reverse or drive and the radio, AC all shut down even though the car was still on. The service soon indicator light came on. Diagnostics from ON-STAR said that it was the propulsion system. Another indicator light came on saying conditions not right shifting. The fifth time it occured while the car was moving and unlike the four previous times the gear couldn't be jiggled or temporarily rebooting the car by removing the 12-volt battery. The car had to be towed to the dealer where it was announced that drive control wiring harness needed to be replaced. This problem is well documented on GM Bolt forums. The car should have been recalled before my family was put at risk. …
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and placing it into park, the vehicle lunged forward which resulted in the contact hitting the vehicle in front of them. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,700.
Video available and was given to USAA insurance company. This 2021 GM Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier trim vehicle experienced a sudden uncommanded extreme acceleration when I selected "D" (drive) mode on the transmission selector after using "R" (reverse) to back out of a parking lot parking space. The vehicle, despite my stomping and holding the brake pedal down and repeatedly selecting a different mode on the transmission selector, could not be stopped and still wanted to accelerate. The vehicle traveled an estimated 250 feet through a parking lot, crossing a street, hitting the curbs at high speed and through a field. The vehicle stopped against some concrete debris in the field pushing in the bumper slightly but with no airbag deployment. The mishap incident was video recorded and thankfully, there were no passengers or public / private property damages / injuries.
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | CVT | FWD | 127 / 108 / 118 MPGe | 259 mi |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV a good car?
Based on 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Bolt EV rates better than average: 55% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Bolt EV at the same age. It is one of the best Bolt EV years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
The electrical system — 33 complaints, 49% of all complaints for this model year, most often about 12v/24v/48v battery. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (15) and transmission & drivetrain (10).
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV, the most recent from October 31, 2024 (software). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Bolt EV?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021 and 2022. See the full Chevrolet Bolt EV years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 3,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.