Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the "Reduced Propulsion Power" warning light illuminated, and a warning chime sounded. The contact was able to drive back to the residence. The contact called a local dealer who advised her not to drive the vehicle and to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer was unsure if the battery could be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V650000 (Electrical System) and stated that the system was to monitor the condition of the battery and related the failure to the safety campaign. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The warning message " Emergency Power Failure, Seek Service Immediately" appeared on the instrument panel. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated he was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the battery disconnect lever had failed. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer has notified the failure and offered the contact a vehicle buyback. The approximate failure mileage was 2,700.
How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Drivers have to follow unfair guidelines that cripple the car. I am not able to follow the GM guidelines without affecting my livelihood and how I use the car to commute and charging procedures overnight to achieve the needed range for daily commute. 1. Set your vehicle to a 90 percent state of charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve mode (for 2017-2018 model years) or Target Charge Level (for 2019-2022 model years) mode. Instructions on how to do this are available in the videos below. If you unable to successfully make these changes, or do not feel comfortable making these changes, GM is asking you to visit your dealer to have these adjustments completed. 2. Charge your vehicle more frequently and avoid depleting their battery below approximately 70 miles (113 kilometers) of remaining range, where possible. …
Chevrolet issued a recall for our 2021 Bolt, Manufacturer Recall Number N212345940 NHTSA Recall Number 21V650 over a year ago. At the time of the recall issue in late 2021, we were told to bring in the car for service that would reduce the risk of fire by lowering the charge capacity to 80%. We did so and were told that the actual battery module replacement would be "any day now." We have contacted the Chevrolet EV Concierge [phone]) several times over the past year, including today, Feb. 20, and each time we were told that the recall service would happen "soon," and that there was no way to estimate when it would occur. We have been told that the 2020-2022 models had recall service started in August 2021, proceeding "in batches." As it has been about 15 months since the recall was issued, we suspect that Chevrolet has no intention of performing this service in a timely fashion. …
Our car (2021 Chevy Bolt) has been under recall N212345940 since September 2021 for a battery that could catch fire if charged to full capacity. The GM recall stated "when parts are available, your Chevrolet dealer will replace the defective lithium ion battery modules in your vehicle with new lithium ion battery modules." For almost 2 years we've been worried, unable to park our car in a garage or charge to 100%. In the interim, when I spoke to a Chevy salesperson who tried to sell me a newer model year Bolt, they informed me that all the used cars on the lot had already had their batteries replaced. On June 14th I got an email stating: Recall Status: "Remedy Available Recall Number: N212345944 High Voltage Battery May Melt or Burn". I was extremely excited and took the car in last week. …
GM CHEVY has sold me a vehicle that has an explosive lithium LG battery. on 09/07/2021 GM called me and offered me a choice of having the battery replaced in my vehicle at a future unknown date or having the vehicle sold back to GM via the buy back program. GM refused to go into detail about either option and instead wanted me to make a decision without knowing the details on either option. I personally believe that GM does not give a [redacted] about the Bolt or the customer. GM has instructed me to park my vehicle out side my home and I stated "I live in a rural area and if the vehicle were to explode it would reduce the forest area around my home to ash. The vehicle is probably better off in my garage. I will install a fire detector in the garage, since GM doesn't give a [redacted] about the customers or the people that can be hurt.
GM CHEVY has sold me a vehicle that has an explosive lithium LG battery. on 09/07/2021 GM called me and offered me a choice of having the battery replaced in my vehicle at a future unknown date or having the vehicle sold back to GM via the buy back program. GM refused to go into detail about either option and instead wanted me to make a decision without knowing the details on either option. I personally believe that GM does not give a [redacted] about the Bolt or the customer. GM has instructed me to park my vehicle out side my home and I stated "I live in a rural area and if the vehicle were to explode it would reduce the forest area around my home to ash. The vehicle is probably better off in my garage. I will install a fire detector in the garage, since GM doesn't give a [redacted] about the customers or the people that can be hurt.
Backup camera on while driving at freeway speeds: While driving on the highway, the infotainment system started having trouble. First my Carplay disconnected and I couldn't reconnect. When trying to fix it, I hit the 'home' button. Then the backup camera displayed on the display covering all other functions (battery info, temperature, etc). I was driving at freeway speeds with the backup camera stuck on. When I was able to stop, putting it in park, briefly turning off the car with the door open did not correct the problem. Only when the car sat (infotainment fully powered off?) did the problem correct. I have not seen the issue on a few drives since then. I have a video of the problem but it's too big (16MB) to upload on this website.
Related recalls
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…
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 investigations
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.
Electrical complaints in other Bolt EV years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 49% of the model year's 67 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-812 (software, Oct 31, 2024); NHTSA recall 24V-481 (traction battery, Jun 27, 2024); NHTSA recall 21V-650 (traction battery, Aug 20, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.