AI Damage2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV filed 61 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. The maker issued 366 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 61
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 366
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 28% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 28% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 17 complaints (28% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 146.
- Steering: 17 complaints (28% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (13% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 7 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 25.
- Exterior lighting: 6 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric
- automatic, 1-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 61 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 17 | 2 | 146 |
| Steering | 17 | 0 | 9 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 3 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 1 | 25 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 1 | 8 |
| Air bags | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Engine | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 21 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 113 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The backup camera is the vehicle works intermittently. In fact, due to the defect of the camera, I hit a wall as it shut off and I hit a wall. Upon bringing to the dealer to have it replaced, the dealership admitted that it was a faulty.
Sudden acceleration in reverse. I hope there are diagnostics that will corroborate what happened because I am certain to the highest degree that this vehicle is defective.
The airbags did not deploy. Safety of the driver and infant was diminished greatly.
There were no warning lights before the accident. Ever since the accident I have tested switching from 'hand brake' to foot brake and always feel a softer pedal and a slight delay in response.
The contact indicated that during the crash the vehicle was low on electrical charge and was being operated in the "One Pedal" mode and the the air bags did not deploy. The rear passenger seated on the passenger side sustained an injured neck which did not require medical treatment.
While reaching down to push the Park button, the engine, which is normally quiet, made a loud whirring noise and then lurched forward.
On 11-17-23 someone rear ended me making me lose control of the vehicle and getting off the road into the woods and eventually hitting a tree, the airbags did not deploy, the car is equipped with OnStar system from Chevrolet as a safety feature in which as soon as there is a collision I supposed to get a call from an…
The Chevy Bolt rear brake lights are only low on the bumper and not in the expected tail light location. There is a pattern of this accident with this car. I am concerned that this is a usual event in a car with rear brake light issues.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 787 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 37% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Bolt EV has 66 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 61, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform…
This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform any part replacements. They should follow the notes mentioned prior to anything being replaced.
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- Certain vehicles may have a condition where a false diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is set
Dealers are to reprogram the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2.
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an…
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
- This preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers that the voice command will be…
This preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers that the voice command will be inoperative when trying to open applications. Engineering is investigating and this PI will be converted to a bulletin…
- Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection issue
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- Improvements to OnStar functionality
NHTSA lists 366 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, service brakes. Total complaints: 61. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (11%), infotainment or screen glitches (11%), warning lights, check engine (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
NHTSA lists 366 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2023 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.