CHEVROLET BOLT EV · model year

2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV

67 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2023CHEVROLETBOLT EV carries 67 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 3 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2023 BOLT EV is electrical system with 11 filings, followed by steering (9) and exterior lighting (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2023 BOLT EV, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

67
Complaints
15
Crashes
3
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 5.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

67 filings

Crashes Reported

15 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
STEERING9
EXTERIOR LIGHTING6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
SERVICE BRAKES5
AIR BAGS5
ENGINE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ACCESSORY2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SUSPENSION2
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
EQUIPMENT1

Recalls (3)

22V93000015/12/2022

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

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.

23V84500014/12/2023

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

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

23V56700010/08/2023

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

Recent Complaints

20260217STEERING

Steering is failing at only 43,800 miles like many others. It is failing to return to center which makes it dangerous to drive, it doesn't come out of a turn. It is clicking and fails to return to center.

20260212STEERING

Clicking/Clunking under driver's feet

20260212SUSPENSION

Clicking/Clunking under driver's feet

20260119EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlights were brushed clear of snow prior to driving. While driving in snow conditions, the headlights became covered in snow and would not provide illumination to the road ahead. This put me at safety risk making road visibility extremely poor at night. While driving I couldn’t understand why the road was so difficult to see. Upon arriving home, I inspected the headlights to see the snow had completely covered the headlights.

20251217ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, NOT GIVING ME TIME TO PULL OVER. THE SCREEN JUST SAID, "SERVICE MODE", AND WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL TO ENABLE THE CAR TO BE PUSHED TO A SAFE SPOT. HIGHWAY PETROL HAD TO STOP TRAFFIC AND HAVE IT TOWED OFF. THIS WAS ENDANGERING EVERYONE INVOLVED. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER CHEVY BOLTS, IT DEFINITELY NEEDS ADDRESSING.

20251214SEAT BELTS

The seatbelt grinds away the frame around it.

20251214UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The seatbelt grinds away the frame around it.

20251102STEERING

After around 55,000 miles, the steering column began making noise during slow speed corning. When the vehicle is not in motion, the driver can replicate this issue by turning the steering wheel into the 45 degrees position. The repair out of warranty is subject to around $3,000 and this typically is always the case as only the bumper-to-bumper warranty will cover this repair and is limited to 36,000 miles and is not enough time for this issue to arise.

20251008STEERING

The steering system has developed a progressively worse clunking sound when turning the steering wheel left or right when stopped, or at slow speeds. Additionally, the steering wheel will no longer return to center when exiting a turn. (In other words, it requires effort from the driver to return the steering wheel to center)

20250922STEERING

When I make a left or right turn, the steering wheel does not return to the center on its own. I have to manually bring it back to center in order to straighten the wheels after a turn.

20250819STEERING

Rack and Pinion steering rack is failing. The steering wheel is not returning to center, causing the vehicle to meander into oncoming traffic when executing left turns. Recently this forced a vehicle in oncoming traffic to ditch onto the shoulder. Luckily there was no incident (to their vehicle or driver) after stopping to check with the other driver. Dealer has since confirmed the failure of the steering rack with a $3k cost to replace, and that this issue is "common" with 2022-2023 Chevrolet Bolts.

20250806AIR BAGS

I own a 2023 Chevy Bolt EV. Around 9/27/24 at 5,144 miles, the vehicle began experiencing serious electrical and propulsion issues. It has been to the dealership six times, each requiring a tow due to total loss of function. Issues include blown fuses, charging failures, shifting problems, propulsion loss, and repeated warning messages. Repairs have involved fuse box replacements, a new wiring harness, and other electrical components. The car has spent over 100 hours inactive at the dealership. Problems have been confirmed by technicians, but persist despite repairs. Additional safety concerns include a defective impact sensor, airbag warning lights, and a burned-out headlamp. These compromise crash readiness and visibility. Due to ongoing issues, the vehicle has been parked and unused for months, as it is unsafe and unreliable to drive. The manufacturer has not inspected the vehicle. Based on repeated failures and unresolved safety risks, I believe this vehicle qualifies as a lemon an

20250806ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I own a 2023 Chevy Bolt EV. Around 9/27/24 at 5,144 miles, the vehicle began experiencing serious electrical and propulsion issues. It has been to the dealership six times, each requiring a tow due to total loss of function. Issues include blown fuses, charging failures, shifting problems, propulsion loss, and repeated warning messages. Repairs have involved fuse box replacements, a new wiring harness, and other electrical components. The car has spent over 100 hours inactive at the dealership. Problems have been confirmed by technicians, but persist despite repairs. Additional safety concerns include a defective impact sensor, airbag warning lights, and a burned-out headlamp. These compromise crash readiness and visibility. Due to ongoing issues, the vehicle has been parked and unused for months, as it is unsafe and unreliable to drive. The manufacturer has not inspected the vehicle. Based on repeated failures and unresolved safety risks, I believe this vehicle qualifies as a lemon an

20250806FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I own a 2023 Chevy Bolt EV. Around 9/27/24 at 5,144 miles, the vehicle began experiencing serious electrical and propulsion issues. It has been to the dealership six times, each requiring a tow due to total loss of function. Issues include blown fuses, charging failures, shifting problems, propulsion loss, and repeated warning messages. Repairs have involved fuse box replacements, a new wiring harness, and other electrical components. The car has spent over 100 hours inactive at the dealership. Problems have been confirmed by technicians, but persist despite repairs. Additional safety concerns include a defective impact sensor, airbag warning lights, and a burned-out headlamp. These compromise crash readiness and visibility. Due to ongoing issues, the vehicle has been parked and unused for months, as it is unsafe and unreliable to drive. The manufacturer has not inspected the vehicle. Based on repeated failures and unresolved safety risks, I believe this vehicle qualifies as a lemon an

20250725FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Car will unexpectedly accelerate when car is coming to a stop. almost causing a crash a few times. (cruse control is not on)

20250423STEERING

The car had weird noise (clunky) when I make the turn either left or right since beginning in Apri 2025. On April 17 in the morning, I drove to work while exit on freeway. When I try to turn into other street at speed of 20 mph, the car is not turning as normal as expected. It went beyond the other lane even I just turn in regularly with normal angle within my lane. (with huge clunky noise and lose control to make a turn) I was almost hit the other car on my left side as those are parallel with 2 lanes. I immediately rush to local GM dealer next day (April 18) and drop off the car for inspection. The dealer identified and confirmed there is an issue with the steering gear. (No fix due to extremely costly) I have to keep driving at risk.

20250403UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Camera works on and off showing icon ,when reversing rear cross traffic alert also not working.

20250403BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

Camera works on and off showing icon ,when reversing rear cross traffic alert also not working.

20250324ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I just purchased this vehicle from Hertz authorized dealer in December 2024, January 2025 the Electrical system, infotainment became non functioning. This caused my vehicle to stall, on star safety charge, etc to fail and not function. No communication within the vehicle that is an electric vehicle that requires this system for all components to function and provide a safe car to drive. Power to vehicle, back up camera, on star for emergencies, charging, this affects all the ADAS components in this vehicle to function properly causing a safety hazard. Took this vehicle into the dealer they diagnosed this system is down and no communication with radio. Also Set false DTC was completed. It is scary that a radio component can cause an emergency service to fail and other components in the vehicle to fail all electrical components in this vehicle. I am writing a complaint to Hertz since they stated all was okay when the radio, on star never worked, an update for the main system was no corr

20250324UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I just purchased this vehicle from Hertz authorized dealer in December 2024, January 2025 the Electrical system, infotainment became non functioning. This caused my vehicle to stall, on star safety charge, etc to fail and not function. No communication within the vehicle that is an electric vehicle that requires this system for all components to function and provide a safe car to drive. Power to vehicle, back up camera, on star for emergencies, charging, this affects all the ADAS components in this vehicle to function properly causing a safety hazard. Took this vehicle into the dealer they diagnosed this system is down and no communication with radio. Also Set false DTC was completed. It is scary that a radio component can cause an emergency service to fail and other components in the vehicle to fail all electrical components in this vehicle. I am writing a complaint to Hertz since they stated all was okay when the radio, on star never worked, an update for the main system was no corr

Compare 2023CHEVROLETBOLT EV to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV have?
The 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV has 67 NHTSA complaints, 15 crashes, 3 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
The 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
Yes, the 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV?
The most-complained component for the 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EV has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.