The Lemon Index
20172019Battery replacement recall (fire risk): check yours by VIN
GM recalled the Bolt EV (2017–2019) because the high-voltage battery can catch fire. The fix replaces the battery modules (on many cars the whole pack), free at any Chevy dealer. A used Bolt should have it done: ask for the paperwork.
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,019 in the U.S. in 2018 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 36 complaints in its first 3 years.
36 owner complaints, first 3 years 119 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Toyota Prius 252018 Chevrolet Volt2018 Tesla Model 3
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
- Steering rack / power steering15 complaints
Specific parts named in the 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V845000 (body structure), 22V930000 (body structure) and 21V560000 (electrical) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced? (11 owners named a steering repair bill; the middle one was $3,000.)
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 36 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every Chevrolet Bolt year →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Chevrolet Bolt (2016–2020) name most: U0293 Lost Communication With Hybrid Powertrain Control Module · U0100 Lost Communication With ECM/PCM "A" · U0073 Control Module Communication Bus A Off. Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 25K miles (9K to 40K km) on the car (15 of all 36 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Battery fire recall. Dealer limited the battery full charge to 90% in november 2020.gm promised a fix by first of 2021. No fix as of this date and my driving range is limited and now requires frequent charging.
2018 Chevrolet Bolt owner · NHTSA complaint 11395727
More owner reports
Vehicle is useless to me due to the new range restrictions. My medical provider is a little over 100 miles away, and I cannot make the round trip with the reduced range, thus I cannot get my prescription medications.
NHTSA complaint 11426208
What repairs cost
Repair bills owners named in their complaints to the government (NHTSA), 2017–2023 Chevrolet Bolt, in U.S. dollars.
- Steeringone repair bill$2,500–$3,500middle $3,000 · 11 owners named a bille.g. NHTSA complaints 11654249, 11697036, 11751103
Not enough reports yet for a number: Electrical (4), Transmission (1). We show a range once 5 owners name a bill.
Each range is the middle half of the bills owners wrote down (one repair, parts and labor as they said it), not a yearly or total cost. Owners who complain often had expensive repairs, so typical bills can be lower. Prices depend on the shop, the miles and where you live.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 14.0M views · 2017–2023 Chevrolet Bolt
Prices people quote
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical220K views
Chevrolet Bolt Key Fob Battery Replacement (2017 - 2022)FobBattery · 119K views · 5 videos - Oil changes & service41K views
2017 Chevy Bolt EV - Maintenance through 135,000 Miles! The cost will surprise you!Allan E (Allan) · 24K views · 2 videos - Death wobble & steering19K views
Chevy Bolt EV STEERING GEAR Replacement *2019 * NO DEALERSHIP * HOW TO SAVE UP TO $2500*Trucks, Cars and Coffey · 19K views - Heat, A/C & blend door18K views
Install Chevy Bolt Cabin Air Filter in 5 min with no tools (2017-2021)Jon Bergmann · 18K views
Before you buy, watch
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV - Should You Buy, Upgrade, Or Wait?Transport Evolved · 57K views
12 problems that drive me crazy about my 2022 Chevy Bolt EUVDouble J's List · 47K views
2023 Chevy Bolt EUV | 3-Year Ownership Reliability Check | Batteries, Telematics & Regrets?!Jim's EV Adventures · 29K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2018 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 5
- Body structure · recall issued 2023
This recall includes certain vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930.
- Body structure · recall issued 2022
After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire.
- Electrical · recall issued 2021
The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Show all 5 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2020
The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
- Brakes · recall issued 2018
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Bolt recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Bolt 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $650 (USD) a year in electricity (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year).
Every Chevrolet Bolt year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Chevrolet Bolt years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-bolt/?y=2018" title="Chevrolet Bolt reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-bolt/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Chevrolet Bolt reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,019 were sold in the U.S. in 2018 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Bolt problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (56%), transmission & drivetrain (25%) and electric drive system (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt have?
5 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt cost in fuel a year?
About $650 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Chevrolet Bolt year is better than the 2018?
Nearby, the 2017 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about 3 times the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works