The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Bolt · 2021

2021 Chevrolet Bolt. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index272100 = average car
Complaints58NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold22,073U.S. model year
Per 100K sold263complaints
Year rank#2 of 3#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 1

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
ElectricAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD127 / 108 / 118Electricity$650

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 500 and 8,800 miles. Median 2,700, from 6 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical52%
Fuel or ev drive system24%
Transmission & drivetrain16%
Engine7%
Steering7%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
6740105

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 24V812000 Oct 2024 Electrical System / Propulsion System / Traction Battery

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

    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 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Dealers will reinstall advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notific

  • 24V481000 Jun 2024 Electrical System / Propulsion System / Traction Battery

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

    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 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Dealers will reinstall the advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner no

  • 23V845000 Dec 2023 Structure / Body / Roof And Pillars

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. A fire increases the risk of injury.

    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. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under recall number 22V-930 and wi

  • 22V930000 Dec 2022 Structure / Body / Roof And Pillars

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy. Dealers will install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust, and install a pretensioner cover as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between January 23, 2023 and April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222383790.

  • 21V650000 Aug 2021 Electrical System / Propulsion System / Traction Battery

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

    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 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Defective battery modules will be replaced by GM, free of charge. Owner notificat

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023

Manufacturer communications 506

Chevy filed 506 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • This informational bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Bolt EV 5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
202057111120,754Electrical
20212725822,073Electrical
202346518031,578Electrical

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data