2018 Chevrolet Bolt: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, electrical, and transmission. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018- Owner complaints
- 73
- Recalls
- 5
- 2 urgent
- Crashes reported
- 2
- 2 injuries
Two recalls on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing they were completed for this VIN.
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/10 checked
2018 Chevrolet Bolt: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/5
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Bolt is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | FWD | 238 mi range |
- With a full charge, the range estimate on the dash should land near the EPA figure of 238 miles. A much lower number on a mild day can mean a worn battery; ask for a battery health report.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Steering binds, won't self-center
25,000–40,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Steering24No crashes
A wheel that stops returning to center after a turn is the core complaint. Drivers say it grows stiff and heavy until they must pull it back by hand. Some reports also mention clicking or creaking noises, or a car that drifts and will not track straight. Dealers often find a binding steering gear that needs replacing, with quotes as high as $4000. Most reports cluster between 25,000 and 40,000 miles, though some come later. No warning light comes on, and some dealers missed the problem on short test drives. Drivers describe near misses on curvy roads.
Electrical23No crashes
A battery fire during home charging is the most serious report here. Most complaints are about the high-voltage battery recall: charge limits, parking restrictions, replacement batteries on back order, and dealers without the tools or parts to do the work. Some owners say range dropped or a "Propulsion Power Is Reduced" warning appeared after the battery was replaced. Smaller patterns include a car that would not charge after sitting in cold weather, an infotainment display that switches on and off, and poor radio reception.
Transmission11No crashes
Sudden loss of power is the most serious pattern. Warnings such as "Propulsion power is reduced" or "System shutting down" appear, and the car slows sharply or stops in traffic. In one case the fix was a new drive module, inverter, and power cable. Other reports describe the car lurching forward while parking in L mode, heavy vibration that comes and goes and that dealers cannot reproduce, and a rear camera that stays on while driving. Range loss and charging limits tied to the battery recall also come up.
Fuel system4No crashes
Battery recall problems make up most of these few reports. Owners describe waiting close to two years for a replacement battery pack and losing about half their range under the temporary charging limits. One owner says a public charger kept charging past the limit the dealer had set. A "Propulsion Power Reduced" warning on the highway also appears, and a repair shop advised not driving the car until it was fixed.
Brakes3No crashes
Front brakes break down from lack of use, and mechanics blame regenerative braking, which does most of the stopping. Reports describe a seized front caliper that keeps the brake applied. The wheel overheats and the steering shimmies at highway speed, which makes the car hard to control. Crumbling pads and scored rotors at 25,000 miles also appear, along with brake modules that need reprogramming.
Wipers and visibility2No crashes
Front wipers freeze to the bottom of the windshield and stop moving while driving, cutting visibility, when it is around 25 degrees F outside. According to the complaint, warm air from the defroster does not reach the lowest part of the glass, where the wipers rest. A separate report describes vertical scratches on the outside of the driver's window glass, found just after the warranty ran out.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Bolt owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
I purchased this car at 15,000 miles in October 2021. It’s my first electric car, and I just assumed that the stiffness in the steering wheel was part of the electric car experience. Big mistake! I took it into the dealer last week and they want $3500 to replace the steering mechanism, I’ve been looking online and I see lots of other people having this issue. This seems like a severe safety issue and Chevy needs to take responsibility for it.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2022
my bolt was bought in 2018 (2018model) and has only a lil over 35k mileage. I was just informed by the dealer that the whole steering gear needs to be replaced as it could fail at any moment. I checked online for similar issues and seems like there are thousands of complaints of this, I was quoted for $3700 to get this repaired.. This is such a safety issue that it needs to be a recall, especially when considering such a low mileage!!
Filed with NHTSA, October 2024
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.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2021
Battery fire hazard not resolved. Recommendation from GM to not charge above 90% and not discharge below about 40%, giving an effective range of half of the stated range. Risk that I may need to go below the 40% charge state when travelling, causing fire. I need to charge in my attached garage, posing safety risk to me and family.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2021
Driving 65mph in middle lane the vehicle suddenly dropped in speed to 45mph and on the dash a warning came up that said “Propulsion power is reduced” this almost caused a semi truck to rear end me.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2023
The safety of myself and my family and my house is put at risk from the second recall related to the battery. Also the range of the car during the recall is about half of what was the advertised range when I purchased the vehicle. Come winter, this may leave me stranded depending on the weather.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2021
Have inquired repeatedly since recall no. 21V560 issued. Told each time by authorized GM dealer that replacement lithium-ion batter pack is not available yet. Coming up on two years and presumably my vehicle remains at increased risk of fire. Would like GM to execute on the recall and repair.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2023
How the 2018 compares with other Bolt years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 5 Bolt years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Steering2420
- Electrical2341
- Transmission1111
- Fuel system48
- Brakes32
- Wipers and visibility21
Where the 2018 fits in the Bolt's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the second model year of the Bolt's first generation (2017–2023).
Chevrolet updated the Bolt for 2022, so a 2018 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2022 (not on a 2018)
- Front and rear styling revisions
- Revised interior with upgraded seats
- New electronic systems
Recalls to confirm (5)
Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
21V560000ElectricalPark outsideJul 2021
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-701. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) 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. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N212343880.
20V701000ElectricalPark outsideNov 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling all 2017-2018 and certain 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV 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.
Fix: This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-560. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-701 will still need to have the new remedy under recall 21V-560. GM will notify owners, and as an interim repair, beginning on November 17, 2020, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module 2 (HPCM2) to limit the full charge to 90%, free of charge. Owners are advised to activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, or park outside, until the software update is completed. Owners were notified of the interim repair beginning November 17, 2020. The second notice was mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N202311730.
23V845000Body and structureDec 2023
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.
Fix: 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 will need to have the new remedy performed. Owners may contact GM EV Concierge at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232421970.
22V930000Body and structureDec 2022
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.
Fix: 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.
18V576000BrakesAug 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Also looking at these instead of a Bolt?
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