2023 Chevrolet BOLT EV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
59 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 59 complaints (28.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 17 | 28.8% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 20.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 15.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 10.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 17 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
Steering: 17; Electrical System: 16; Unknown Or Other: 9; Service Brakes: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Exterior Lighting: 6; Air Bags: 5; Engine: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 59 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 20 |
2022: 3; 2023: 9; 2024: 12; 2025: 15; 2026: 20
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11638492 · 2025-01-25 (January 25, 2025)
When the steering wheel is turned, it does not return back to the center on its own. It requires me (driver) to turn the steering wheel back to center. If it is not done manually, the vehicle continues turning, possibly causing an accident. This is at lower speeds.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11638492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11656440 · 2025-04-23 (April 23, 2025)
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 deale…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11656440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11494365 · 2022-11-21 (November 21, 2022)
Been almost rear ended twice, both drivers said my brake lights were out, after checking, brake lights were working but are so low on car they did not see them
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11494365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526242 · 2023-06-09 (June 9, 2023)
The brake lighting only includes the upper light and the lower lights of the vehicle. The lights on the hatch do not light up when braking. Given that the upper light and lower lights are relatively small and hard to see from a close distance or in taller vehicles, this poses a significant risk for rear-ending from another vehicle.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11526242 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11494961 · 2022-11-26 (November 26, 2022)
I have purchased the Autel Energy EVSE for my vehicle and had it installed by certified electricians in my garage. The unit malfunctions frequently and requires it to be restarted. The unit is hard wired and and the only way to reset it is to turn the breaker off and back on, as instructed by the manufacturer. NEV specifically says that using the breaker as a switch is no recommended. The purpose of the breaker is a power interruption device in case of an electrical fault. Using it as a switch to turn power off and back on could prematurel…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11494961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11530025 · 2023-07-02 (July 2, 2023)
My wife had just parked the vehicle in our garage and had plugged it into the charger. She walked to the back of the vehicle to open the rear hatch and as she was raising the hatch she felt an electrical shock up her arm, it was strong enough that she immediately came into the house holding her elbow. It couldn't have been static electricity, she was already in contact with the vehicle when the shock occurred, the humidity was very high as it had been raining, plus the vehicle should be grounded through the charging plug. I immediately went …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11530025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11565904 · 2024-01-17 (January 17, 2024)
Electronic drive unit fault, Auxilary transmission pump needs to be replaced. It’s a brand new vehicle and this is a very common problem.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11565904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11678653 · 2025-08-06 (August 6, 2025)
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 p…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11678653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11650154 · 2025-03-24 (March 24, 2025)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11650154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11754113 · 2026-08-01 (August 1, 2026)
The vehicle suffers from severe, unresolvable electrical failures causing recurring loss of propulsion, shifting lockouts ("No Driving Conditions" / stuck in Park), complete exterior lighting failures, and loss of communication with the Restraints Control Module (RCM) and airbag impact sensors. The primary failure involves short circuits, open circuits, poor terminal contact, and thermal damage with melted, charred wiring and exposed copper in the main harness[cite: 6]. On May 25, 2026, OnStar telematics issued a critical red alert for the Re…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11754113 at NHTSA ↗