2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Airbags · 74,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle struck a deer. The air bags failed to deploy but the steering wheel released a chemical dust accompanied by an abnormal gas odor. Due to the impact, and the seat belt locking, the driver sustained soft tissue abdominal injuries and was treated at a hospital. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center after the issue however, the vehicle needed to be inspected by an insurance adjuster. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Electrical · SC

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN INTERMITTENT COMPLETE LOSS OF REARVIEW VISIBILITY WHILE REVERSING, DISPLAYING A BLANK SCREEN AND A RED WARNING TRIANGLE. THIS is a severe safety hazard that violates FMVSS111. The dealership held the vehicle for more than three weeks due to extensive dashboard while wiring harness failures on the communication loop. Yet GM has failed to issue a safety recall.

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · CA

Reverse camera and infotainment system glitch, and doesn't work most of the time. This was known by the dealer which tried to repair it at least 3 occasions but problem still occur. Problem showed up after few months of purchase( bought brand new). This a safety concern since you cannot see if there's vehicle or people while reversing.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Transmission · MA

Both front wheel drive shaft anti-click washers on my 2023 Bolt EV fractured at 18,269 miles. The failure caused a repeatable click/clunk from the front of the vehicle on torque application — accelerating from a full stop, from a slow roll under 5 mph, or accelerating out of a coast at about 20 mph. A Chevrolet dealer confirmed both anti-click washers were cracked (Repair Order 652900). The repair required removing both front half-shafts, replacing the washers (GM P/N 42754282) and drive shaft nuts (GM P/N 13208079), and reinstalling the axles. The noise was eliminated. This is a safety issue because GM has documented in writing that this exact failure can damage the ABS wheel speed sensor, which sits directly in-line with the washer on the outboard joint of the half shaft. GM TSB 22-NA-089 (Bolt EV) and TSB 19-NA-103 (Volt) both state the fractured washer causes "possible collateral damage to the ABS wheel speed sensor," that ABS, Traction Control, and StabiliTrak lamps may illuminate intermittently, and that those systems "may be deactivated/shut off for that ignition cycle," setting DTCs P215B and C0035-C0051. Loss of anti-lock braking and stability control is a direct safety hazard. My core concern is scope. GM acknowledged this defect in 2019 (Volt, MY2016-2019) and 2022 (Bolt EV, MY2017-2019), but capped the bulletins at model years that exclude my vehicle. My 2023 Bolt EV suffered the identical failure of the identical part, fixed by GM's identical specified procedure and part numbers. Other owners report the same failure on 2020, 2022, and 2023 Bolts. I was charged $737.34 as customer-pay. The dealer submitted a warranty claim and GM rejected it, stating a BEV has no applicable powertrain coverage for this component. I request the federal safety agency review whether this defect extends to later model year Bolt EV/EUV vehicles and whether a recall is warranted.

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

known issue with " anti click washer on Bolt EV " and resulting damage to related components can cause loss of control acceleration, stopping and major damage and cost, no warning lights or TSB other than for previous gen but same design and same defect, inspected by dealer shows broken anti click washer and damage to other components https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/07/heres-why-your-chevy-bolt-ev-may-have-a-clicking-sound/

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MD

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 Regenerative Braking System[cite: 7]. All damaged components and diagnostic reports are available for inspection upon request[cite: 6, 7]. Safety risks include sudden loss of propulsion at highway speeds, total headlight and tail light loss during night driving, and potential non-deployment or malfunction of airbag restraint systems during a collision. The issues have been repeatedly reproduced and confirmed by an authorized dealership through 7 repair attempts between Sept 2024 and Apr 2025. Diagnostic steps included opening GM TAC Case 9-13634782861, consulting GM engineers, and testing 33 ground points. On Oct 28, 2024, the dealer and an insurance adjuster officially confirmed the failures are covered under GM warranty and unrelated to any accident[cite: 8]. Symptoms first appeared on Sept 10, 2024 (at 5,144 miles) with a "Waiting initialization to shift" message, blown Fuse 58, and loss of power to the ECM. Warning signs prior to subsequent failures included "Service Trans" warnings, "Reduced Propulsion" alerts, dim headlights, Check Engine Lights, SRS/Airbag warning lights, and total shifting lockouts after hitting road bumps. Despite replacing Fuse 58 (multiple times), Fuse 64, IP Fuse 7, the underhood fuse block, ECM connector terminals, headlamp assemblies, the RCM module, and multiple airbag impact sensors, the underlying electrical instability remains unresolved.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Suspension · MI

While driving a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt during a turn maneuver, one of the two bolts (nearest the driver) holding the lower control arm (to the vehicle on the front driver side) sheared completely. An inspection of the joint suggests a fatigue failure likely due to inadequate factory assembly clamping force (pretension). Because the joint lacked the required factory torque, the joint interface slipped under normal operational loads, shifting cyclic shear and bending forces directly onto the bolt threads and shank—loads the fastener was not designed to carry alone—resulting in a fatigue fracture. The sudden failure of a primary front suspension control arm fastener while the vehicle is in motion is a safety hazard. It causes steering instability and risks a loss of vehicle control. The problem was confirmed and repaired by an independent service center/mechanic who replaced the control arm sub-assembly. The sub-assembly has been retained and is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle and failed component have not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps, dashboard messages. We had noticed the tire was rubbing on the wheel well during certain maneuvers for months beforehand, but we thought the wheel well liner was sagging. In hindsight this was due to the control arm not being firmly held by the bolt. When the bolt sheared my wife reported hearing a loud pop, the vehicle was still drivable but unstable, as soon as we realized something was severely wrong we took it slowly to the nearest mechanic where they repaired the problem.

Filed Jun 27, 2026 · Steering · WA

Steering rack failure, does not return to center most of the time. Every once in a while it will. Loud clunking in steering, started right around 36k mile warranty expiration, but I didnt know what it was so did not report it right away.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

Vehicle infotainment system on 2023 Chevrolet Bolt completely stopped functioning in May of May of 2026. Screen/radio/bluetooth and associated components had no functionality, including backup camera, safety warning features, etc. Dealership confirmed that the system needed replacement entirely and was non-functional. Vehicle was not inspected by any other parties but it was confirmed by the dealership that this is a "common issue" for Chevrolet vehicles, even newer models. There were no warnings prior to the issue - the system simply did not work one day and never functioned again.

Filed Jun 17, 2026 · Steering · MO

The steering has become harder to turn and will not return to center after turning a corner. When driving the steering wheel will stay in the position you have turned it to. I feel like this is dangerous and a safety risk especially at highway speeds. I have taken it to my local Chevrolet dealership and they said the rack and pinion steering is bad and needs to be replaced. $2365 parts and labor and realignment. The vehicle had 50058 miles on it when I noticed it. It now has approx. 52,500 miles on it. There were no warning lamps or safety messages.