Chevrolet Bolt EV fire or smoke problems

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Brakes, Wheels · NJ

I am reporting a recurring safety defect with our 2019 Chevrolet Bolt (~80,000 miles). On multiple occasions the left front wheel has overheated severely while driving, accompanied by a rapid, severe side-to-side steering wheel wobble and a burning smell. On XXX after ~35 miles of driving (10+ miles at 50-63 mph), the steering wheel began shaking. We had to pull over and drive slowly along the shoulder, stopping twice to let the wheel cool. The left front wheel measured 627.9°F, while other wheels were under 200°F. On XXX, only three days after replacing the front brake pads and rotors, the left front wheel again overheated to 355°F (other wheels 116-139°F), with a burning smell. The problem is intermittent and has not been reproduced during dealership inspections. The vehicle was inspected by Bennett Chevrolet ([XXX]) and RK Chevrolet ([XXX]) multiple times; each time no cause was found and no repair made, aside from new tires and, most recently, replaced front brake pads/rotors, which did not resolve the issue. We believe this may involve the left front brake/caliper system or another component causing intermittent excessive heat and resistance at the wheel. We are concerned about loss of steering control and fire risk. We are elderly ([XXX] and [XXX]) and one of us is an above-knee amputee, making a roadside breakdown especially dangerous. We have photos/videos of the incidents, temperature documentation, and the old brake pads/rotors retained for inspection. GM EV Concierge case #XXX is open but unresolved. We are requesting this be investigated as a potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 12, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · WA

This is the second time since owning car this has happened the recall battery is not working again this time me and my sister were at the gas station were I work and this is all on camara at Chevron gas station were I work I went inside sister stayed in car it started making a buzzing sound under my dash car shut off windows wouldn't go down locked doors could not get car to turn on trapped us in car this is scary and smelled a wire burning smell started to get scared pounded on window couldn't get out ! Couldn't unlock doors this is very scary tried hitting window and it would not break we were stuck this has happened once before car just needed plug in to dealership computer to reset car it was fine for 2weeks and bam a month later I'm again having to take it back to have it reset because of this battery recall it's not fixed I still owe 14k for car I totally have been ripped off it's scary that these cars catch fire and u can not get out! Can't unlock doors windows nothing and u just get stuck I don't feel safe whatsoever in this car

Filed Nov 19, 2024 · OR

About one month ago (ironically at about the same time Enel X pulled out of the US and Canada) we noticed a burning smell when we charged our Bolt, at home, using our JuiceBox type 2 charger. At first we thought it was the car, but nothing appeared amiss. We charged the car 3-4 times during this month time period, and the smell was present every time. After the last charge (one week ago), I checked the NEMA receptacle and discovered it was partially melted and one prong of the plug was coated in black "tar". I turned off the breaker, removed the receptacle cover and the black wire was burnt and the plastic connector housing behind the receptacle was badly burnt. The charger, cord and plug, and receptacle are all available for inspection (although we plan to have the wiring repaired and a new charger installed soon). I believe if we had continued to use the charger it would have resulted in a fire in the garage - obviously a safety concern. I am unaware if this problem has been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center; however, I read in Consumer Reports other JuiceBox users have reported fires they believed were caused by the charger. At this time the charger has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. A licensed electrician is scheduled to inspect and repair the wiring within the next week. Aside from the smell there was no warning or message (the car charged normally). The smell began about a month ago, and was only present while charging. Note that a licensed, bonded electrician installed the wiring and plug receptacle for us in 2020.

Filed Nov 1, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · IA

My car stopped in the middle of a busy intersection and my battery relay melted and caused damage to the transmission and the transmission needed a sphincter. The whole battery system needs to be recalled for melting and almost setting my car on fire.

Filed Aug 5, 2024 · Electrical · PA · fire

I narrowly escaped a home and vehicle fire when my vehicle charging port received extensive damage from a Mustart SAE J1772 Level 2 EVSE Portable Electric Vehicle Charger. The charging plug overheated and experienced meltdown. The Mustart unit became so hot that my vehicle charging port charred and fused to the Mustart charging plug. The charging head became very brittle, cracked exposing seals, and leaked oil down the vehicle charging port. Even though the charging head is now melted and broken, the charger does not register a fault, and still shows a green light if plugged into the wall. My first warning of a problem was the smell of burning plastic, oil leaking and what looked like smoke coming from the charging head. I immediately unplugged the charger from the wall, but could not remove the charging head from the vehicle charging port because it was fused to the car. I tried to shift the vehicle out of Park and into neutral to move the vehicle away from my home, but the vehicle would not shift with the plug still attached. Even though unplugged from the wall, the Bolt kept beeping, indicating an issue with the charger/port. Fearing a physical short in the charging circuitry of the vehicle, the burning smell and potential for fire, I forcefully removed the charger from the vehicle by pulling on the charging handle with full human stregnth until separated. The plastic parts of both the charger and charging port were burnt and broken. My Chevy Bolt was repaired by a licensed technician at the dealer, who blamed me for the charging fault and damages. GM alleged the damage I caused to the charging unit during removal was pre-existing, causing a loose connection and short circuit. GM refused to repair the damaged charging port under warranty, claiming user error and abuse. I sent a request for refund and reimbursement of damages to Mustart on 8/05/2024 and will update this complaint after their official response.

Filed Jul 8, 2024 · Electrical, Seats · MD · fire

I was sitting in the passenger seat of my new 2023 Chevy Bolt EV while parked at a convenience station. The vehicle was on and not hooked up to a charger. I smelled something burning and quickly thereafter I saw smoke coming from under the driver side seat. The driver exited the vehicle and looked under the seat. The driver attempted to put out the fire with his hand and the carpeting under the seat. The fire got bigger. I ran to the closest extinguisher and pulled the pin to extinguish the fire. It was out for several seconds before re-igniting again. Another round of extinguisher foam was released and the fire was put out. I reported the damage to the dealership, the car manufacturer and my insurance company. I towed it to the dealership where it has been sitting since 6/1/24. Nothing further has been done since then. The dealership refuses to assess the vehicle and to date the manufacturer has not sent any inspectors to diagnose the reason of the fire. As A matter of fact my insurance company, the dealership and the manufacturer all advised me to get and pay for my own inspection from a 3rd party inspector which I am working on scheduling now.

Filed Feb 23, 2024 · Electrical · UT

I recently purchased a 2020 Chevy Bolt. I was never told that the battery could catch on fire and that they have a range limit. My work has banned this vehicle from their parking lot. The current recall for the battery requires software that reduces the battery by 80% which interferes with my driving schedule. This is a huge safety risk parking a vehicle that could potentially light on fire. I talked with GM and they can't guarantee that the software will detect if the battery has an issue.

Filed Jun 13, 2023 · NV

The car can blow up and catch on fire due to excessive heat and humidity. Dealer is responsible for fixing it but it's been over 2 years and I want to end my lease early due to safety concerns. I have barely driven the car and kept it out of the garage (except for charging) but fire safety concerns are not being addressed by all Chevy dealers in Houston. No one can fix it and even if they did, it would take months so I want to turn it in to dealership and get someone to fix it so they can resell it safely. By driving and paying for this recall, I am at risk for death due to lithium battery explosion and no one is repairing it. Dealership notified of recall in Aug. 2021 and never contacted me about a solution, just told me to not charge it to 100% and keep it outside.

Filed Nov 16, 2022 · Electrical · HI

I am filing a complaint against GM. The following info is from the NHSTA website. Original recall date: Aug 20,2021. Manufacturer Recall Number N212345940. the federal safety agency Recall Number 21V650. Recall Status: Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available. I have waited over a year for my replacement battery. GM has seen an almost 15,000 vehicle surge in Bolt EV and EUV sales in the most recent financial quarter. And GM has announced increasing new Bolt production by almost 400%. However, thousands of existing Bolt EV owners are still waiting for replacement batteries. GM continues to state that parts are not available. Clearly, with the surge in sales and GM’s plan to increase Bolt production, parts are available. Existing Bolt owners have suffered for years with defective batteries that none of us known if or when a battery will catch on fire and kill us or damage property. I urge the NHSTA to put pressure on GM to replace defective batteries first before selling cars with nondefective batteries. I would not be complaining if GM was not clearly prioritizing profits over people. GM is making nondefective batteries but makes existing Bolt owners wait over a year for a replacement while GM takes in revenue and generates profit. The defective batteries catch on FIRE. None of the batteries existing Bolt owners should have to wait this long for replacement batteries and suffer with anxiety and stress not knowing when or if their car battery will spontaneously ignite.

Filed Nov 10, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · HI

I am filing a complaint against GM. The following info is from the NHSTA website. Original recall date: Aug 20,2021. Manufacturer Recall Number N212345940. the federal safety agency Recall Number 21V650. Recall Status: Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available. I have waited over a year for my replacement battery. GM has seen an almost 15,000 vehicle surge in Bolt EV and EUV sales in the most recent financial quarter. And GM has announced increasing new Bolt production by almost 400%. However, thousands of existing Bolt EV owners are still waiting for replacement batteries. GM continues to state that parts are not available. Clearly, with the surge in sales and GM’s plan to increase Bolt production, parts are available. Existing Bolt owners have suffered for years with defective batteries that none of us known if or when a battery will catch on fire and kill us or damage property. I urge the NHSTA to put pressure on GM to replace defective batteries first before selling cars with nondefective batteries. I would not be complaining if GM was not clearly prioritizing profits over people. GM is making nondefective batteries but makes existing Bolt owners wait over a year for a replacement while GM takes in revenue and generates profit. The defective batteries catch on FIRE. None of the batteries existing Bolt owners should have to wait this long for replacement batteries and suffer with anxiety and stress not knowing when or if their car battery will spontaneously ignite.