This page covers 3 recalls, 50 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt.
120 MPGe combined
Small Station Wagons
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Steering draws the most complaints from 2023 Bolt owners, with many describing a wheel that sticks or binds during turns and fails to return to center naturally. Several owners report this creates a drifting sensation on the highway, and at least some cases involve rack-and-pinion binding at relatively low mileage, around 44,000 miles in one account. Electrical system complaints cover a range of issues, including instrument cluster display failures where the screen goes dark or degrades with touch, and at least one recurring pattern of transmission shift control circuit board faults triggering a "Service Transmission" warning. Exterior lighting rounds out the top reported systems, though specific symptom details are less consistent across those reports. A separate thread of complaints describes the regenerative braking system cutting out unexpectedly while driving, accompanied by a warning light and an abrupt change in how the vehicle decelerates.
50
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt has 3 recalls, the most serious being a post-crash fire risk where exhaust from a deploying seatbelt pretensioner can ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar.
This pretensioner fire issue covers a broad range of model years, and prior repair attempts under an earlier recall did not fully resolve the problem for all affected vehicles, so some Bolts that were previously serviced remain under this recall. The third recall involves the instrument panel cover, which on certain vehicles may be missing a perforation on its underside that allows the passenger-side airbag to break through cleanly during a crash. Without that opening, the airbag cannot deploy as designed, reducing its ability to protect the front passenger in a collision.
At a glance
What can fail
After a crash that deploys the seat belt pretensioner, hot exhaust from the pretensioner can ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, potentially causing a fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and install metal foil at the carpet near the exhaust. Some vehicles will also receive a pretensioner cover.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel cover lacks a perforation on its underside, which may prevent the passenger-side airbag from deploying correctly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the instrument panel at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
After a crash, the seat belt pretensioner releases hot exhaust that may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, potentially causing a fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will install metal foil under the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust and add a pretensioner cover to prevent ignition.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
