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#BS-2021-CHEBOL-5BB72021 Chevrolet Bolt EVProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 97 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Proceed with Caution
Based on 97 complaints, 6 crashes, 0 fires, and 5 recalls.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
31 owners reported electrical issues — failures commonly reported around 3K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Electrical (31 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 32% of all reports filed for the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV, with 31 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 2,700 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 3K-mile mark.
Fuel System Issues
Fuel System complaints account for 15% of all reports filed for the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV, with 15 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV, with 10 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV, with 9 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. Recent trend: stable.
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Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
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.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resulting in a battery fire.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY THERMAL:MANAGEMENT:SOFTWARE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV vehicles previously repaired under Recall 21V-650. The installation of advanced diagnostic software may have failed. As such, the high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)
All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.
Pedestrian alert sounds
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV vs. Class Average (Small Station Wagons)
This vehicle
97
Class avg
72
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other small station wagons vehicles from 2021.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 97 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Chevrolet Bolt EV Model Years
View all Chevrolet Bolt EV years →2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 97 owner reports. Know before you buy.