2021 Chevrolet Bolt Ev Safety Report

The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved an excellent 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with 5 stars in side and rollover tests and 4 stars in frontal crash tests, its recall history and complaint data reveal significant concerns, particularly regarding the high-voltage battery and steering system. The vehicle has 66 total complaints, with 4 crashes, 0 fires, and 1 injury reported. A major safety concern is the series of five recalls, primarily related to the high-voltage battery's risk of fire, even after initial repair attempts. Two recalls (21V-650 and 22V-930) specifically address the battery fire risk, with subsequent recalls for vehicles previously repaired, indicating persistent issues. Additionally, two recalls address fire risk from seat belt pretensioner deployment after a crash. Complaint patterns show a strong focus on the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (20 complaints), often linked to the propulsion system and battery, aligning with the recall issues. Owners report 'Reduced Propulsion Power' warnings, sudden loss of propulsion, and concerns about the battery recall remedy's effectiveness and availability. Another significant complaint area is STEERING (5 complaints), with multiple reports of the steering rack binding, difficulty returning to center, and clunking sounds, posing a clear safety risk. One complaint details an airbag failure during a crash, resulting in facial injuries, despite the vehicle's 5-star side impact rating. The recurring battery fire recalls, even for previously remedied vehicles, highlight a critical and ongoing safety challenge for the 2021 Bolt EV. The high number of electrical system complaints directly correlates with these recalls. While crash test performance is strong, the real-world complaint data, including reports of propulsion loss and steering issues, suggests potential reliability and safety gaps not fully captured by crash ratings alone. The single reported injury from an airbag non-deployment is also a serious concern.

Our recommendation: Given the excellent crash test ratings but significant, recurring battery fire recalls and reported steering issues, potential buyers should verify all recalls have been completed and thoroughly inspect the steering system before purchase.