2018 Chevrolet Bolt Safety Report
2018 CHEVROLET BOLT Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (73) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Steering | Compare steering issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2017 | Compare against the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt with 317 complaints and 0 recalls. |
Chevrolet Bolt Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Bolt years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Bolt | 317 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Chevrolet Bolt Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Steering
22 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyFuel/Propulsion System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Chevrolet onlyService Brakes
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train,Electrical System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
Reliability Score
The 2018 Chevrolet Bolt receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Rack Lubrication The steering rack loses lubrication, making it harder to turn and potentially leading to a complete failure, causing a loss of steering control. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Wheel Not Returning To Center The steering wheel may not return to center after turning, causing difficulty in steering and potential loss of control. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Hmi Module Failure The HMI module can fail, causing distractions and affecting safety. |
Low | Occasional | N/A miles |
| Brake Module Issues Brake modules not working properly can pose a significant safety risk. |
Medium | Common | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt:
Steering issues are the most common problem, with 22% of reported issues.
Electrical system problems are the second most common issue, with 15% of reported issues.
Fuel/propulsion system issues are less common, with 4% of reported issues.
Service brake issues are rare, with 3% of reported issues.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The steering rack loses its lubrication make it turn harder and could potentially fail completely leading to a loss of steering. I noticed that when I am steering around a curve the steering wheel fails to pull back to the center position and has to be manually forced back. Loss of steering or steering malfunction could lead to a fatal crash. I have not had my vehicle inspected by a dealer or mech...
Sometimes, the steering wheel of the car will not return back to center after turning. The steering also feels a lot heavier. This usually happens after driving straight for a little and then having to make a turn, but may happen spontaneously in other situations as well. The steering wheel suddenly not returning to center when it is expected increases the chances of accidents, especially in areas...
On 4/5/2025 I was driving at 35mph and the steering wheel began to violently shimmy. The vehicle became difficult to steer putting safety at risk. Slowed to 25mph but shimmy did not stop. ABS warning light came on and Stabilitrak warning light came on and warning that steering was being was being automatically reduced. Driving became very difficult. Stopped and had car towed to Chevrolet. Car w...
Steering wheel does not return to center
The steering of my 2018 Chevy Bolt is sticky. At moderate speeds and going around sweeping corners and curves, the steering becomes sticky and does not want to return to center - you must guide steering back to center and there is friction involved in pulling it back to center. This is a safety issue because the sticking does not allow the driver to sense true road conditions especially in adver...
Brake modules not working properly and need reprogramming. GM not honoring their buyback warranty.
Well known steering issue causing steering to almost "lock" and not return to center. Seemingly caused by lack of grease on the steering gear. Obviously dangerous for all involved as it is a steering problem.
HMI module failed. Distraction from road because the display pops on and off. Im not taking in my car because there are forums and forums discussing this issue. Not inspected by anybody either. There were no warnings, it just stopped working 2 weeks ago.
my bolt was bought in 2018 (2018model) and has only a lil over 35k mileage. I was just informed by the dealer that the whole steering gear needs to be replaced as it could fail at any moment. I checked online for similar issues and seems like there are thousands of complaints of this, I was quoted for $3700 to get this repaired.. This is such a safety issue that it needs to be a recall, especia...
The steering gear went out at 45k miles and I JUST got the car recently. The steering stays stuck when I turn it and it takes turns very sharply. In snow or rainy conditions,This might be fatal. I checked out a couple of forums online regarding this issue and seems like a lot of people have also encountered it. It’s a $4000 fix when I took it Chevrolet. This should be something Chevrolet recalls, ...
The steering does not return to center after a turn. It must manually be returned to the center position. Also, there is a creaking sound when turning the wheel.
While driving, the steering wheel is stiff when turning left or right and the steering wheel will not return to center after turning a corner or chaning lanes.
The radio antenna/receiver/reception in my 2018 Chevy Bolt is very poor. There are many areas I receive almost no radio stations, or stations are extremely fuzzy. The reception is getting worse over time. In searching for a solution to this, I have found that there are many accounts, complaints, and forums related to this issue in all model years of this vehicle. The greater community has not foun...
The rack and pinion steering degraded over a short period of time with less than 25,000 miles on the vehicle. The first thing we noticed was that the steering wheel would not return to center. Gradually, the steering worsened until it got to the point that the only way the steering would return to center was if it was forcefully pulled to center by the driver. The dealership told us they had no id...
Steering gear failed. My young daughter usually drives this car. I drove it for the first time in a couple of weeks because it was blocking my car in and immediately knew there was a an issue. When turning a corner it was difficult to straighten the steering wheel back to center and if not forced it would continue turning instead of returning back to center on its own. I immediately took it to...
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that after the dealer performed the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V560000 (Electrical System), the new battery charge range allowed for up to 90 miles, whereas the older battery allowed for up to 150 miles before recharging. Additionally, the new battery failed to retain a complete charge, with the "Unable to Charge" mess...
My 2018 Chevrolet Bolt steering does not self center. After a turn I have to manually turn the steering wheel back to center. This occurrs turning either left or right. The steering also feels a bit heavy. This is alarming that something is binding in the steering. It is becoming more noticeable. The car was recently in the dealer shop for a seat belt cover recall and they didn't notice anything w...
Dealer will not do recall : (The high voltage batteries in these vehicles may pose a risk of fire when charged to full, or very close to full, capacity. General Motors said that the bottom of the battery tray is damaged.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while driving at night at an unknown speed, the regen on demand (Rod) was engaged but did not notice any rear illumination. On other occasions, the contact noticed that the vehicles behind were often beeping at her while driving. The vehicle was inspected vehicle while running and the regen on demand (RoD) paddle was activated; how...
Have inquired repeatedly since recall no. 21V560 issued. Told each time by authorized GM dealer that replacement lithium-ion batter pack is not available yet. Coming up on two years and presumably my vehicle remains at increased risk of fire. Would like GM to execute on the recall and repair.
Showing 20 of 73 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
Has the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT been recalled?
No, the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT have?
The 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT has 73 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT?
The 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT involve steering (22 complaints), electrical system (15 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (4 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes, unknown or other, power train,electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT out of 73 total complaints (2.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT out of 73 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT is acceptable with caveats. It has 73 complaints, 0 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT are: 1. STEERING (22 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15 complaints), 3. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (4 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES (3 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints). STEERING is the single most-reported problem area with 22 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT?
Be cautious of steering issues, especially with lubrication loss, and be aware of potential electrical system failures that can distract you. The 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT has 73 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT?
The 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 73 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Steering Rack Lubrication and Steering Wheel Not Returning to Center.
What are the known issues with the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT?
Known issues with the 2018 CHEVROLET BOLT include: Steering Rack Lubrication, Steering Wheel Not Returning to Center, HMI Module Failure, Brake Module Issues. These are based on patterns found across 73 NHTSA complaints.
What are the most common steering issues in the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt?
The most common steering issues are the steering rack losing lubrication and the steering wheel not returning to center.
Are there any electrical system issues that could affect safety?
Yes, the HMI module can fail, causing distractions, and brake modules not working properly can pose a safety risk.
How many miles should I expect before encountering steering issues?
Steering issues, such as lubrication loss, typically occur between 30,000 to 60,000 miles.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of steering issues, especially with lubrication loss, and be aware of potential electrical system failures that can distract you.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt. The data includes 73 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14