2022 Chevrolet Bolt Safety Report

The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt, despite having no formal NHTSA safety ratings available (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are N/A), exhibits several concerning patterns based on 78 consumer complaints. A significant area of concern is the steering system, accounting for 10 complaints, with multiple reports detailing issues such as the steering wheel not returning to center, stiffness at low speeds, clunking noises, and the need for steering rack replacement, sometimes at relatively low mileages (e.g., 38,000-41,000 miles). This suggests a potential manufacturing defect that could compromise vehicle control and driver effort, posing a safety risk. Another critical area is the electrical system, which garnered the highest number of complaints (16). Issues range from complete electrical system inoperability, instrument panel failures, and non-functioning seat belt warnings to 'propulsion power reduced' alerts and sudden loss of automotive power. These electrical malfunctions can lead to unexpected vehicle behavior, including sudden deceleration on highways, which is extremely dangerous. Furthermore, there are 3 complaints related to Forward Collision Avoidance systems, including 'phantom braking' incidents where the vehicle unexpectedly applies brakes without cause, creating a significant rear-end collision risk. While there are no recalls for the 2022 model year, the complaint data reveals two reported crashes and zero reported injuries or deaths. However, one complaint explicitly mentions airbags failing to deploy in a rear-end collision where the front driver's tire and assembly were destroyed, raising serious questions about occupant protection. Additionally, there are reports of unintended acceleration (2 complaints) and battery failures leading to reduced propulsion power and charging issues, which, while not directly causing crashes in the provided samples, indicate fundamental system reliability problems that could indirectly lead to unsafe situations. The lack of formal crash test ratings makes it difficult to assess structural safety, but the reported airbag non-deployment is a red flag.

Our recommendation: Given the significant number of complaints regarding critical steering and electrical system failures, along with reports of phantom braking and airbag non-deployment, potential buyers should proceed with caution and thoroughly inspect any 2022 Chevrolet Bolt for these known issues before purchase.