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2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
73 owner complaints · 0 recalls · data verified July 14, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Electrical system problems dominate (40% of complaints).
Zero recalls, rare for a car this age.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2018 Chevrolet Bolt 5 HB FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 10%
2 open NHTSA defect investigations on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Electrical system (29) · Transmission & drivetrain (12) · Fuel system (10) · Brakes (6)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Electrical system
40%29 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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 in…”
Steering
33%24 complaints · typically near 37k mi · 10 in the last 2 years
“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 straig…”
Transmission & drivetrain
16%12 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Driving 65mph in middle lane the vehicle suddenly dropped in speed to 45mph and on the dash a warning came up that said “Propulsion power is reduced” this almost cause…”
Fuel system
14%10 complaints
“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 u…”
Recalls (0)
No recall campaigns on file for this model year.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2018 Chevrolet BOLT EV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2018? See how every Bolt EV model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.