The 2018 Bolt EV is a solid first-generation electric with one catastrophic issue: battery fire risk from LG Chem cells. Beyond the battery recall, expect electric drive unit failures, brake system quirks from regenerative braking, and typical EV electrical gremlins.
Battery Fire Risk - LG Chem Cell Defect (NHTSA Recall)
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: battery warning lights, range loss, charging interruption, smoke or burning smell from battery compartment, thermal event / fire risk
Fix: GM issued full battery pack replacement under recall for fire risk. Defective LG Chem cells can internally short. All 2017-2019 Bolts affected. 8-12 hours labor for complete pack swap at dealer only.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall coverage, but verify your VIN status)
Electric Drive Unit Bearing Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: whining or grinding noise during acceleration, vibration through floorboard, loss of power, drivetrain fault warnings
Fix: Drive unit bearings wear prematurely, sometimes contaminate the gear oil. Requires complete electric motor R&R. 6-8 hours labor. Some covered under 8yr/100k powertrain warranty if still eligible.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000
Brake Caliper Seizure and Premature Rotor Wear
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: uneven brake pad wear, grinding noise when friction brakes engage, sticky brake pedal feel, rust buildup on rotors
Fix: Regen braking means friction brakes sit unused, calipers seize, rotors rust. Caliper recall addressed some units, but many need caliper rebuilds or replacement plus rotor resurfacing. 2-3 hours per axle.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 per axle
12V Battery Failure (Auxiliary System)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: vehicle won't power on despite charged HV battery, dashboard goes dark, unable to shift out of park, random electrical faults
Fix: The small 12V lead-acid battery powers accessories and computers. Fails more often than ICE vehicles due to constant parasitic draw. AGM battery replacement, 0.5 hours labor. Often misdiagnosed as HV battery issue.
Estimated cost: $250-400
DC Fast Charging Port Connector Overheating
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: charging speed throttled unexpectedly, burnt smell at charge port, charge port won't release connector, error messages during DC fast charging
Fix: High-current DC fast charging can overheat port pins due to corrosion or loose connections. Requires charge port assembly replacement. 2-3 hours labor, must disconnect HV system.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
High Voltage Battery Coolant Leak
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: low coolant warning, orange coolant puddles under vehicle, reduced battery performance, overheating warnings, range loss
Fix: Battery thermal management system uses dedicated coolant loop. Hoses and fittings crack. Requires HV isolation, coolant drain, and line replacement. 3-5 hours labor depending on location.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Shift-to-Park Sensor Fault
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: 'Shift to Park' message stays on dash, unable to lock vehicle, remote start disabled, warning chime continues
Fix: Electronic shift module sensor fails to detect Park position. TSB available. Requires shifter assembly replacement or sensor recalibration. 1-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Owner tips
Exercise friction brakes monthly by disabling regen (L mode off) to prevent caliper seizure
Monitor 12V battery voltage annually — replace proactively every 4-5 years
Verify battery recall completion before purchase — check GM recall lookup by VIN
Avoid repeated DC fast charging in hot weather to preserve battery and port longevity
Keep battery thermal system coolant topped off — orange fluid, not traditional green coolant
Buy only if battery recall completed and powertrain warranty remains; otherwise the fire risk and potential $16k battery replacement make it a gamble.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: 12V auxiliary battery only; powers accessories. Main traction battery is 60 kWh lithium-ion. Located in engine compartment.
As an Amazon Associate, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2017-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Drive Motor Control Module (DMCM)3.5 hr R&Rsecurity gateway +1.0 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated with drive motor inverter assembly, under hood on driver side
🔧 GM SPS2 / Techline Connect
⚠️ Functions as powertrain controller for electric drive motor. High-voltage system; requires EV safety certification. Often replaced as complete inverter assembly.
📍 Under hood, driver side near brake master cylinder
🔧 GM SPS2 / Techline Connect
⚠️ Integrates ABS, traction control, stability control, and regenerative braking coordination. Brake bleed and base brake test required after replacement.
⚠️ Mileage transfer required from old module or GM database.
Rear Vision Camera Module (RVCM)0.5 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Integrated with rear camera assembly, above license plate
⚠️ Plug-and-play replacement. Camera aim verification recommended.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and, if necessary, install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust. Certain vehicles will also need a pretensioner cover installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under recall number 22V-930 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Owners may contact GM EV Concierge at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232421970.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS · 22V930000
2022-12-15
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.
Consequence: A vehicle fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust, and install a pretensioner cover as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between January 23, 2023 and April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222383790.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-701. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Defective battery modules will be replaced by GM, free of charge. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N212343880.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling all 2017-2018 and certain 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: This recall has been superseded by recall number 21V-560. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-701 will still need to have the new remedy under recall 21V-560. GM will notify owners, and as an interim repair, beginning on November 17, 2020, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module 2 (HPCM2) to limit the full charge to 90%, free of charge. Owners are advised to activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, or park outside, until the software update is completed. Owners were notified of the interim repair beginning November 17, 2020. The second notice was mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's number for this recall is N202311730.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · 18V576000
2018-08-30
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
128MPGe
Highway
110MPGe
Combined
119MPGe
Fuel
Electricity
Capability & size
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Wiper blades
Hatchback body has rear wiper. Consistent 2017-2023.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV Electric Motor and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.