Official safety recallImmediate safety action

2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV · Electrical & software

High-voltage battery fire risk

The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.

Covered model years
2017–2019
Evidence level
Official safety recall
Source review date
August 3, 2026
Jurisdiction
United States
Record ID
chevrolet-bolt-ev-nhtsa-21v560000

Safety instructions

Do not keep driving when…

Follow the owner's manual and the exact recall notice for immediate instructions.

  • NHTSA marks this campaign with a Park Outside advisory
  • The vehicle shows the failure described in the recall or a warning that affects safe control
  • The manufacturer or recall notice gives an immediate instruction that conflicts with continued driving

What the source says

The documented condition

NHTSA campaign 21V560000 includes certain 2017 to 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. 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. A battery fire increases the risk of injury.

Source component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

Compare the pattern

Symptoms and vehicle scope

Words owners may use

  • battery might catch fire
  • EV battery fire recall
  • burning smell from battery
  • smoke while charging
  • car gets hot while parked
  • battery warning before fire

Symptoms in the record

  • Smoke, heat, a burning smell or a battery warning may accompany the condition
  • An open campaign appears when the complete VIN is checked
  • Some recalled vehicles may show no advance warning before the component fails

Vehicles and limits

  • 2017 to 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV
  • NHTSA campaign 21V560000
  • The manufacturer filing lists 57,414 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
  • VIN eligibility determines whether this recall applies to an individual vehicle
  • NHTSA marks this campaign with a Park Outside advisory

Manufacturer position

What the official procedure directs

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.

Mileage context

Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.

Original evidence

Open the documents behind this record.

NHTSA safety recall · 21V560000 · Jul 23, 2021

Official campaign record for Chevrolet Bolt EV

NHTSA campaign data lists the defect, safety consequence and manufacturer remedy. The manufacturer filing lists 57,414 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.

Repair paths and safe checks

Match the action to the evidence.

Official repair pathAuthorised dealer · Confirm with VIN

Use the official recall 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.

Boundary

Do not buy parts from the campaign description alone. VIN scope, superseded remedies and parts availability can change.

Safe owner checkBasic check · 5 minutes

Check the complete VIN before arranging work

Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to confirm whether the campaign is open for this vehicle.

Boundary

A year, make and model match does not prove that every vehicle is included. The VIN result controls eligibility.

Record reviewed in the source on August 3, 2026. Confirm the current document and VIN instructions before arranging work.

How we check a problem · All records for the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Before authorizing work

Read the method beside the problem.

Safety6 min read

Check recalls by VIN

A VIN search checks the displayed NHTSA records for an unrepaired safety recall associated with one vehicle. A model search shows only the wider campaign population.

Read the guide
Safety and triage8 min read

When a car is unsafe

A warning light does not always mean the same thing, but weak brakes or smoke leave little room for experimentation. Damaged tires and certain recall instructions can do the same.

Read the guide
Diagnosis and symptoms8 min read

Why symptoms overlap

“It makes a weird noise” is useful human language. Diagnosis begins when that language is tied to the exact vehicle and its operating conditions.

Read the guide

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