NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV Safety Ratings
The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV scores 75 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 5 recalls, and 66 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV carries a critical safety warning for any prospective owner. Five recalls have been issued, three of which are park-outside battery campaigns. This issue alone demands careful consideration before purchase. The model achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 75/100, placing it in the Average band, a score largely bolstered by strong crash-test performance.
The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV received an overall 5-star crash-test rating from NHTSA and a NHTSA Safety Index of 75 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 94 Sedans from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV ranks 84 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 75 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.7% |
| Recalls on file | 5 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 66 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 84 of 94 Sedans tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV presents a safety profile defined by its contrasting data. Its crash protection sub-score of 65 out of 70 contributed significantly to a four-point rise in the overall Safety Index, reaching 75/100, up from the 2020 model's 71/100. This places the model among the stronger performers in its segment for crashworthiness. However, the vehicle's defect record profoundly impacts its overall assessment. A defect-record sub-score of 3.75 out of 20 reflects a challenging history of five recalls. Three of these were "park-outside" battery campaigns, initiated for fire risk. The initial 2021 battery recall was followed by additional campaigns in 2022 and two more in 2024, after previous remedies proved insufficient. This pattern of compounding battery-related recalls is a specific concern for the 2020 through 2022 Bolt EV generation. For this model year, safety status is particularly contingent on the completion of all applicable recall remedies for any given unit. The avoidance-tech sub-score, at 6 out of 10, indicates that both forward collision warning and lane departure warning remained optional features, limiting the potential for a higher rating in this area.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV achieved a 5 out of 5 star overall safety rating from NHTSA. While its frontal crash protection registered 4 out of 5 stars, the vehicle earned perfect 5-star scores for both side impact and rollover resistance. The rollover risk was assessed at 10 percent, with no dynamic tip observed in testing.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15291
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV have any recalls?
Yes, five recalls cover this model year. Three are park-outside or do-not-drive campaigns tied to the high-voltage traction battery, which could cause a fire. A separate pair of structural recalls addresses roof and pillar integrity after crashes involving seat-belt pretensioner deployment. The battery campaigns alone make remedy verification essential.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY24V812000
Risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Dealers will reinstall advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notificat
Reported 2024-10-31
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY24V481000
Risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Dealers will reinstall the advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notif
Reported 2024-06-27
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS23V845000
Risk: 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 n
Reported 2023-12-14
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS22V930000
Risk: 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.
Reported 2022-12-15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY21V650000
Risk: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level 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. Owner notification
Reported 2021-08-20
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Sixty-six unverified owner allegations have been filed with NHTSA. The most frequently alleged problem area is the Electrical System, cited in 33 reports, followed by the Fuel/Propulsion System at 15 and Power Train at 10. These are unverified consumer allegations, not confirmed defects.
66 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Prior to purchasing any used 2021 Bolt EV, it is essential to verify the status of all five recall campaigns, particularly the three associated with parking outside, using NHTSA's VIN lookup tool. An unresolved park-outside recall means the vehicle should not be garaged until the remedy is confirmed.
- Three separate NHTSA park-outside or do-not-drive campaigns target the 2021 Bolt EV's high-voltage traction battery, with the most recent issued in October 2024 after earlier remedies proved incomplete.
- The 2021 model year's Safety Index of 75/100 is a four-point improvement over the 2020 model's 71/100, driven by crash-protection scoring, not by an improvement in the defect record.
- The defect-record sub-score of 3.75 out of 20 is the lowest-scoring component of the Safety Index for this year, directly reflecting the weight of five recalls on the overall rating.
- Sixty-six unverified NHTSA complaints for this model year are concentrated in the Electrical System and Fuel/Propulsion System categories, consistent with the battery-focused recall history of this specific generation.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV places
The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV safety questions
Was the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 75 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 9.7%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 66 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Bolt EV years
Rivals in Sedan (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Audi S5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Maxima | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A4 Allroad | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5-V | 97/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Infiniti Q50 | 97/100 | not rated | 3 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15291), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Chevrolet Bolt EV 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 84 of 94 in the Sedan class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.