2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV Powertrain (other) Problems

While driving at a low speed (approx. 5–10 mph), the front passenger-side lower ball joint suffered a catastrophic structural shear without warning. This caused the wheel assembly to collapse outward and the CV axle to pull out of the transmission. The failure caused a complete loss of steering control, veering the vehicle into a curb. Physical evidence (outward axle pull and high-side rim scratches) indicates the mechanical failure preceded the impact. This occurred at only 38,155 miles on a 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV. Outward Dislocation: Photos show the CV axle pulled OUT of the transmission and the wheel leaning OUT (positive camber). A curb impact would push these components IN. This proves the wheel fell away from the car first. Pre-Impact Grinding: The interior barrel of the rim and the brake dust shield show heavy rotational grinding and metal-on-metal scoring. This confirms the suspension collapsed while the wheel was still spinning at speed, prior to the car coming to a stop. Structural Shear: The lower ball joint stud suffered a complete transverse shear. High-resolution photos of the broken stud face show distinct "beach marks" (concentric rings), which are the physical fingerprint of a slow-growing metal fatigue crack rather than a sudden impact fracture. Rim Damage Profile: Deep gouges are located on the flat face of the wheel spokes rather than the outer lip. This confirms the wheel was already at an extreme tilt (collapsed) when it made contact with the curb. CONCLUSION: The vehicle was maintained and driven under normal conditions. This was a spontaneous, catastrophic structural failure of a safety-critical component. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this as a potential manufacturing defect for the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV.

NHTSA ID

11733483

Incident

Apr 16, 2026

I was driving on the highway above 60 mph, and I suddenly got a "propulsion power reduced" alert, along with a yellow indicator light. I almost immediately thereafter got a message saying "speed reduced to 50 mph" and then "speed reduced to 30 mph." I got no acceleration when I depressed the accelerator pedal. In fact, it felt like the car had engaged the regenerative braking to actively slow me down. This is a life-threatening safety flaw, as it was difficult to get to the breakdown lane. The only reason there was no collision was that there was relatively light traffic. I managed to get to a breakdown lane and then, after restarting the car, to get off the highway and into a parking lot, where I called for a tow. The car was towed to the dealer I bought it from and, the next day, they inspected the car and determined that the auxiliary transmission fluid pump had failed and needed to be replaced. I've seen many reports on reddit that this part fails on chevy bolts. What makes this truly unsafe is that there was no warning whatsoever that something was wrong. Everything seemed fine (after I got a new battery under the big bolt battery recall) until the car suddenly cut power and slowed me down in the middle of the highway. This car needs to be recalled again.

NHTSA ID

11710387

Incident

Jan 11, 2026

Vehicle stopped while driving down the road lost power threw up multiple codes and was stuck in the middle of the roadway!

NHTSA ID

11548160

Incident

Oct 3, 2023

While waiting to make a left turn, the car lurched forward about a foot and went into park.It would not shift into any gear. A warning briefly showed up on drivers display which said DO NOT SHIFT UNTIL ???? RESETS. I turned car off but it immediately came back on automatically, and for twenty minutes I was in the intersection blocking traffic (police called to protect me from traffic). On drivers display a car symbol with exclamation point through the car was showing. After twenty minutes I turned it off again and it stayed off until I turned it on. The display of car with exclamation point was still showing. I could then shift into another gear and drive home less than a mile. When I checked car later car with exclamation point display was gone. Everything seemed. I was driving in one pedal mode.

NHTSA ID

11543576

Incident

Sep 7, 2023

Complete transmission failure shortly after seeing "Service Transmission" message in 2022 Chevy Bolt EV Drivers Information Center. When message first appeared selected option to dismiss message and continued to drive as normal. After turning vehicle off and then back on the message appeared again and all attempts to change gear into neutral, reverse, or drive resulting in all doors unlocking and the vehicle shifting back into park. Was unable to put car in neutral and move vehicle off road therefore blocking traffic until a tow truck arrived 90 minutes later.

NHTSA ID

11542304

Incident

Aug 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking lot, the vehicle stalled, failed to shift into gear and would not turn off. A towing agent disconnected the battery and the vehicle turned off. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the service disconnect fuse had blown. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the engine control module (ECM) was replaced, however, the failure reoccurred upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the manufacturer had not followed up or returned the contact's calls. The failure mileage was approximately 6,612.

NHTSA ID

11513502

Incident

Jul 11, 2022

Mileage

6,612 mi

While driving at highway speed, vehicle lost drive and a message stating to pull over was displayed. Vehicle then shifted into Park (P) and was unable to shifted into Drive (D) or Reverse (R). Vehicle towed to dealer, where it was for 7+ weeks before being repaired.

NHTSA ID

11499592

Incident

Nov 6, 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 30 MPH with the transmission warning light and three other unknown warning lights illuminated. The failure nearly caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer determined that the negative battery terminal cable was faulty and replaced the negative battery terminal cable. The failure recurred, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

NHTSA ID

11493485

Incident

Nov 14, 2022

Mileage

9,000 mi

While pulling into a parking spot the car made a loud noise and came to a complete stop. Car was able to pull into the spot. When the car was turned on after parking a warning message came up to service transmission, unable to shift soon. Vehicle was driven to dealer for service and would make thud noises when decelerating at low speed.

NHTSA ID

11479297

Incident

Aug 12, 2022

Bought vehicle 22 jul 2022 new 5 mi on odometer. System displays: service transmission unable to shift soon. Please google it. It's a common issue that isn't safe. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11475409

Incident

Jul 22, 2022