This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV have filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Bolt EV | 45 |
| 2020 Bolt EV | 21 |
| 2021 Bolt EV | 8 |
| 2022 Bolt EV | 4 |
| 2023 Bolt EV (this page) | 17 |
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Chevrolet Bolt EV in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Steering accounts for 30% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the steering wheel consistently fails to return to center after turns, especially at low and highway speeds. The condition appears across multiple model years (2017–2023 Bolt EVs) and mileage ranges (43,800 to 55,000+ miles). Manual steering input is required to re-center the vehicle after every turn, creating a safety hazard in parking lots, intersections, and during lane changes where overcorrection and delayed response risk collisions.
Many complaints cite a clunking or clicking noise during turns or when the steering wheel is turned—some reproducible at rest. One owner reported losing control during a 20 mph turn and nearly hitting another vehicle. The steering column and steering gear (rack and pinion) produce the noise; a few owners describe the wheel becoming progressively harder to turn over time.
Dealerships have confirmed steering gear failure, citing internal binding as the root cause. One dealer told an owner the issue is "common" in 2022–2023 Bolts. Repair costs run around $3,000 for a steering gear replacement. GM's own service manual includes a diagnostic path for "Poor Return of Steering Wheel," suggesting awareness of the condition. No recall or service bulletin has been issued despite years of complaints spanning all Bolt EV model years. One owner's problem resolved after a steering gear replacement; most others remain unrepaired or are waiting for parts on backorder.
Same Chevrolet Bolt EV steering reports on nearby years: 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel fails to return to center after turns
The steering wheel does not self-center after completing left or right turns, requiring manual driver input to re-center the vehicle. Occurs most often at low speeds and during highway driving.
When: Begins around 43,800–55,000 miles; reported across 2017–2023 model years
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel remains offset after turn completion; Vehicle drifts or meanders into oncoming traffic if driver does not manually correct; Increased driver workload and concentration needed; No warning lights or audible alerts in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Steering gear (rack and pinion) replacement costs approximately $3,000. One owner confirmed resolution after replacement. Another owner unable to afford repair remains driving at risk.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM service manual includes diagnostic path for 'Poor Return of Steering Wheel.' One dealer confirmed the issue is 'common' in 2022–2023 Bolts. No recall or service bulletin issued despite years of complaints. One dealership was unable to replicate the issue and provided only post-alignment figures without before measurements.
Clunking or clicking noise during steering input
Audible clunking or clicking sound occurs when turning the steering wheel, particularly during slow-speed cornering or at rest. Sound is described as light and occurs once at the beginning of acceleration or braking, or continuously during turning.
When: Reported starting in April 2025 (one complaint); others occurred at unspecified intervals, some reproducible at rest
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking or clicking sound from steering column or front of vehicle during turns; Sound often louder at slow speeds or from a standstill; Noise easily reproducible by turning steering wheel to 45-degree position when parked
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer performed a warranty repair to front driver side (parts not specified); click persisted. Same repair planned for front passenger side, with parts on backorder.
Steering gear internal binding
Steering gear (rack and pinion) develops internal binding that prevents the wheel from returning to center and causes excessive friction or resistance. Community research and independent mechanic diagnoses identified this as the root cause in multiple complaints.
When: 44,000+ miles; progressive onset over months in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel does not return to center; Force required to turn steering wheel increases progressively over time; Steering becomes abnormally difficult compared to normal vehicle operation
Repairs/costs cited: Steering gear replacement required; cost approximately $3,000.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
After around 55,000 miles, the steering column began making noise during slow speed corning. When the vehicle is not in motion, the driver can replicate this issue by turning the steering wheel into the 45 degrees position. The repair out of warranty is subject to around $3,000 and this typically is always the case as only the bumper-to-bumper warranty will cover this repair and is limited to…
The steering system has developed a progressively worse clunking sound when turning the steering wheel left or right when stopped, or at slow speeds. Additionally, the steering wheel will no longer return to center when exiting a turn. (In other words, it requires effort from the driver to return the steering wheel to center)
When I make a left or right turn, the steering wheel does not return to the center on its own. I have to manually bring it back to center in order to straighten the wheels after a turn.
Rack and Pinion steering rack is failing. The steering wheel is not returning to center, causing the vehicle to meander into oncoming traffic when executing left turns. Recently this forced a vehicle in oncoming traffic to ditch onto the shoulder. Luckily there was no incident (to their vehicle or driver) after stopping to check with the other driver. Dealer has since confirmed the failure of…
Had steering trouble with your 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Chevrolet/Bolt EV.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.