Recall 23V845 affects 6,771 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles for seat belt pretensioner exhaust fire risk. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 6,771 2017-2023 Bolt EV vehicles under recall 23V845 because some vehicles were repaired incorrectly under an earlier recall. After a crash that deploys the seat belt pretensioner, pretensioner exhaust can ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar and start a fire; Chevrolet dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The lap belt anchor pretensioner on the 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV is part of the seat belt system. In a crash, the pretensioner tightens the belt quickly so the occupant is held in position. It sits at the belt anchor near the B-pillar, the upright body pillar beside the front seat.
In recall 23V845, the problem is tied to an earlier repair that was marked complete but was not actually performed on certain vehicles. Without the metal foil and thermal cover from that repair, hot exhaust from a deployed pretensioner can reach nearby carpet fibers after a crash. That heat can ignite the carpet material and cause a fire.
There is no warning sign before failure. The concern appears only after a crash severe enough to deploy the seat belt pretensioner, so an owner will not feel or hear the defect during normal driving.
Who's affected?
Both component labels point to the lap belt anchor pretensioner assembly.
| 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV | seat belt |
| 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV | body structure |
| 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV | seat belt |
| 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV | body structure |
| 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV | seat belt |
| 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV | seat belt |
| 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV | body structure |
| 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV | seat belt |
| 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV | body structure |
| 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV | seat belt |
| 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV | body structure |
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV | seat belt |
| 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV | body structure |
| Units affected | 6,771 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
The safety concern is fire. A fire in the vehicle increases the risk of injury, so treat this recall as a repair to schedule soon rather than routine maintenance. If you notice smoke, heat, or burning odor near the front seats, stop using the vehicle and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free front seat belt pretensioner inspection.
- Schedule the metal foil and pretensioner cover repair that keeps pretensioner exhaust from igniting carpet fibers near the B-pillar after deployment.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it, and reference recall number 23V845 and GM recall N232421970 when you call.
- Avoid delaying the repair once your VIN is confirmed, because the issue involves fire risk after front seat belt pretensioner deployment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician inspects both front seat belt pretensioners. If the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust needs protection, the technician installs metal foil in that area. Vehicles that need added shielding also receive a pretensioner cover. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are covered. This is the newer remedy for Bolt EV vehicles that were previously recalled for the same seat belt pretensioner fire risk under campaign 22V-930.
Timeline
| December 14, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 14, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| December 14, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 24, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 29, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 29, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V845?
Recall 23V845 covers 6,771 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles that need a new repair after some were repaired incorrectly under earlier recall 22V-930. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, pretensioner exhaust can ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar and start a fire. Chevrolet dealers inspect and repair the area for free.
What should I do if my 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Bolt EV is included in recall 23V845. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the inspection. The dealer will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and install the required metal foil or pretensioner cover free of charge.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to perform the recall repair at no cost. Chevrolet dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and complete the required carpet or pretensioner-cover remedy free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire after a crash involving seat belt pretensioner deployment. Pretensioner exhaust can ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, and a fire increases the risk of injury. The free dealer repair adds the required protection at the affected area.
When were owners notified about this Chevrolet Bolt EV recall?
Chevrolet mailed owner notification letters on January 24, 2024. The repair is available now, so an included owner does not need to wait for another letter before contacting a franchised Chevrolet dealer and referencing recall 23V845.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V845000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-833-382-4389 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V845 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V845000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →