Chevy Bolt EV Recalled For Improper Deployment Of Passenger-Side Airbag

GM has issued a product safety recall, tagged with number N232414170, for slightly more than 300 units of the 2022 Chevy Bolt EV and 2023 Chevy Bolt EV produced with an incorrectly perforated passenger-side airbag panel.

Notably, the Chevy Bolt EUV is not involved in this product recall.

The problem: certain units of the Chevy Bolt EV were built with “suspect” instrument panel parts from a specific Tier 2 supplier, Yanfeng US Automotive Interior Systems, with the panel covering the passenger-side airbag manufactured without the perforation necessary for the panel to break off during airbag deployment.

The hazards: Chevy Bolt EV units produced with the missing airbag panel perforation may experience failure of passenger-side airbag deployment during a collision, potentially increasing the risk of injuries to individuals sitting in the passenger seat when an accident occurs.

At this time, no safety incidents involving the passenger-side air bag are known to have occurred.

The fix: GM has instructed Chevy dealerships to carry out repairs on recalled Chevy Bolt EV units free of charge. The fix consists of replacing the instrument panel with the defective, non-perforated airbag panel with a new instrument panel with the correctly perforated airbag panel.

GM does not indicate how long this specific free repair period will last. Chevy dealers are instructed not to sell, demonstrate, or trade affected Chevy Bolt EV units until the repair is correctly applied and registered in the system.

A courtesy vehicle (“loaner”) may be supplied to owners while the fix is being carried out.

Affected components: instrument panel.

Affected vehicles: 

  • 2022 Chevy Bolt EV
  • 2023 Chevy Bolt EV

Number of affected vehicles: GM has used manufacturing records and tracing records for parts to determine a total of 317 Chevy Bolt EV units are affected by the incorrectly perforated panel and therefore part of the recall. The General further adds it expects 100 percent of the 317 affected Chevy Bolt units to require the fix.

Owners should: GM will send out notification letters to owners of affected Chevy Bolt EV units starting on September 25th, 2023 via regular U.S. mail. The problem was initially discovered in late June 2023, causing an investigation that led to the current recall. Owners of Chevy Bolt units with the problem are advised to avoid seating a passenger in the front passenger seat until the defective part is replaced.

Owners of affected Chevy Bolt EV units can ask further questions or voice their concerns by contacting Chevrolet customer service at the number listed below, referencing the recall number as needed, and/or contact the NHTSA directly via its Vehicle Safety Hotline:

Contacts:

  • GM recall number: N232414170
  • Chevy customer service number: 1-800-222-1020
  • NHTSA recall number: 23V-567
  • NHTSA campaign number: 23V567000
  • NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236

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2023 Chevy Bolt EV Photos
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Rhian Hunt

View Comments

  • I called in to find a solution as I use the car for carpooling and have to use the passenger seat. I was told that they will not issue a loaner or rental at this time. I am potentially putting a life in danger and Chevy doesn’t care. Worst response ever. Not sure I can recommend Chevy or ever buy another vehicle from a company that doesn’t care about the lives of people in the cars they produce.

    • If customers are concerned, can they get a rental car or courtesy transportation?
      Courtesy transportation is available for customers whose vehicles are involved in this
      recall and are within the warranty coverage period for the warranty which is associated
      with this recall. Please refer to Warranty Administration Bulletin #17-NA-073: Field
      Action Courtesy Transportation Policy for further information.

      • Andrew, I called again today and referenced the bulletin you posted and was told that it does not apply and they will not be doing a loaner at this time. So yeah, GM is a joke.

        • If it doesn’t apply then it means your vehicle isn’t one of the 317 that is affected, it’s not for every vehicle