Chevrolet Bolt EV Complaints (2017)

350 consumer complaints on file.

#11432086September 8, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I stopped for a DC fast charge at an Electrify America station to ensure that my vehicle's battery level would stay over "70 miles of charge" to reduce fire risk (per GM recommendation). The vehicle has been programmed to remain at or below a 90% charge limit. After charging for 25 minutes, I unplugged the CCS1 connector from the Bolt by pressing the connector release button and pulling gently. To my surprise, the connector unlatched and disconnected immediately while charging at roughly 35,000 watts (>80 amps, 400 volts) and both the connector and my car's charging port began emitting a strong sulfur odor. The connector is supposed to have a high-voltage safety interlock that prevents either side from being moved while current is flowing. I have seen this interlock technology on many different chargers (CCS, CHAdeMO, Tesla) and have never seen it fail. After the incident, I inspected and photographed the charging port and charging station connector and found both sides seriously burned, melted and damaged. The connectors suffered oxidation, discoloration, and other metallic contamination/damage. The vehicle's inlet port contacts are blue/orange/black, not silver, and sections of metal appear to be melted away. The charger side connector contacts are discolored and have similar erosive/melting damage. The damage appears to be identical to arc flash plasma erosion. Prior to this incident, I regularly inspected the DC fast charge port and found it to be in good condition with a functioning seal, orange cover flap, clean silver pins and no damage. Before plugging in, I had inspected the charge station connector and could not see anything wrong with it. The charge connector serial number was entirely worn off. At this point, I do not feel comfortable fast charging my Bolt EV out of concern that the inlet port may overheat and catch fire. The inlet port needs to be replaced and the charging station connector needs to be replaced (and the interlock issue resolved).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431736September 4, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The check engine light came on in my vehicle and limited the speed at which I could drive resulting in the car dealership is refusing to honor the warranty on my vehicle. The manual and all information from General Motors explicitly states the components which are covered under warranty. There is a NHTSA service bulletin regarding this exact problem (NHTSA 18-NA-064) along with the labor code for doing repairs under warranty. The warranty is for the first 100,000 miles or 8 years (2025), my vehicle currently has 49906 miles. The reason I was given is that software is not usually covered under warranty but there is no documentation stating that is the case. I was told that this vehicle may have this problem just due to operating it and there is no recourse for me other than to pay to have it fixed. If this is true the vehicle is unsafe to be driven in traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431484September 2, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 21V560000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacture had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact also contacted a dealer and it was confirmed that part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431501September 2, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2017 CHEVROLET BOLT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-560. THE CONSUMER WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE AMOUNT OF REPAIRS TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431509September 2, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Since the November, 2020 recall of the Chevy Bolt for its battery defects, I have had only limited use of the vehicle and it remains a fire threat whether parked inside a garage or outside. The recommended restrictions of charging and parking by General Motors do nothing to fix the fire threat, and put an undue burden on me without any expectation of a timely repair. GM has acknowledged that they do not currently have repair parts (new battery modules), and due to the volume of units necessary (140,000 recalled vehicles), and the likely pace of production and repairs once they actually begin producing new battery modules, it will take at least 2 years for the process to be completed. Added to the 10 months already passed since the first recall, this means a potential total wait period approaching 3 years. This is wholly unacceptable and a vehicle buyback to make owners whole for their losses is the only acceptable course of action.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431158August 31, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V560000 (Electrical System) however, the part to the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms part not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430645August 26, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V560000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430341August 24, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V560000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430352August 24, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Propulsion battery catches on fire while parked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430079August 23, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have received 3 recalls on the vin number referenced above. I have been to the dealer 2 times to and thought the problem was fixed. I get another recall and find the dealer unable to fix due to unavailability of parts. I am unable to schedule a recall fix as (all dealers contacted) say I can't schedule until they have parts. I am in a continuing cycle of incompetence. It appears there is no way for me to address this latest August 21 recall from General Motors. The latest recall is to replace the battery nodules in my 2012 Chevrolet Bolt. In my 2 previous cases for a interim software fix. It continues to show as an incomplete status
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11429557August 18, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am concerned about the unacceptable fire risk posed by the battery in my 2017 Chevy Bolt and the unrealistic changes Chevy has asked owners to take in order to avoid fire risk while awaiting the remedy. I own a garage, and cannot park my car there without fear of damage to my condo. I also cannot charge the car without wasting my time supervising it. I am experiencing problems sleeping at night, due to the fact that I have a potential fire risk sitting outside of my home. The range of mileage is also greatly reduced while waiting for the recall remedy, which resulted in extra time I must supervise my car while it charges.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11428920August 13, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The 1st recall for this problem was Nov 2020. We waited for 7 months for the "permanent fix," during which time we were forced to lose some of our range. During MN winters, this is an especially big problem, since range is already significantly reduced due to cold weather. In late July we learned that 2 more vehicles burst into flames despite having received the permanent fix, so now there is yet another recall with no remedy available. This time we are forced to reduce our range by nearly half, must charge after every use, and must leave our car parked outside. This is a huge problem due to a surge in stolen vehicles in our community. When winter arrives, this huge reduction in range will prevent them from meeting our needs. We invested a lot of money in these 2 Bolt EVs and are angry that GM put our family and home at risk for the nearly 4 years we have owned them, and further that they made us wait 7 months while they tried to develop a cheap software fix for a physical battery defect. We refuse to wait additional untold months to fix this defect, which continues to pose a potentially fatal risk to our family, and also to our home (since our charging stations are inside our garage, and it is impossible to watch them for hours each time we charge them). We requested that GM repurchase our 2 Bolt EVs, but they are giving us nothing but the runaround. Also, we never even received a notice in the mail about the recall for either of our affected Bolt EVs. We are fortunate to have discovered the recall by means other than GM, but it is unconscionable that GM would not notify every vehicle owner about this incredibly serious problem. It's time for GM to repurchase our cars so that we can purchase something that isn't a death risk with minimal driving range.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11428922August 13, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The 1st recall for this problem was Nov 2020. We waited for 7 months for the "permanent fix," during which time we were forced to lose some of our range. During MN winters, this is an especially big problem, since range is already significantly reduced due to cold weather. In late July we learned that 2 more vehicles burst into flames despite having received the permanent fix, so now there is yet another recall with no remedy available. This time we are forced to reduce our range by nearly half, must charge after every use, and must leave our car parked outside. This is a huge problem due to a surge in stolen vehicles in our community. When winter arrives, this huge reduction in range will prevent them from meeting our needs. We invested a lot of money in these 2 Bolt EVs and are angry that GM put our family and home at risk for the nearly 4 years we have owned them, and further that they made us wait 7 months while they tried to develop a cheap software fix for a physical battery defect. We refuse to wait additional untold months to fix this defect, which continues to pose a potentially fatal risk to our family, and also to our home (since our charging stations are inside our garage, and it is impossible to watch them for hours each time we charge them). We requested that GM repurchase our 2 Bolt EVs, but they are giving us nothing but the runaround. Also, we never even received a notice in the mail about the recall for either of our affected Bolt EVs. We are fortunate to have discovered the recall by means other than GM, but it is unconscionable that GM would not notify every vehicle owner about this incredibly serious problem. It's time for GM to repurchase our cars so that we can purchase something that isn't a death risk with minimal driving range.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11428803August 12, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I'm upset that this car doesn't have the range it's supposed to because of battery defects and recalls
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11428275August 8, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I recently took my vehicle to Carr Chevrolet 15005 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy, Beaverton, OR 97006 related to the ongoing Chevy Bolt recall, in particular the portion "Owners who have not visited their dealer to receive the original recall remedy should visit their nearest Chevrolet dealer to obtain this important software update, which includes a diagnostic check on the health of their vehicle’s battery system. After obtaining the software update, customers should still take the interim steps summarized above." I had only had the first of two software patches applied and the latest recall indicates I should indeed acquire the second patch. Despite my having an appointment with the reason noted being this software update, the service department attempted to refuse me service. They tried to convince me this software update was not needed, told me it would take a long time to apply and they'd have to try to fit me in, told me the software did nothing, and told me I should go home and not worry about it. This directly contradicts NHTSA and Chevrolet guidance and potentially puts me, my family, and my neighbors at risk. If this is representative of Chevrolet's response to the Bolt situation, this is very dangerous. At a minimum this dealership poses a danger to Oregon residents.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11428074August 6, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A recall by GM indicates that my 2017 Bolt is no longer safe for me to use as it may catch on fire. As I have to park the car in the garage for charging, this is an unacceptable situation. Also, the software fixes are known as not to be totally effective. I am logging this issue, which I am sure you already know, as a means of documenting this situation is happening to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427852August 5, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Chevy has not managed the recall very well as the fire risk with the battery is a KNOWN issue from years ago, and yet the company tried to fix it with software. Fixing with software is impossible as it is a hardware issue. The safety of our family is compromised by owning this vehicle, and the company has been very difficult to reach for a buyback.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427672August 4, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2017 Chevy Bolt has been recalled for the second time due to a defect in the battery. GM attempted to solve the hardware problem with a software fix, with the predictable result that cars are still exploding and burning down people's homes. The lack of transparency from GM is disturbing, considering that the defect puts my life at risk and makes the car unusable for its intended purpose, which is to drive long range during the day and charge overnight. I have called my local chevy dealer who I bought the car from multiple times and left messages, but their service department does not pick up the phone when I call them and do not respond to my messages.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427655August 3, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have a 2017 Bolt that is affected by the Bolt battery fire recall. I have patiently awaited for a real fix for this issue since November of 2017. I have lived in fear of this car burning up or my house burning up from this vehicle for 8 months. I need this vehicle it is my daily transportation. I paid more than $46,000 for this vehicle (including tax and registration). Now, Chevy has said I can't charge at night, I can't charge in my garage, and I can't use more than 60% (143 miles), they don't know the root cause of the fires, they don't have a fix, and they have not committed to changing our batteries. After all this, this car is unusable to me and I can't trust Chevy to detect the defect and apply a meaningful fix. I have applied for a buyback and was denied in June. I live in MN, where I am unaware of anyone that has had a successful buyback. I can't understand how GM is allowed to have a buyback policy where one state (CA) has hundreds of buybacks where another has none. When this is truly a serious safety problem that they do not know the fix. I need help getting a successful buyback for my vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11427490August 2, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The battery may be faulty and burst on fire. This was recall last year and this year and the remedie didn’t work. 2 more fires where confirm after the final remedy
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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