Chevrolet Bolt EV Complaints (2017)

350 consumer complaints on file.

#11661546May 16, 2025
STEERING
The steering feels like it takes more input to control the steering than is reasonable. When coming out of a curve at speed, the steering doesn't return to center and continues to turn requiring additional steering input to come out of the turn.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659126May 5, 2025
STEERING
Steering wheel is stiff and doesn’t return to the center point smoothly especially when going 25 mph and faster. Possible safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658775May 4, 2025
STEERING
When corning the steering wheel intermittently sticks and fails to return to center after turns, at any speed but especially at low to moderate speeds. This requires me manually turn the wheel to re-center the vehicle, which increases the risk of overcorrection or unintended lane departure. There are no warning lights or noise, and the issue us not appear to be related to alignment, tires, or tire pressure. Many other Chevy Bolt owners are reporting the same behavior. This leads me to believe that this is a potential defect in the steering gear or rack. This is a safety hazard that could result in loss of vehicle control. GM has not issued a recall or service bulletin, and repairs are expensive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658685May 3, 2025
STEERING
While driving, especially at lower speeds or during small steering inputs (such as switching lanes), the steering wheel does not return to center as expected. Instead, it sticks in the turned position, requiring extra effort to manually re-center the wheel. This issue is intermittent but persistent, and worsens over time. It appears to originate from the steering gear/rack, as there is no abnormal noise or warning lights. The car does not exhibit issues with alignment or tire wear, and tire pressure is within recommended specs. This behavior creates a safety hazard, as the driver must constantly correct the wheel back to center, especially after turns or curves. This introduces risk of overcorrection, lane departure, or delayed reaction in emergencies. Multiple other Bolt owners are reporting similar symptoms in this owner forum thread, suggesting a potential defect in the steering gear or electric steering system. GM has not issued a recall or service bulletin on this yet, and repair costs are substantial out-of-pocket. This issue could result in loss of control if it worsens. Please investigate.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655672April 20, 2025
STEERING
The steering wheel does not return to center when turning either direction. Steering alternates between feeling loose and tight. After doing some research online, this is definitely a common problem with this vehicle among other drivers. Often it doesn't feel safe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655333April 17, 2025
STEERING
The steering has grown very stiff and does not return to center. It also feels unstable at speed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654852April 15, 2025
STEERING
My 2017 Chevy Bolt ev, (as well as others as found on the Chevy Bolt ev owners forum) has a problem with the steering wheel sticking during turns and not returning to center. The dealers want $2200 - $2500 to replace the steering rack. Since this is a frequently reported problem and can represent a hazard, should this be subject to a recall? I am puting in todays date, however this existed since purchasing the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654249April 12, 2025
STEERING
Steering system does not return to center after turns. This is a 'known' issue on the forums, and is due to the lubricant drying out. If left untended, the steering system will eventually bind and possibly seize up. GM response is to replace the steering rack and pinion for a cost of $3000-4000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11654097April 11, 2025
STEERING, SUSPENSION
Car is not returning to center on turns without significant effort by driver. This has almost caused multiple accidents. This is a common problem and should be a recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651443March 29, 2025
STEERING
The steering gear, (gear rack & pinion), started to fail. Steering became difficult and the car would not return to center on turns. This lead to the car crossing into oncoming traffic or heading off road on turns unless the driver applied significant force to overcome issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651527March 29, 2025
STEERING
The rack and pinion for this bolt is getting problematic and requires repair and should be recalled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647006March 7, 2025
STEERING
When driving and going into turns the steering wheel does not return to center.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646800March 6, 2025
STEERING
This steering issue waa forst noticed fall of 2024. Wheel will not come back to center on its own. For ex if you turn to the right it keeps going right, you have to consciously bring it back to center. Steering feels heavy/like no power steering. Safety issue ! I brought it in Nov 2023 at 37k mikes. They thought it was that i needed new tires and alignment, but that didnt help. I brought it back March 2025 at 40k, now they finally found it was steering gear assembly. It cost over $3,500.00. If you look on line everyone with Bolts is having this same issue at around 40k, with mine it was around 35k. It is a dangerous issue and should be a recall ! I am hoping that this will be resolved so people will not get hurt /killed, and I am also filing for reembursement this this is obviously a factory defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641620February 10, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving the car it suddenly, and without warning, abruptly slowed to a stop and the display showed "propulsion power is reduced", then the "service soon" symbol came on. This could have happened in fast moving traffic, which definitely could cause multi-car collisions. The GM service bulletin (Document ID: 5409616, revised February 13, 2023- see attached copy) states that this is likely due to "a spread terminal on the vehicle harness connection X2 on the T12 transmission assembly. The terminals may not have been perfectly aligned during installation at the vehicle assembly plant." This is a known, dangerous, malfunction, and GM has not issued a recall for it. The "correction" is to replace the "engine wiring harness" which goes to the EV motor. GM is also not covering this repair under any extended warranty, although it's a safety issue and really should generate a recall. Please see attachment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11641508February 8, 2025
STEERING
The car's steering wheel does not return to center on turns anymore. Over the past month, the I need to force the steering wheel back to center to straighten out the car. I've had the wheels and alignment inspected. I've been told that the steering rack is not functioning properly and should be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631776December 20, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power, prompting the contact to attempt to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The traction control and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front wheel driveshaft speed sensor. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin No: 22-NA-089. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630592December 13, 2024
STEERING
The Rack and Pinion steering is malfunctioning. The wheel is becoming harder to steer and the wheel does not return to center after a turn and is start to possibly bind, requiring excessive force to turn.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11627050November 23, 2024
STEERING
The steering rack in my vehicle became faulty. Symptoms of the fault included tightness felt in the steering, and a lack of tendency of the steering wheel to return to center when driving at certain speeds. I diagnosed and repaired the issue myself after becoming concerned that the impaired steering of the vehicle could lead to a crash. I have the removed, faulty steering rack available. I have not involved a dealer or the manufacturer. There were no in-vehicle warnings about the failure and it would be easy for a driver without technical knowledge to be unaware of the worsening defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11623057November 1, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car stopped in the middle of a busy intersection and my battery relay melted and caused damage to the transmission and the transmission needed a sphincter. The whole battery system needs to be recalled for melting and almost setting my car on fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11622756October 30, 2024
STEERING
when turning right or left the steering wheel will not return to center. The wheel sticks and pulls into the corner, and the steering rack has play in the center but is very stiff as you turn the wheel further, and occasionally it creaks as you turn at low speeds
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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