Chevrolet Bolt EV Complaints (2018)

89 consumer complaints on file.

#11490285October 21, 2022
STEERING
This car has only 33,000 miles and has been driven gently, mostly on the highway. My wife took her car into the dealer to have the computer software updated (from the battery fiasco-it has never worked correctly since the batteries were changed) and the dealer advised that the car has a "stuck" steering gear, and it was unsafe to drive. The dealer produced an estimate for $2883.24 to change the steering gear, with the same presumably defective parts that were originally used. Now that it has been pointed out my wife said that the steering was getting harder and harder over time and that it probably was starting within the 3 year warranty period. Chevrolet does not consider the vehicles steering to be part of the "drivetrain", even though you cannot drive the car without steering and the dealer says that it is "unsafe to drive"
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484862September 16, 2022
STEERING
The steering binds up while turning and the steering wheel does not return to its center neutral position. This is a major safety issue because it takes significant effort to get the car to go straight again. I have nearly gone off the road because of the car’s unpredictable steering. The problem was reproduced and confirmed by my Chevy dealer. The technician attributes the problem to a defective steering gear. After some research online, I see that this problem is common with the Bolt. This is a major safety concern and there should be a recall to correct the problem and hold Chevrolet accountable. There were no warning lights or other signs of malfunction. The problem has made the wheels out of alignment, however.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482650September 2, 2022
STEERING
Our vehicle's power steering is intermittent. It randomly shuts off, leaving the driver with no power steering. Most frequently, the problem surfaces just after start-up, however, this problem also occurs after driving the car for several minutes, such as when the vehicle is parked but turned on, when the vehicle is in motion while driving, and even once in the middle of a U-turn. Once out, the power steering stays off for several minutes, sometimes only 5 minutes, sometimes 15. Once out, the power steering has a) come back on without warning 5-15 minutes later, while the vehicle is in motion while driving, or b) not returned at all for the duration of a drive. It feels unsafe to drive a car that will lose power steering in the middle of a drive. Imagine you are turning the vehicle around a tight corner at 30mph, and all of a sudden the vehicle's trajectory is instantly changed and/or affected because you aren't prepared to grip the steering wheel and apply force strong enough to hold its position without the power assist. Or, imagine the power steering goes out, and you're driving on natural power, applying force strong enough to keep the vehicle on its intended trajectory, but then, without warning, power steering returns, and you suddenly have to correct by lightening your hold? In both scenarios, the power steering is unreliably putting the driver and passengers, along with other motorists or pedestrians, at risk due to the intermittent and unpredictable power steering problem. Yes, it has been inspected by the manufacturer at a Chevy dealership and it was determined: "Internal Power Steering Module Failure. Verified on road test. Found no communication from steering control module. Test power and ground. Recommend replacement." A warning sound and a flash notice on the indicator screen both emerge simultaneously when the problem occurs, however, no messages or indications happen prior to the failure. For us, they first appeared in February 2022.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482146August 31, 2022
STEERING
Over the last month I have noticed that the steering fails to return to center once I turn the front wheels more than a few degrees to the right or left. I thought it could be a tire wear or miss-alignment issue so I got new tires and an alignment but the problem is still quite bad. While I noticed it starting at the end of July, it is an ongoing problem. It seems to be getting worse - the steering now ‘sticks’ consistently in both directions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480437August 21, 2022
STEERING
The steering wheel.does not turn back to the center once I make a turn. Mechanics say it is a steering gear that is out of order. My wife and I got into the accident multiple times due to this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11480245August 19, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
While driving at highway speed, the steering wheel started to shimmy, making the vehicle difficult to control. On inspection, the front wheel was very hot. The mechanic advised that the front caliper is defective. The Bolt EV is equipped with a regenerative braking system that stops the vehicle. This vehicle has been stopped by using this regenerative braking system about 99% of the time. The mechanic advised that since the caliper has not been used, it has started freezing, causing the brakes to continue to be applied after they are used. This causes the wheel to heat during driving, and at continuous highway speeds, causes the steering wheel to shimmy and makes the vehicle difficult to control. The vehicle has less than 10,000 miles. The brake dragging also causes reduced acceleration. The unexpected reduced acceleration can cause a hazard in the event of passing where the vehicle is unable to pass and return to the driving lane before oncoming vehicles arrive. There were no warning lamps, and the part has not been removed from the vehicle at this writing. It is not known whether the mechanic reproduced this fault. The fault has been intermittent, but has occurred on more than one occasion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11470072June 20, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The battery in this vehicle was replaced pursuant to the current recall at the Morehart Murphy dealership in Durango, CO about two(2) months ago. On approximately June 5, 2022, the car began showing a "Propulsion Power Is Reduced" warning, despite the fact that the battery was approximately 3/4 fully charged and showing a range of 248 miles. We made arrangements to take the car into the dealership on June 9, 2022. Once the car was at the dealership, the EV technician reported that the dealership had just received a bulletin from GM about this problem on that same day, that the problem was with the replaced battery, that GM engineers were working on the problem, that the car was not safe to drive, and that the car would have to be left with the dealership until a solution was found. We have heard nothing from the dealership since that time. I called the dealership this morning (June 20, 2022). The dealership advised that GM had not responded to the calls from the dealership and that no solution to the problem has been offered. The dealership suggested that I call GM directly and "raise a stink." I called GM this morning and reported the problem. GM offered no solution other than stating that it would call a "district manager." This identical problem has been reported online by other Bolt owners who have had their batteries replaced pursuant to the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467326June 3, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V560000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the battery power had decreased by 25 percent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the battery was on back order. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 1. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467129June 2, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have tried to schedule service for the High Voltage Battery Recall using a GM recommended service provider in Jefferson City MO named Rusty Drewing Chevrolet. I was turned away after scheduling my service over 1 month prior because they will not service the vehicle stating they are not getting the appropriate tools from GM. I was told that even if I left the vehicle with them for a month they would not be able to service it because GM is not sending them the replacement tools that they need to properly discharge the HV battery. I am now forced to continue operating a potentially dangerous vehicle because I am being refused service to get a recall performed on my vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11461619April 21, 2022
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
INTERMITTENT EXTREME VIBRATIONS OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING. THIS ISSUE COME AND GOES WITH OUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYING. THE VIBRATIONS ARE SO EXTREME THAT I MUST SLOW DOWN TO 30 MILES PER HOUR OUR LESS TO MAINTAIN CONTROLL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND LEFT IT FOR A EWEEK AND THEY COULD NEVER REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP EARLY 2022. IF YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE LONG ENOUGH IT WILL USUALLY STOP THE VIBRATIONS AND IF YOU TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND LET SIT OVERNIGHT; THE VIBRATIONS ARE NOT PRESENT WHEN YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE NEXT MORNING. IF YOU TURN OFF THE VEHICLE FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES THE VIBRATIONS ARE STILL THERE, BUT MNAY STOP IF YOU CAN DRIVE IT LOGER. I CAN NOT TELL IF THE PROBLEM IS THE BRAKES OR THE DRIVE TRAIN. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE MAY JUST LOCK UP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456830March 15, 2022
STEERING
It appears the steering rack is binding up. On sweeping corners at moderate speed (30-50mph) the steering wheel must forcefully be returned to center, regardless of direction and wants to turn a little further into the corner, the driver must always forcefully maintain control of the wheel at moderate speeds. The car has recently had a 4 wheel alignment, and steers straight otherwise. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The failure may put drivers at risk if they are not able to overcome the force required to straighten the wheel (which is far beyond the typical force required to drive a car with power steering) or are inattentive to the behavior. The vehicle has not yet been diagnosed by an independent service center. I have diagnosed it myself by putting the vehicle up on jack stands. With the front wheels off the ground, and the steering column disconnected from the steering rack, you can feel that the steering rack has bound up. While gripping the sides of the wheels, with them off the ground, and the steering column disconnected, the wheels are very difficult to steer, and you can feel the rack skips and jumps discontinuously. I will have the failure inspected by a GM dealer within the next few weeks as time allows. There are no warning lamps or messages. The primary symptom is that the steering wheel does no return to center upon exiting turns. This is a discussed failure on the Bolt EV forums & internet here: https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/steering-wheel-not-centering-after-a-turn.33873/ https://www.carproblemzoo.com/chevrolet/boltev/2017/steering-problems.php https://www.carproblemzoo.com/chevrolet/boltev/steering-problems.php https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/2018-chevy-bolt-46k-miles-needs-steering-rack-3k-dollar-repair.37332/page-2#post-701932 https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/steering-rack-oil-leak.28129/
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455721March 8, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In March 2021, I drove my Bolt in very cold weather, and parked the Bolt in my garage with only 7 miles range remaining. I did not plug in the Bolt to charge until 24 hrs later and found out the Bolt would not charge. The Bolt was towed to a local Chevy dealer for service. The dealer found two parts had failed. 1) Drive Motor Battery Coolant Heater, and 2) High Voltage Battery Control Wiring Junction Box. According to the dealer Part 1 was not warrantied, and Part 2 was warrantied. Here's my problem. Part 1 was replaced first but that did not fix the problem. Only after Part 1 was replaced did the dealer find Part 2 had failed. Obviously these two Parts are interdependent. Part 2 caused Part 1 to fail, therefore Part 1 should be covered by Part 2 warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451107February 9, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V560000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438102October 25, 2021
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
2018 CHEVROLET BOLT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DEALER ADVISED THE BATTERY HAD A BAD CELL AND A PROGRAM ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AND IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN A FIX WOULD BECOME UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REQUESTED A LOANER VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11434367September 25, 2021
STEERING
Driving curvy mountain road and the steering wheel fails to return to center. Nearly caused a terrible accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11433305September 17, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Parking like this is not practical and GM needs to expedite this buyback: https://insideevs.com/news/533584/chevrolet-bolt-ownership-becoming-impossible/ https://www.kbb.com/car-news/gm-tells-some-chevy-bolt-owners-park-50-ft-from-other-cars/ https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/15/gm-advising-some-bolt-ev-owners-to-park-50-feet-away-from-other-cars.html
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11432798September 13, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact leased a 2018 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 referred the contact to the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and informed the contact about a buyback program. The contact stated that the manufacturer was unable to provide a solution. The contact had not experienced a failure. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430010August 21, 2021
STEERING
Steering on this vehicle failed at less than 40,000 miles. Car is almost uncontrollable and drifts off the road; steering now requires enormous force to maintain a straight course.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11429885August 20, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I received a recall notice for my 2018 Chevy Bolt and my complaint is in reference to that. It is not a new issue. The remedy suggested by the recall notice is completely unrealistic. To use the car, I have to charge it overnight when I am sleeping. As is the case with almost every other Bolt owner, my charging station is in the garage. So it's unrealistic to (1) avoid depleting below 70 MPH range, (2) park my vehicle outside immediately after charging, and (3) avoid charging the car in my garage overnight. I just want to make sure GM does not escape liability if there is a problem and I did not follow these unrealistic guidelines
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11429197August 16, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery fire hazard not resolved. Recommendation from GM to not charge above 90% and not discharge below about 40%, giving an effective range of half of the stated range. Risk that I may need to go below the 40% charge state when travelling, causing fire. I need to charge in my attached garage, posing safety risk to me and family.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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