Chevrolet Bolt EV Complaints (2017)

350 consumer complaints on file.

#11773587October 26, 2026
SUSPENSION
I was driving on a smooth road when I felt a mild bump and started smelling smoke and saw smoke trailing from behind the car. I immediately pulled into a parking lot and saw that the rear driver side wheel was at an extreme odd angle relative to the car. A suspension beam under the rear of the car was fractured. It was very significant but at the time I couldn't tell if the beam was completely broken but the fracture is very apparent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770737October 13, 2026
STEERING
The steering (rack and pinion) is dangerous. My previous 2019 bolt with 43000 miles handled great and this one (17 with 36xxx) I have to keep both hands on the wheel at all times because it pulls after a turn and the wheel doesn’t find center so I am constantly sawing at the steering wheel. At highway speeds this could become dangerous and cause an accident from an overcorrection. Steering has become stiff and almost like I have a bad alignment but it could go in either direction. I already had a near miss at highway speeds due to the steering not being as responsive as I know it should be. I feel like the vehicle could lose control if I am a fraction of a second late in my steering. I’m not sure if this was planned obsolescence but I feel like the steering should last at least another 60,000 miles before I have to make any major repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767165September 26, 2026
STEERING
The steering rack is binding and has malfunctioned. The steering wheel does not return to center after turning and vibrates or wobbles while driving, which may impair steering control and makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by a certified automotive repair shop. No warning lights or messages appeared. The only prior symptom was progressively worsening steering-wheel operation over time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766943September 25, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have this exact issue with my car, this is service Bulletin No.: 21-NA-064 published on the NHTSA web site. The dealership wants to charge me hundreds of dollars to fix this problem, it is a software problem. This impacts safety as this heater is also necessary to safely defrost the windows. I have called GM and they are telling me they will not repair the software defect for free. This creates incentive for the car manufacturer to create bad software that will need updates. It's an easy fix, but they prevent the customer from being able to do this simple software fix which any reasonable computer person could do if they didn't have this locked down. 114401456 is the complaint I filed with GM on this safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761183September 1, 2026
STEERING
I am reporting a potential steering system safety defect involving my 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The problem began at approximately 22,800 miles. The steering wheel developed a grinding noise, a noticeable catching/binding sensation when turned, and would not return to center normally after a turn. The condition could be felt even while the vehicle was stationary and not running by turning the steering wheel back and forth. While driving, I could feel the steering pull and catch when turning left or right. The problem gradually became worse over about two months. There were no warning lights or dashboard messages. I first tried to have the vehicle inspected by a Chevrolet dealership, but that appointment was canceled. I then took it to Lee Johnson Chevrolet in Kirkland, WA. At 23,661 miles, the dealer test drove the vehicle and documented that they verified my concern. Their diagnosis stated that the steering gear had “internal worn gear damage” and required replacement of the steering gear/rack assembly. The intermediate steering shaft bolt was also involved in the repair. I paid $4,406.56 for the repair which includes a separate $301.24 diagnostic charge. The vehicle was not covered by warranty. The repair appears to have corrected the problem. I am concerned this is a premature manufacturing or component defect rather than normal wear. The vehicle has never been in an accident or collision and had fewer than 24,000 miles when a safety-critical steering component required replacement. The progressive grinding, binding, pulling, and failure to return to center made the steering increasingly unpredictable. I have also found numerous reports from other Chevrolet Bolt owners describing similar steering problems. I believe NHTSA should investigate whether premature steering gear failure in 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EVs is a broader safety defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11760811August 30, 2026
STEERING
The steering rack on the Chevrolet Bolt EV does not return to center on turns. Over the course of the past 25k miles, my particular model has slowly began to lock up on deep turns. This occurs on sharp rights, lefts, and on both on and off ramps - especially the ones that loop around. The steering rack gets stuck on sharper turns and continuous turns, requiring force to return back to center or to get out of the turn. With hands off the wheel, the vehicle maintains its turn radius and without driver input, would inevitably turn into a barrier, object, or even another vehicle. Issues began around the 80k mark, possibly sooner, and dealer did not fully disclose this occurrence. The steering binding is a safety issue, and if left long enough might fully bind up causing an accident. It reduces my ability to sense road traction conditions and make fine adjustments.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11760145August 27, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Without any warning, the INFO-TAINMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM on the dashboard (BOLT EV) fails to come on, sometimes lasting up to 5 minutes. This has happened intermittently for the last 8 years and can be problematic. When the computer info-tainment is not on, I cannot control anything on the dashboard. For example: I have no back up camera and cannot see when I back up from my garage. I cannot control the heating/cooling system/ audio/ defroster(which can be dangerous because I cannot see through my front/back windsheild). The system reboots itself afer approx. 5 mins, but in the meantme, driving can be dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758681August 22, 2026
STEERING
COMPONENT: Electric power steering (EPS) steering gear / rack and pinion assembly. WHAT HAPPENED: The steering gear binds internally. After a turn the wheel does not return to center and must be forced back to straight; steering feel is stiff and clunky. On at least one occasion the wheel felt stuck in place partway through a turn and I had to fight it to finish the maneuver. I nearly lost control of the vehicle. Exact date, location and speed of that incident: UNKNOWN. The condition is chronic and has worsened over time. I own two Bolt EVs (2017's); both have this defect and I am filing a separate complaint for each. Mileage on this vehicle: approx 96,000 but it's been bad since 80,000 (at the very least). SAFETY RISK: Binding steering requires manual correction after every turn, increasing risk of overcorrection, unintended lane departure and delayed emergency response. Worst at intersections, on/off ramps and parking lots. The driver cannot anticipate when the wheel will stick. WARNING LAMPS / PRIOR SYMPTOMS: [No warning lamps, messages or codes appeared] Earliest symptom: [stiff or notchy steering]. First noticed [right away when I bought the car used]. CONFIRMED BY DEALER OR SHOP: [not yet presented] INSPECTED BY MANUFACTURER, POLICE OR INSURANCE: No. AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION: Yes — vehicle and original steering gear assembly. This failure is widely reported across Bolt EV and EUV model years. GM service information contains a diagnostic procedure for poor return of the steering wheel, indicating the manufacturer is aware of it. No safety recall has been issued, and dealer repair runs $2,500-$3,500 because the subframe must be lowered to reach the rack. Videos of the repair are available online, which also include plenty of discussion about the symptoms and dangers: [XXX] and [XXX] I request that NHTSA open an investigation into the Bolt EV/EUV steering gear as this should 100% be a priority safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756586August 12, 2026
STEERING
I am experiencing a commonly reported issue with the steering rack binding and failing to self-center after a turn. Turning the steering wheel left and right has become increasingly more stiff over time. Unreliable steering, especially during turns could potentially lead to an accident/collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753742July 30, 2026
STEERING
Steering is binding, does not return to center when turning, it has play in the steering, and rattles and shakes when driving in the highway. Dealer said it needs a steering shaft replacement. The car has been doing this since it had less than 50k miles. There were no warning lamps or messages. Since this is steering, it is dangerous and puts others at risk. The steering binding is a safety issue, and if left along long enough it might fully bind up causing an accident, and also reduces my ability to sense road traction conditions and make fine adjustments; I feel a recall is warranted because of the serious nature of this problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750295July 14, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Infotainment unit did not come on. Connection error displayed. Backup camera did not display when in reverse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750167July 13, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Infotainment unit did not boot up. Had a communications error. No rear back up camera view when put car in to reverse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745441June 21, 2026
STEERING
Component or system that failed/malfunctioned: The Electric Power Steering (EPS) Gear / Steering Rack Assembly. The component has not yet been removed from the vehicle and is available for physical inspection upon request. How safety is put at risk: When navigating low-speed turns or accelerating from a stop where the steering wheel is rotated to approximately 45 degrees, the steering gear mechanically binds and catches. The wheel completely fails to self-center or return to a straight position on its own. The driver must apply sudden, manual physical force to yank the wheel back to center. This creates an immediate loss-of-control and lane-departure hazard during low-speed maneuvers. Because this is a progressive mechanical wear issue, there is a severe risk of a total steering lockup at higher highway speeds. Confirmation by dealer/independent center & manufacturer inspection: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealer, independent service center, or the manufacturer due to the high out-of-pocket cost of the repair. The owner is operating the vehicle with extreme caution while awaiting a formal safety recall regarding this documented steering gear defect. Warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms: No electronic dashboard warning lights or error messages have illuminated. The primary prior symptom was a subtle, rotational scraping/friction noise heard coming from the front driver-side wheel well when passing roadside walls or barriers, indicating ongoing mechanical friction within the steering assembly. The 45-degree steering binding first appeared several months ago and has progressively worsened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743799June 12, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Backup camera failed to turn on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743575June 11, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
While slowing to a stop, the vehicle suddenly experienced multiple (3–4) violent jerks. The vehicle fought against my firm brake pedal application, overpowered the brakes, and accelerated uncontrollably, resulting in a crash. During the impact: • The driver frontal airbag and pretensioners deployed. • The driver seatbelt unlatched mid-impact and then locked/retracted in a way that prevented it from latching again, even while I was sitting in the driver’s seat post-crash. I have only been provided with the limited Airbag Control Module (SDM) data, which shows the brake switch as “Off” and low accelerator pedal readings. This data does not match the events I experienced. I have formally requested full downloads from all other modules (Powertrain/PCM, ABS/EBCM, BCM, etc.) from both the insurance company (ESIS) and GM, but they have only provided the single SDM report. This appears to be a sudden unintended acceleration event combined with a brake override failure and seatbelt restraint system malfunction.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738783May 19, 2026
STEERING
The steering has become stiff; the steering wheel does not return to center after a turn without driver assistance.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732285April 19, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I started losing Regen braking intermittently, when this happens the brakes themselves don't work well and there's no warning, you lift of the pedal expecting the car to stop and its rolling freely, to push brake and its not stopping like you expect, then it thuds and lunges forward a bit and stops. It was rarely happening, now the car can barely be driven. I have not got it into a shop yet. It throws DTC P182B, P182D, P1840, and U0401 every time. Clearing them, even while still moving brings it all back to normal, except an image of my previous drive will be frozen on infotainment that I have to hard reset to get it to work. Also backup camera does now work when these codes are active. I have found 1 person online that is having this exact issue. It's terrifying to approach a stop light and used to 1 pedal driving and I'm rolling freely instead. the first incident of it was 03/05/26 and has progressively worsened. My code scanner keeps records of when I clear the codes,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723926March 12, 2026
STEERING
The steering gear (rack and pinion) assembly exhibits clunking when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, and does not return to center at higher speed (stays in turned position when let go). This is available for inspection upon request. Our safety is put at risk because the steering feels strange and does not behave as with other cars, requiring force to return the wheel to center in a turn at speed. This problem has been confirmed by a qualified service center and they attempted to fix it by replacing the intermediate steering column, but it did not resolve the issue. There were no warning messages.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711091January 15, 2026
STEERING
Sometimes, when driving in a turn, either direction, and hands are released from the steering wheel, the vehicle does not return to center. Force is required to cause the steering to begin returning to center. Once it begins returning to center, seems to always continue to center. This is a dangerous departure from decades of common vehicle operation. An unsuspecting driver can drive into an obstacle or people.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707136December 26, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am reporting a safety issue involving the high-voltage battery system of my vehicle. Vehicle: 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 87,125 miles The vehicle has generated a P302F diagnostic trouble code, which indicates high-voltage battery cell imbalance. This condition may pose a safety risk related to battery performance and thermal stability. The authorized Chevrolet dealership has refused to diagnose the issue under warranty unless I pre-authorize a $600 diagnostic fee. The vehicle is covered under an active GM buyback warranty and a 10-year / 100,000-mile battery warranty due to a recall battery replacement. Due to the safety implications of a high-voltage battery fault, I believe refusal to diagnose the issue under warranty may pose a risk and warrants review. I am submitting this complaint to document the issue and request investigation. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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