2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Nov 1, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · IA

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.

Filed Aug 3, 2022 · Electrical · IN · fire

The car Battery caught fire!

Filed Aug 24, 2021 · Fuel system · CA · fire

Propulsion battery catches on fire while parked.

Filed Aug 13, 2021 · Electrical · MN

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.

Filed Aug 13, 2021 · Electrical · MN

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.

Filed Aug 6, 2021 · Electrical · WA

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.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · FL

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

Filed Jul 29, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · WA

I am extremely concerned about the battery fire recall for my 2017 Chevy bolt. I live in a townhome, with the garage on the first floor. The only place I can charge the car and park is in the garage on the first floor. And the only way to escape the building is by walking past the garage. So, the risk of a major car fire in the garage is very life threatening to me and my family! I am disappointed about how Chevy has handled this defect. I realize mistakes happen, but I think chevy could have taken more steps to ensure the safety of their customers, and not leave them with a broken car that has lost value due to the perception that it is unsafe. Chevy originally identified this defect Nov. of 2020. They shipped a temporary fix, limiting the range to 90%, decreasing the utility of the car, and didn't ship a "real" fix until around June 2021. We have learned that both the temporary and "real" fix were not effective, and cars have caught on fire with both fixes. Now we are told we won't even be informed about the next "fix" until September! A few things aggravate me: * This is getting to be almost a full years time since a known defect appeared before an effective fix was provided. Unsafe cars have been driving around for about a year! * Chevy has not informed owners the root cause of the issue beyond "a manufacturing defect". How are we supposed to have confidence that the next "fix" actually fixes the problem? We deserve to know what the problem was, and be given proof that the recall actually addresses it. * On the new recommendations, the car now has 50% the range and can't be charged inside. This makes it unusable for many, including me. Why isn't chevy explicitly providing help to their customers, such as rentals, buybacks, etc? How is it legal to cripple my car with no compensation? My perception is that chevy is drawing out this recall so they can to save money, and leaving its customers with a broken car and taking on risks to their safety.

Filed Jul 23, 2021 · Electrical · CA

We need the federal safety agency to require that GM replace all batteries immediately. Allowing cars that might bust into flames is not acceptable. The 2017-2019 Bolts now have effectively 144 miles of range. Charging up to 90% of 238-mile total range gives you 214-miles of range at the new "full charge". And leaving 70 miles of range as your new 0 miles of range will bring you to a total range of 144 miles. Not allowing me to park my car in my garage because of fire hazards makes the matter even worst.

Filed Jul 19, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · OK

I’m just reporting GMs persistent negligence in dealing with defective battery cells for 2017-2019 Bolts. Upon tear down these cells will not and do not meet GM quality standards and GMs delayed response and paltry response demonstrate what little concern Gm has in regard to the situation. This is an issue that will compound with time. My car has not caught fire - I just have an early build 2017 and am frustrated with GMs handling / mishandling of this situation.

Filed Jul 16, 2021 · Fuel system · UT

I am writing this complaint as a general complaint about Chevy's handling of the numerous fires associated with the 2017-2019 Bolt. I own the vehicle listed in this report and fortunately it has not caught on fire. Chevy is using software to try and identify hardware problems and it clearly does not work. There have now been several additional battery fires after their "final fix" was applied. They are telling owners not to put their vehicles inside a garage and only charge them outside. This is completely unacceptable and there should be a full recall for all affected vehicles. Either replace the entire battery or repurchase the car. These batteries are a significant health and safety risk and need to be removed.

Filed Jul 15, 2021 · Electrical · UT

My car has not personally caught fire, yet. But there is a physical manufacturing defect with the high voltage battery system that causes these cars to catch fire while parked and charging. GM "fixed" the issue with a software update and multiple cars have still managed to catch fire despite being "fixed" and assured that the vehicles were safe to own and operate. It's only a matter of time before one of these cars kills someone and GM clearly is unwilling to do the right thing for the safety of their customers. You can not "fix" a manufacturing defect with a software update. GM clearly is incapable of doing the wright thing on their own and the federal safety agency needs to force them to take this safety issue seriously.