Received an email from GM acknowledging that the last recall had not been entirely successful in fixing the Bolt EV battery problem. After contracting Myasthenia Gravis, I had given away my (GM) gasoline vehicle because I was unable to maintain it with my disability. I purchased a Bolt EV because they assured me it would be relatively worry free and much easier to maintain. Since it's purchase I have been continually informed that it might be a rolling death trap. I no longer have the physiological ability to fight the corporate giants. Calls to GM have proven fruitless. Please do something that effects an actual change in my pursuit of happiness. Thank you: Eric W Biggio
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV fuel system complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 70 of 70, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
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.
Vehicle was recalled due to spontaneous battery fire risk. Two stages of recall work were performed, both related to the vehicle computer and battery monitoring system. Neither has fixed the underlying cause of the problem, so the recall cannot be considered to be complete. The battery remains at risk of fire based on the federal safety agency notice on 7/14/2021 and numerous press reports, after at least two fires while at rest after charging were reported in vehicles that had the recall work completed. The recall must be extended and amended to include battery replacement with a unit that is not subject to the current spontaneous fire risk. Without that, the vehicle is unsafe to drive and possess due to fire risk, and has zero value as a tradein or onward sale. Alternatively, even though the vehicle was purchased used (with battery warranty still in force, with a purchased extended warranty, and with no disclosure at the time of a recall or battery fire risk), an exchange for an equivalent new Bolt (2020 or newer) would be acceptable.
I had my Chevy dealer install the second software update and return my battery charging to 100%. There are now two reports of Bolt EV erupting in flame within a couple weeks of each other and both vehicles had the recommended second software installed. I'm reporting that the fix GM has come up with does not work and does not prevent the initial problem of battery fires when vehicle is left unattended. My safety and the safety of my family or other passengers are at risk of a fire starting for no reason and there's no solution offered by GM for this issue. Neighbors are put at risk just by the presence of this vehicle in my driveway. The general public at large are also put at risk if I was to leave the car in a public parking structure like an airport or downtown parking. Waiting on the federal safety agency to do something about this to protect the safety of the public.
There is an existing recall on my 2017 Bolt EV and GM has not addressed the cause of the battery fires and has instead offered a software update. My car charges in the garage, the danger of battery fires is still present in the battery packs unless it is replaced with a newer type that does not have the original defect. I believe that the federal safety agency issued the recall to give an auto manufacturer time to rectify a safety defect but it looks like GM has issued a clever workaround to the initial defect of their battery packs by designing a software that will give an early warning of a possible fire. This is not acceptable for the simple reason that there's no guarantee a car owner will hear or see this warning if car is unattended in the garage in the middle of the night. The original safety defect is still present in the defective battery pack so a fix should be for GM to repair the defect in the affected battery packs or replace all defective battery packs. This recall and fix offered is not acceptable it should not take over a year for GM to make good on this recall. Action needs to be taken to get a final fix, this could be deadly to any family that owns this vehicle.
There is an existing recall on my 2017 Bolt EV and GM has not addressed the cause of the battery fires and has instead offered a software that will provide advanced warning when a fire is imminent. Since most of the known fires started in the garage while parked the danger of battery fires is still present in the battery packs unless it is replaced with a newer type that does not have the original defect. I believe that the federal safety agency issued the recall to give an auto manufacturer a chance to rectify a safety defect but it looks like GM has issued a clever workaround to the initial defect of their battery packs by designing a software that will give an early warning of a possible fire. This is not acceptable for the simple reason that there's no guarantee a car owner will hear or see this warning if car is unattended in the garage in the middle of the night. The original safety defect is still present in the defective battery pack so a fix should be for GM to repair the defect in the affected battery packs or replace all defective battery packs. Anything less would be morally reprehensible and an insult to a federal safety agency like the federal safety agency.
There was a recall on chevy bolts EV 2017, because a fire occurred. Chevy advertise that it cars get 234 miles on a full charge. This is not true and false advertising from the gmc manufacturer. Since the recall and the vehicle had to be recalibrated to 90 percent, the car get much less than 234 miles . This is important because this a all electric car. Is this not false advertisement?
Hello. We bought this vehicle in december 2020. When I tried to list the vehicle on the turo we noticed that it have the federal safety agency call. We used to visit connel chevrolet in costa mesa by they didn't fix the problem. So we still have this problem. Thank you
My vehicle is impacted by the following recalls: 1) manufacturer recall number n202311730, and 2) the federal safety agency recall number 20v701. A fix was supposed to be in place by january 1. I followed the manufacturer's steps to reduce charge capacity and waited patiently until 1/29 for the fix. On 1/29 I called gm concierge line at that time to inquire about the status of the fix. I was told there was no update. I inquired about my options including a buyback or replacement vehicle in addition to a loaner car during the period of time the car was out of commission. I was told no problem and someone would contact me. I've received two calls since that time, and none of the promised steps including buyback, replacement vehicle, or loaner cars were offered. The representatives do not respond to my emails, when I call, the assigned rep ignores my calls, and when I ask for a status update I'm told there isn't one. Gm is clearly delaying the issue. I have informed gm that my vehicle is parked in a very close quarters garage where a fire would create an imminent life/safety issue. Gm continues to not respond to my inquiry. The vehicle meets the requirements of the nonconformity vehicle under the tanner act and I am requesting assistance to ensure that the vehicle is repurchased or replaced. There has already been confirmation posted that the battery packs need to be replaced on these vehicle and gm is not acknowledging their responsibility to issue a fix to the vehicle and prevent further injury. I am writing to request an inquiry by the federal safety agency into what gm is actually doing to prevent further loss of life and/or injury and to repair or replace my vehicle. I have documented weeks of emails on the topic with gm which are not being replied to and am not sure where else to turn to get gm to address this open safety issue. Thanks.
Under the recall, the maximum battery charge is to be reduced by 90%. My vehicle gets less than that, and now only gets @120-130 miles max, but realistically only @ 100-105. I live in cold weather, mountainous northern ny state. The car is used to commute to work, 80 miles per day so I have to charge it each day, and because it does not have fast-charge, it takes @ 6 hours to get fully charged to the reduced maximum. There is also a loss of propulsion power as I get a dashboard warning all the time, and I cannot park the vehicle in my garage where my home charger is located. Chevy should replace the battery with one that has fast-charge as compensation for the loss of use, inconvenience, etc.
The bolt EV was recalled on november 13, 2020 due to the fact that the battery was defective and had started numerous fires, even when not plugged in. Gm offered a "temporary fix" which reduced the performance of the vehicle (reduced the range of the vehicle per charge) and limited some other functions). They have not offered a permanent fix and it has been over 60 days since the recall was issued. Since gm has not issued any official permanent fixes to this problem, and because of my concern about this issue, I have taken it upon myself to contact gm directly. Despite numerous calls and e-mails to gm, I have received no concrete offers to remedy the situation. I have been assigned a "case manager" - a gm employee- who is supposed to help provide a permanent fix for this issue, I have been unable to get any specifics as of todays's date about the process and/ or options. Again, this despite very specific questions. I am repeatedly told that by gm that they must go through their "process" and that my case manager has no more information. Promises of letters of "offers" for remedy have not appeared, despite my sending all requested documentation to gm, which was supposed to expedite the process. Timelines as to when remedies will be offered keep changing . I have been told that information will be emailed repeatedly and it has not been received, etc. The initial recall all stated advised that the car should not be parked near owner's houses for fear that the car would catch on fire. Not only is this impractical for me, I don't feel comfortable driving a car that has had this history. Gm needs to take responsibility for their faulty batteries and follow through on the need for a permanent fix. They are already past their deadline in doing so. Gm has not followed through on recall of the bolt EV (batteries causing fires).
In november 2020, general motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2017-2019 model year chevrolet bolt EV vehicles. This notice applies to my vehicle, VIN: [xxx]. As a result, gm is conducting a safety recall, n202311730. More specifically, a certain number of these vehicles were built with high voltage cells produced at lg chem?s ochang, korea facility that may pose a risk of fire when charged to full, or very close to full, capacity. The severity of the recall notice was alarming to my family as we drive it daily and often extended miles. Safety is my primary concern and I am requesting remediation immediately. The risk and danger is too great for me to wait and see as gm investigates. What recourse do I have now? Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
Today I received recall notification gm n202311730 about defective batteries that can cause a fire when charged to 100%. Gm's solution is to change software to limit my vehicle's charge to 90%. This is not a solution. It is a band aid. The batteries are defective and should be replaced. Why should I suffer the consequence of this and have to deal with reduced vehicle range and more frequent charging. If the batteries are a fire hazard, they should be replaced with safe batteries at no-cost to the owner.
Gm recall due to battery fires affects this car. The recall solution to simply limit my driving to 90% of the range is abhorrent. My car is now less than 90% effective--there are destinations I can no longer reach in a single charge, and recharging is nowhere near as fast or ubiquitous as gas. Gm needs a solution that restores the full distance ability of this car, otherwise it's outright fraud.
Hello my vehicle had to be towed twice while dc fast charging from an electrify america charging station. The first time the shifting handle was replaced and the second time software was reinstalled. However I believe the could be an issue in the batteries that the dealership test equipment is not detecting. The electrify america charging station would display a 'isolation test failure' message.
While slowing to make a stop at an intersection, the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration and would not stop. The car struck the vehicle in front of it a couple of times and continued to accelerate.
Got the message: propulsion power is reduced I could start the car but not shift gear. Got the error "cannot shift gear conditions not right
My 2017 chevy bolt lost propulsion while in motion on city streets in los angeles in traffic without warning from either on star or the vehicle. The battery indicated approximately an 60% charge. The vehicle is now at el camino chevrolet in monterey park, ca., waiting on service.
While in motion the car began to erratically speed up & slow down without the driver depressing either the acceleration pedal or the brake. The result was the jumping & bucking of the car & passengers within. Upon taking the car to chevy repair, it was discovered that the wheel speed sensor was damaged because of a faulty washer in the axle that broke. The broken washer parts entered the wheel hub, damaging both the wheel hub & the speed sensor.
On the night of march 2, 2019 I was driving at about 50 MPH on a state highway when I suddenly, without warning, lost propulsion. A note came on on the dash indicating that I needed to pull over and put the car into park. Happily there was no traffic so that I was able to do so without an accident. I was unable to restart the car and put it into drive after that, so I called a tow truck. It was very cold waiting for the tow truck as the car had no heat. The car reported approximately 50% battery capacity the entire time. A sudden unexpected loss of propulsion is a dangerous event. The car had only 11,000 miles on it. After sitting for some time, the car has 'fixed' itself. However, this will probably happen again. I have brought it to a certified chevrolet service center and called chevrolet to report the issue. Because the problem is intermittent, they are unable to diagnose the problem.
My car was stopped at a red light signal, someone behind me was unable to stop and crashed into the rear of my car, pushing my car approximately 20ft forward. My car was rendered in operable due to damage to a rear electrical amplifier beneath the trunk floor. I had to get the car towed to a collision repair facility. Gm withdrew the necessary structural parts to repair it (part number - 95429564 r upper rear body side rail.) and did not release a new part during the 8.5 weeks my car was at the collision repair facility. My insurance company then determined that the car was a total loss due to no parts were available to repair it. The other driver did not get a ticket, the speed limit was 40mpg on this road. This was a low speed crash that rendered the car drive system inoperable. Chevy bolt EV's with model years 2017, 2018 and 2019 has the same design that will lead to the drive system being inoperable in low speed rear end collisions.
Driving at 65 MPH with 100+ mile range, car had a sudden and complete lack of propulsion. Electronics in the car continued to work, but absolutely no propulsion. Could shift car to neutral. Car eventually towed to dealer.
Car suddenly lost power on the highway. I had to coast to a stop. The high-voltage battery which had been 3/4 full went down to zero. After the incident, the car could no longer be drive. I'd already had gm's recall installed n172127150
Bolt EV chimed, icon appeared and the travel mileage from the evening's charge dropped from about 240 mi to lo and I had to pull over and park. Message on display was propulsion power is reduced. I then had to be towed to chevy dealer to have the recall #18097 reprogrammed. Problem reoccurred 3 days later. Had to be towed again. Car is unsafe. I live in very rural area...was lucky it was daylight.
On 2018-07-26 at approximately 2325h, vehicle was being driven at ~70mph northbound on I-95, the maine turnpike. Location was approximately 1/2 mile north of exit-32 (biddeford, me). Road conditions were good, temperatures in the mid-70f, humid. The owner's wife was driving, with her husband in the passenger seat. At the time listed, the vehicle sounded a warning chime, and rapidly lost power from highway speeds (70 mi/hr). Vehicle, with the exception of speed, was in control with brakes and steering, emergency flashers, and lights operating. Vehicle driver information panel gave erratic and unreliable readings. Alternately, the display showed: * warning icon on right hand side * message "shift into park" * range dropped from ~75 miles to zero * battery gauge would indicate 5% battery with a range of 70+ miles * regenerative battery icon showed a regen braking limit of <30kw (indicating battery full??) (page 116 chevrolet bolt user manual) after stopping vehicle was unresponsive to most controls. * intermittent inability to shift out of park * warnings to go into low-power mode * warning the "battery saver active" * warning for "high voltage charging system"
The bolt stopped providing power when I was driving down a 4 lane freeway. It has already failed 3 times in the past, this is the 4th time.
This vehicle has abruptly gone to zero range and entered a reduced power mode even though the battery showed sufficent range seconds earlier. After stopping, getting out and keying up again, the car stayed at zero range and displayed a charge now message. The first incident happened on january 11, 2018. In that case the range meter showed about 30 miles remaining. As I understand it, there are two preliniary warnings before the third more insistent one. The car was driven by another colleague who hadn't driven it before, and he wasn't sure if he missed the first two warnings or not. He was traveling at 70 MPH on the freeway at the time the vehicle "stalled" for lack of a better word. The range went to nothing, the vehicle dropped in speed significantly (not a pure stall) and he had to move through lanes to the side of the road amid faster traffic. Because of the uncertainty about warnings he may have missed (I don't think they're subtle enough to miss, so it is my view they never happened) we talked ourselves out of a dealer visit. We towed it to a nearby level 3 fast charger instead, after which it performed normally. Subsequent onstar e-mail health reports have described the battery as in good condition. The most recent of these was february 7th, which is interesting because ... Then, on february 8, 2018, it happened again. This time the vehicle went from 60 miles to nothing. Same issue: drastically reduced power with no advanced warning, maneuvering through faster traffic to a freeway exit ramp. The car came to a halt on the long exit ramp. It was towed to a dealer, where it now sits. I have never received a serivice bulletin or recall notice for anything, and as far as I know the car is up to date in this regard. There may be two problems: 1) the battery has a defect and 2) on star health battery checks reports are meaningless.
Driving on the freeway (60-70mph) with the battery at or slightly above 50%, an alert sounded, and the battery level immediately went down to nearly zero. It estimated 10 miles left, but speed immediately decreased, and the accelerator stopped working. After rapidly coasting over to the shoulder, and within seconds, the car made a series of loud noises and completely stopped.
Service engine light came on along with the message propulsion power reduced while driving on the freeway. I pulled off to the side and read what the warning light meant and decided to head home. I stopped on the way home at the grocery store and when I came back out and started the car the warnings were still there and then it wouldn't shift into gear. I kept getting a message that conditions were not right to shift and please put the car in park. (it would go into neutral) when I tried to shut the car off it wouldn't shut off. I finally got it to shut off by opening the door when I was shutting it off. On star told me I was having a "catastrophic failure and the car would need to be towed. The two truck driver called me 15 minutes later and asked me to make sure I could get the car into neutral. I started that car again, all the warmings came back on except it did allow me to shift into gear. I drove it home and backed into my drive. The two truck arrived and when we started the car again the warning lights were all on but again it did shift into gear. He towed it to the dealership.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history