Chevrolet Bolt EV jerking problems

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

2027 CHEVROLET BOLT – SUDDEN FORWARD LURCH / PROPULSION EVENT WITH MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION FAULT CODES While driving my new 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, I was stopped at a traffic light. When the light changed, I applied the accelerator gently to move forward. The vehicle suddenly produced a loud bang or clunk and lurched sharply forward. All of the yellow instrument panel lights flashed on for a few seconds. The acceleration was abrupt and substantially different from my accelerator input. Surrounding drivers were alarmed. The event was sufficiently forceful and unexpected that I considered it a safety issue involving propulsion control. I was not accelerating aggressively; this was a gentle acceleration, in traffic, making a left turn onto a freeway ramp. I subsequently brought the vehicle to the Chevrolet dealer for diagnosis. The dealer retrieved the following diagnostic trouble codes: U164B; U164E (5 times); U0485; U11FD; P3013; U1A25; U160A (3 times)l U197A (3 times); U0159; U1126 (2 times); U1150; B1A25; U1607; U1151 Several of the retrieved codes are U-series communication/data-network codes. The vehicle has now been at the dealership for three days; so far the dealer has not provided an explanation for the sudden lurch or identified the underlying cause of the diagnostic codes. Previously the car was at the dealership for 15 days. I am concerned that an intermittent electronic, communication-network, propulsion-control, power-supply, software, or related fault could cause another unexpected propulsion event. The vehicle has also experienced charging/range abnormalities, and code P3013 was among the codes retrieved by the dealer. I do not know whether those issues are related to the lurch event, and I am not asserting that they are. I am reporting them because they may be relevant to the federal safety agency’s evaluation of the vehicle’s electrical and control systems. I am requesting that this incident be recorded as a potential safety defect

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · IL · crash

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.

Filed May 23, 2026 · Steering · CA

Steering randomly will fail to return to center in turns, causing the driver to have to manually turn wheel back to center. Happens in both sharp and sweeping turns in both the left and right direction while accelerating, decelerating, and maintaining speed. Issue occurs several times a week. I nearly hit an oncoming car head-on in a very gentle sweeping left hand turn on May 10th when my Bolt continued turning left rather than re-center when I stopped giving it left steering input. I was going about 35 and decelerating gently for a stop sign at a T intersection at the bottom of a mild downhill slope of 5 to 10 degrees. The car I nearly hit was approaching in the opposite lane on the inside of the curve. When the left hand curve straightened out, my steering wheel (and wheels) did not return to center. My car continued across the yellow double lines. I had to quickly jerk the wheel to the right to avoid a collision. *I had to physically return the wheel to center through manual input to get my car to drive in a straight line.* I narrowly avoided a head-on collision. There was no advance warning. Having the steering randomly behave unexpectedly and in direct opposition of the vehicle's design, and *every* other vehicle's design is very dangerous. This is a known issue across many, many Bolts. Replacing the steering rack/column for this known safety issue on all generations of the Chevrolet Bolt is an expensive repair. Please investigate and issue a safety recall and force GM to correct this known safety defect that they should have already voluntarily recalled.

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Steering · TX

The steering on my car is sticking and failing. When I make a turn, the steering wheel does not go back to the center on its own. I have to physically pull it back, otherwise the car will keep turning. When driving straight, the steering wheel gets "stuck." I have to use extra force to make small adjustments, which makes the car jerk. The steering also makes clunking noises. This is extremely dangerous because it makes the car very hard to control, and I could easily drift into another lane, overcorrect, or crash.

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · CO

While waiting to turn left at a light and driving in "L" (one pedal) mode, I started to release the break in anticipation of oncoming lanes clearing, as I lifted the pedal the car lurched into the intersection. The Bolt normally accelerates very gently in L mode when no break is applied, but does not lurch forwards like this under normal conditions. The breaks did work, and I was able to stop, but I was now in the middle of the intersection and slightly encroaching into oncoming lanes. I tried to accelerate to pull through, but the car did not respond. After several second of frantically pushing the accelerator, the car slowly and jerkily moved forward and cleared the intersection. My Chevy dealer says this is a known problem with service bulletin "Chevrolet TSB 19-NA-220". In my opinion this is incredibly dangerous and should have been recalled. However, there is no recall that I can find and outrageously Chevy will not cover this manufacturing defect under warranty as they specifically exclude wiring harnesses due to past issues with rodent damage, and they are hiding behind that rule.

Filed Nov 7, 2025 · Steering · MA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle’s steering system (specifically the electric power steering assist and/or steering rack assembly) began exhibiting stiffness, resistance, and intermittent loss of assist while turning. The steering system is still installed on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request by the federal safety agency, GM, or a dealer representative. ⸻ How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The loss or inconsistency of steering assist makes it difficult to maintain control of the vehicle, especially at low speeds and during turns. The steering intermittently binds or jerks, creating a risk of collision with other vehicles, pedestrians, or fixed objects. Because steering is essential for directional control, any failure or unpredictability in the system poses a direct safety hazard to the driver and others on the road. ⸻ Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue has been observed by the owner and noted by a GM Certified dealer during inspection. The symptoms (binding and abnormal steering resistance) were reproduced during driving and while stationary. The dealer acknowledged abnormal steering behavior but initially denied warranty coverage despite the vehicle being sold as Certified Pre-Owned. ⸻ Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, the vehicle was inspected by a GM Certified dealership that completed the original certification inspection and later reviewed the steering concern. The component has not been examined by police or insurance representatives at this time, but GM and the federal safety agency inspection is welcomed.

Filed Feb 3, 2024 · Acceleration, Brakes · TX

I was driving 72 mph, and went to accelerate to 75 mph to set my cruise control. As soon as I stepped on the accelerator pedal, my 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV jerked violently and immediately applied braking to car to take it from 72 mph to about 30 mph within 1 second. Had someone been behind me I would have been rear ended. I was able to pull over to the shoulder of the road, and put my car into park. I was unable to turn off the vehicle or shift into any gears (reverse, neutral, drive). The car displayed a warning on dash "power drive train malfunction pull over safely". There was no warning for the sudden deceleration and is a serious safety risk and concern.

Filed Jan 1, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · AZ · crash

Sudden rapid acceleration of car while parking vehicle on December 20, 2023 at approximately 2:00pm. The sudden rapid acceleration caused the vehicle to jump a curb and hit the base of the light pole damaging the right front of the car. Car was towed to the dealership and is currently there. If the car had not hit the base of the light pole, the car could have continued on into a driving lane possibly striking another car or pedestrian. To date , 12/31/23, the car has not been inspected to my knowledge. There was no warning lamps or messages. While reaching down to push the Park button, the engine, which is normally quiet, made a loud whirring noise and then lurched forward.

Filed Dec 14, 2023 · Steering · WA

2022 Chevy Bolt, less than 10,000 miles. Problem began 11/24/23. Steering wheel locks up at low speeds, gives warning "Steering Assistance reduced" at higher speeds. At low speeds, steering wheel turns only a small amount before it clicks and stops. Very dangerous in tight parking lots or trying to turn left or right from a stop - takes multiple tries to get steering wheel to turn, and sometimes it jerks back in the opposite direction. Took it to dealer, they said steering column needs to be replaced. Did not have an accident or hit anything prior - I think the column is defective.

Filed Oct 11, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Was sitting at a stop light when I accelerated on green I felt a lurch, it felt like someone had hit me from behind. Within 15 seconds of acceleration this light came on, a car with an exclamination point on it, and said to pull over ASAP. Car would not go any faster than 30mph and luckily I was not on an interstate or major highway. I was able to pull over in a parking lot and at that time the car was disabled. I could not put it in driver or reverse and it did not want to turn off I had to open the door to turn it off. On Star diagnostics said it was the electric drive unit not preforming as expected, codes P0A3F and P0A40. Car would not move and luckily it was daylight in the area I was at, at night this would have been bad as I would have feared for my safety as a female alone in a car that would not go. Car had to be towed to dealership and from the dealer "drive motor position sensor erratic. Found bulletin 19-NA-220 to replace engine harness (42840881 2525C F-HARNESS) for this concern due to improper instatallation of harness causing issues due to terminal damage".