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 the federal safety agency should investigate whether premature steering gear failure in 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EVs is a broader safety defect.
Chevrolet Bolt EV steering noise problems
21 of the 992 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Bolt EV describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
By model year
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 7Jerking 2Loss of power 1Lane assist 1Screen failure 1Backup camera 1
What owners say
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 the federal safety agency 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)
I bought my 2023 Bolt EV new on Dec 2024. Around Jan 2025 I start hearing clicking behind the steering wheel when I turn to make parking maneuvers. By April 2025 the clicking is loud and a common occurrence. The steering no longer returns to center and it is noticeably hard to turn the steering wheel. I brought it to the dealership and was repaired under factory warranty for being a faulty part. The issue, which was a leak causing the steering rack to bind, was fixed. See the attached Chevrolet dealership documentation for further details. I have not noticed any further issues after driving for month after repairs were done.
Steering clunks during low speed maneuvers, shimmy started while rounding a curve at highway speed on uneven pavement. Local garage has identified it as a broken steering gear. Car has only 36000 miles.
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.
After around 55,000 miles, the steering column began making noise during slow speed corning. When the vehicle is not in motion, the driver can replicate this issue by turning the steering wheel into the 45 degrees position. The repair out of warranty is subject to around $3,000 and this typically is always the case as only the bumper-to-bumper warranty will cover this repair and is limited to 36,000 miles and is not enough time for this issue to arise.
Steering wheel makes noise and is hard to steer. The car creaks and clunks when driving over any type of speed bump, pothole, etc. Looking online, this seems to be a chronic safety problem with this make and model.
I am filing this urgent safety complaint regarding a critical failure of the steering system in my 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV, which began experiencing problems at approximately 40,000 miles. This is not an isolated incident; numerous identical reports exist from other Bolt EV owners on public forums like Reddit ([XXX]) and [XXX], often occurring at similarly low mileage (typically 30,000-60,000 miles). The symptoms began with distinct clicking and knocking sounds when turning the steering wheel. This has progressed rapidly to increased steering effort (stiffness) and a failure of the steering wheel to return to center smoothly after a turn. This constitutes a severe and unacceptable degradation of a primary vehicle control system. When I had the vehicle inspected I was informed that the degradation would progress and risk my ability to safely steer the vehicle, and that the car should no longer be operated without performing a repair. A repair diagnosis indicated failure of the steering gear/rack assembly, with an initial repair quote of over $7000. This exorbitant cost is nearly prohibitive and approaches the residual value of the vehicle itself. It is deeply concerning and frankly unacceptable that a fundamental safety system like the steering is failing prematurely on these vehicles. Furthermore, the extremely high repair cost creates a dangerous secondary safety risk: owners may be forced to choose between a financially crippling repair or dangerously deferring maintenance, continuing to operate vehicles with compromised steering and risking catastrophic failure on the road. Steering integrity is paramount and should not be failing at such low mileage under any normal operating conditions. This pattern of premature steering failure reported by numerous owners indicates a potential design flaw, manufacturing defect, or component quality issue with the Chevrolet Bolt EV steering system that warrants immediate investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering not returning to center, when making a turn across the street you have to quickly center the vehicle to prevent going into on coming traffic. Very stiff to turn and make popping sounds when turning.
The steering wheel does not return to the center on its own and keep stuck in which direction it is turned. The steering wheel also produces types of clunking noises when the car is standing or at a slow speed, and if you move the steering wheel left and right, it gives clunk clang clank clunk noise. it is very much a safety issue and can create a big accident. I have not taken it to the dealer, but will make an appointment to see what the dealer says. It’s been like this for over a month but now it’s getting a little louder
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet Bolt EV steering noise
Which Chevrolet Bolt EV years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (7 complaints), 2019 (7 complaints) and 2018 (3 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix clunking or noise when steering on the Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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