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.
Chevrolet Bolt EV sudden acceleration problems
11 of the 992 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Bolt EV describe sudden unintended acceleration, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical mileage
- 17,000
By model year
- 20232
- 20211
- 20202
- 20181
- 20175
Often reported together
What owners say
On August 17th, 2025, my wife was driving our 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV at low speed, pulling into a parking spot. The vehicle suddenly accelerated forward with enough force to cause significant damage to a fixed barrier. She does not recall pressing the accelerator at that moment. The degree of acceleration was disproportionate for a brief accidental press. Immediately after impact, smoke or dust was visible rising through the center console area. No airbags deployed, but it appeared similar to smoke from pyrotechnic devices. My wife sustained seatbelt-related bruising across the chest and thighs. The vehicle remains drivable. I have included photos detailing damage to the car and the fixed barrier. We are aware of the GM accessory all-weather floor liner recall (21E-089), but are not certain if our vehicle’s liner was part of that campaign. We are reporting this incident to ensure there is a record in case this reflects unintended acceleration or another defect.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power, prompting the contact to attempt to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The traction control and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front wheel driveshaft speed sensor. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin No: 22-NA-089. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.
I was approaching an intersection at a light that had turned red. I slowed down to stop but accidentally bumped into the car in front, 2 mph (approximately), no damage, not even a scratch. I put the vehicle in reverse and gently tapped the accelerator but it instantly raced backwards at full as though the accelerator pedal had been depressed to the floor. I tried to brake but it would not stop and smashed into the vehicle behind. It was scary and traumatizing. Sudden acceleration in reverse. I hope there are diagnostics that will corroborate what happened because I am certain to the highest degree that this vehicle is defective.
Twice now within three months while I was backing up as I was parking the car parallel to the curb, the car suddenly accelerated at a much faster pace and projected the car backwards. Luckily no property or individuals were hurt. It would appear that the accelerator or speed control failed at the lower speeds required when backing up to parallel park. I saw no warning lights on the dash however may have been looking back as I was parking. The dealer did not find any code to indicate a system failure. They suggested that we removed the after-market mats.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle suddenly lunged forward. The contact pumped the brake pedal several times, but the vehicle continued to drive forward. The contact was able to avoid crashing into an apartment building. The vehicle went airborne for 30 feet and landed on the street causing the tires to blowout, and two of the rims to be cracked. The contact’s wife suffered a head injury and sought medical attention. No police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the case would be escalated. The failure mileage was 72,000.
When I was parking my car on the street, in front of my house, my Chevy Bolt suddenly accelerated. Like it was full throttle. I slammed the brake pedal, didn't help. My Bolt pushed forward, then to the sidewalk, my parked 4000lbs van, that was in front of me (van had front wheels turned/pointing to the curb). My bolt continued accelerating for another few seconds, even that I was pressing brake pedal as hard as I could. I released and pressed brake pedal at least once or twice. Eventually my car stopped. Whole ordeal lasted just a few seconds. I turned the car off. After a minute, I turned the car on again, very carefully. It behaved normally. Throttle and brakes behaved like always. I parked it and will have it towed to the diagnostic or service place. Both my Chevy Bolt and my van (Dodge ram 1500 van 2003) sustained significant damage.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while parking the vehicle and placing it into park, the vehicle lunged forward which resulted in the contact hitting the vehicle in front of them. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,700.
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 chevrolet bolt EV. The contact stated the vehicle was in "l" mode before the vehicle lunged forward into the wall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer (heritage chevrolet owing mills: 11234 reisterstown rd, owings mills, md 21117) but it was unknown if the vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 500.
On friday, dec 27, 2019, as I was parking in front of my house, using "l" mode, the car suddenly accelerated. If I hadn't slammed on the brakes, the bolt would have hit the car parked about 15 ft ahead of me. Two other people were in the car at the time, and we all shared the perception that the car had suddenly accelerated on its own. We were all scared, and we all believe this car is unsafe. Details: the car was charged to about 50% capacity, the outside temperature was 50f, humidity at 65%, the weather was clear, and the pavement was dry. After a 10 minute drive, I pulled up along the curb in front my home, as usual, and had nearly stopped, when suddenly the car lurched forward on its own. Fortunately, I was able to slam on the brakes and stop the car before it plowed into another car parked about 15 feet in front of where I was. I had been driving our bolt in "l" mode (automatic regenerative-braking), which is my habit, so I am accustomed to the characteristics of stopping the car in "l" mode. I have tried to replicate this behavior by the car since, but so far have been unable. This was not a case of mistakenly pressing the accelerator, because in "l" mode (where I parked), the car will stop by itself, just by easing my foot off of the accelerator. And note that I quickly stepped on the brake. I took the car to a gm dealership, and they didn't find a problem in the obd codes. They said they would send detailed logs to gm. But it has been over a week, and gm has yet to contact me. This car frequently has other problems that appear to be due to computer systems, including: - problems starting - problems charging - the center console display freezing, leading to: cameras remaining on while I drive, or loss of HVAC controls see a similar report at: issue # 11270898
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chevrolet Bolt EV sudden acceleration
Which Chevrolet Bolt EV years have sudden unintended acceleration problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (5 complaints), 2020 (2 complaints) and 2023 (2 complaints).
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