2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV problems
NHTSA has received 471 complaints about the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, and 27% of them involve steering. After that come electrical system (24%) and fuel system (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 471 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 18 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 8 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 25,000 miles 112 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 48 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 31 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 19 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 10 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 112 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 24,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 42,000 miles (10 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 18 complaints mention a crash; 6 complaints mention a fire; 8 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2017 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 7 model years of the Chevrolet Bolt EV with enough data (343 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that the propulsion system warning light illuminated. While the contact was driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and stopped inadvertently. The contact was able to get the vehicle safely to her residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission harness failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.