45 of the
1,361 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Bolt EV
are about the engine —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11743575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving at approximately 45 mph, the regenerative braking feature of the vehicle suddenly failed, and also generated a master caution light on the dashboard display. This is the second time this has happened while driving and resulted in a sudden, alarming change in vehicle dynamics. Regenerative braking is the normal operation regime of the vehicle, with the traditional mechanical-hydraulic brake pedal available for added braking, as demonstrated by the Chevrolet dealership during a test drive and confirmed with the vehicle manual. Furthermore, the vehicle will no longer shut itself off and could pose a fire risk when stored in a garage, parking deck, other vehicles, etc. These issues happened in November 2024. The car was returned to the dealer for warranty repair. Even after extensive repairs to the electrical system, the car has repeated the alarming failure mid-drive. This indicates that there is a serious problem with the electronic and poses a serious safety risk.
NHTSA complaint #11729055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting a safety issue involving the high-voltage battery system of my vehicle. Vehicle: 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 87,125 miles The vehicle has generated a P302F diagnostic trouble code, which indicates high-voltage battery cell imbalance. This condition may pose a safety risk related to battery performance and thermal stability. The authorized Chevrolet dealership has refused to diagnose the issue under warranty unless I pre-authorize a $600 diagnostic fee. The vehicle is covered under an active GM buyback warranty and a 10-year / 100,000-mile battery warranty due to a recall battery replacement. Due to the safety implications of a high-voltage battery fault, I believe refusal to diagnose the issue under warranty may pose a risk and warrants review. I am submitting this complaint to document the issue and request investigation. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11707136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, the vehicle exploded. The contact believed the failure was due to the battery. The front left tire message was displayed. The battery was previously replaced. The local dealer was contacted regarding the battery purchase. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called another local dealer. La Quinta Chevy Cady Service, 79225 CA-111, La Quinta, CA 92253, to obtain the service records, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries, police report filed, or airbag deployments. The manufacturer was contacted, who filed an incident report. The failure mileage was approximately 53,030.
NHTSA complaint #11683606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This car several times while driving has shaken and then shifted into neutral. I have had to pull the car off to the side of the road during normal vehicle operation. The car will then not shift into drive. There is a warning sign "Conditions Not Correct For Shift." The first incident was March 2023. The vehicle was towed to a Chevrolet dealer and the power inverter module was replaced under warranty. This next occurred in December 2024. The vehicle was towed to a dealer again and reprogrammed. The cost was $400. The vehicle was fine for two months and about 1,000 miles when it happened again in March 2025. This time the dealer states that the engine harness needs to be replaced for about $1,500 (not covered under warranty). These incidents all occur while driving the vehicle (it has happened while approaching an intersection and once while going through an intersection).
NHTSA complaint #11648731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On January 8, 2025 the battery in my car began to fail and had a message in the display to take it to my dealer. I drove it to the nearest dealer on January 10, 2025, about 10 miles (Billion Automotive in Iowa City.) While driving the power steering and braking began to fail. The dealer said that GM would need to replace the battery. It has been at the dealer for 2 months, and I was told today that it will be at least another 2 months before GM will replace the battery. The car is well under warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11647627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11595897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11562910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chevrolet dealer was unable to install software during 2 hour N212345944 recall service. Stated that due to error codes and were unable to contact technical support for assistance with errors. I was told to reschedule and leave the vehicle for another attempt. My concern is that GM/Chevrolet repeatedly lead me to believe they had a Final software remedy and they are not delivering on it. They have had more than three years to fix the problem and I am still being denied full use of my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11557255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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".
NHTSA complaint #11549415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
- The car did not start and we were left stranded in an unsafe place. When I turned the car on I immediately saw and error saying "Conditions not correct for shift" and then it wouldn't turn back off - safety was at risk because it was super hot and my 5 year old with autism could not make it home in our own car - not taken to dealer however many reports on social media for the same issue. [XXX] -not yet however I have an appointment at the dealership to have it inspected later this week - zero issues or warnings before this happened INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11541055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking lot, the vehicle stalled, failed to shift into gear and would not turn off. A towing agent disconnected the battery and the vehicle turned off. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the service disconnect fuse had blown. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the engine control module (ECM) was replaced, however, the failure reoccurred upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the manufacturer had not followed up or returned the contact's calls. The failure mileage was approximately 6,612.
NHTSA complaint #11513502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am filing a complaint against GM. The following info is from the NHSTA website. Original recall date: Aug 20,2021. Manufacturer Recall Number N212345940. NHTSA Recall Number 21V650. Recall Status: Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available. I have waited over a year for my replacement battery. GM has seen an almost 15,000 vehicle surge in Bolt EV and EUV sales in the most recent financial quarter. And GM has announced increasing new Bolt production by almost 400%. However, thousands of existing Bolt EV owners are still waiting for replacement batteries. GM continues to state that parts are not available. Clearly, with the surge in sales and GM’s plan to increase Bolt production, parts are available. Existing Bolt owners have suffered for years with defective batteries that none of us known if or when a battery will catch on fire and kill us or damage property. I urge the NHSTA to put pressure on GM to replace defective batteries first before selling cars with nondefective batteries. I would not be complaining if GM was not clearly prioritizing profits over people. GM is making nondefective batteries but makes existing Bolt owners wait over a year for a replacement while GM takes in revenue and generates profit. The defective batteries catch on FIRE. None of the batteries existing Bolt owners should have to wait this long for replacement batteries and suffer with anxiety and stress not knowing when or if their car battery will spontaneously ignite.
NHTSA complaint #11493049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This vehicle left me on sept 13 in the middle of the freeway bc it lost propulsion. I had plenty of charge and all of a sudden my charge was gone. The car wouldn’t speed up. Had to pull over and wait 4 hours for tow truck.
NHTSA complaint #11489987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
General Motors is making brand new Bolt ev/Euvs using batteries that are supposed to be used to fix cars that could potential catch fire. They stated that the old vehicles effected by the recall would be given priority. I have had a bolt EUV on reserve that has been waiting on a battery replacement for over a year. GM will not inform me or the dealership of when it might be repaired. Concurrently GM is making and selling new bolts that use the battery pack that could be used to fix the old bolts. It is criminal that they would allow dangerous vehicles to remain in public while they make brand new vehicles for profit using the part that could fix every single old vehicle. Based on GMs public response to the matter they are false advertising their response to “prioritize cars” that are already made that are faulty. Instead they are prioritizing new cars while leaving thousands of hazardous cars in dealer lots and on the street. If GM can make new batteries for new bolts and sell them then they can take care of the recall. I have had extensive conversations with several dealerships confirming that GM is shipping them new bolts while allowing defective bolts to sit for over a year. I have had conversations with GMs concierge desk where they confirm the same behavior. These actions by GM are fraudulent, dishonest, and a danger to the public.
NHTSA complaint #11474582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
General Motors is making brand new Bolt ev/Euvs using batteries that are supposed to be used to fix cars that could potential catch fire. They stated that the old vehicles effected by the recall would be given priority. I have had a bolt EUV on reserve that has been waiting on a battery replacement for over a year. GM will not inform me or the dealership of when it might be repaired. Concurrently GM is making and selling new bolts that use the battery pack that could be used to fix the old bolts. It is criminal that they would allow dangerous vehicles to remain in public while they make brand new vehicles for profit using the part that could fix every single old vehicle. Based on GMs public response to the matter they are false advertising their response to “prioritize cars” that are already made that are faulty. Instead they are prioritizing new cars while leaving thousands of hazardous cars in dealer lots and on the street. If GM can make new batteries for new bolts and sell them then they can take care of the recall. I have had extensive conversations with several dealerships confirming that GM is shipping them new bolts while allowing defective bolts to sit for over a year. I have had conversations with GMs concierge desk where they confirm the same behavior. These actions by GM are fraudulent, dishonest, and a danger to the public.
NHTSA complaint #11474584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Four times during a cross country trip, after a Level 3 dc charging session, the car would either not start or if it did would not shut off. The gear could not be shifted into reverse or drive and the radio, AC all shut down even though the car was still on. The service soon indicator light came on. Diagnostics from ON-STAR said that it was the propulsion system. Another indicator light came on saying conditions not right shifting. The fifth time it occured while the car was moving and unlike the four previous times the gear couldn't be jiggled or temporarily rebooting the car by removing the 12-volt battery. The car had to be towed to the dealer where it was announced that drive control wiring harness needed to be replaced. This problem is well documented on GM Bolt forums. The car should have been recalled before my family was put at risk. I wasted 12 hours during a 19 hour move across the country due to this known problem. I was stranded in life threatening triple digit heat indices.
NHTSA complaint #11471571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Euv service soon light came on followed by a propulsion reduced message. Speed was limited and air conditioning was warm. While parked the euv made a pulsating clicking noise. Euv would not go through charging procedure. Euv gave a change complete message with only 81 miles on the display
NHTSA complaint #11468830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2018 CHEVROLET BOLT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DEALER ADVISED THE BATTERY HAD A BAD CELL AND A PROGRAM ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AND IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN A FIX WOULD BECOME UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REQUESTED A LOANER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11438102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.