Chevrolet Bolt ev problems
The Chevrolet Bolt EV (marketed in Europe as Opel Ampera-e) is a battery electric subcompact hatchback produced by General Motors under the Chevrolet marque. The Bolt was produced from late 2016 to mid-2021, subsequently restarting in early 2022, until late 2023. In mid-2023, GM officials said they would cancel the car, then three months later announced plans but no date for a next-generation model.
The first generation was developed and manufactured with LG Corporation. Sales of the 2017 Bolt began in California in December 2016, it was released nationwide and international markets release in 2017. A rebadged European variant was marketed as the Opel Ampera-e in mainland Europe.
In 2017, the Bolt was the second-best-selling plug-in car in the United States. It was named the 2017 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the 2017 North American Car of the Year, an Automobile magazine 2017 All Star, and was listed in Time magazine's Best 25 Inventions of 2016. The Ampera-e was discontinued after 2018. By the end of 2020, GM had sold 112,000 Bolt and Ampera-e cars worldwide.
The first-generation Bolt has been subject to at least three recalls. At least 16 Bolts have caught fire, leading to a recall to fix or replace battery components and GM's August 2021 advisory to park in open areas, at least 50 feet (15 m) away from other vehicles.
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Chevrolet Bolt ev model years
Common Chevrolet Bolt ev problems
The Chevrolet Bolt EV has been associated with several common problems, primarily related to its battery, in-car electronics, and suspension.
- In-Car Electronics: The Bolt EV has experienced issues with its infotainment system, including problems with the audio, GPS, phone, rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, and head-up display. These issues can lead to a less reliable driving experience, with complaints about the system freezing or not functioning properly.
- Suspension Clunk: Some Bolt EV owners have reported a rear suspension clunk, which is caused by a bad axle. This issue is particularly noticeable in L driving mode, where getting on and off the throttle can cause the rear suspension to clunk. This problem can affect the overall driving experience and safety of the vehicle.
- Steering Rack Binding: Another common problem with the Bolt EV is the steering rack binding up and needing to be replaced. This issue is characterized by the wheel not returning to center when released, which can affect the vehicle's handling and control.
- 12V Battery Dying: Some Bolt EV owners have experienced issues with their 12V battery dying prematurely, causing various electrical issues until the problem is diagnosed and resolved.
- Gasket Near the Back Hatch Coming Out: There have been reports of the gasket near the back hatch coming out, which can lead to water leaks and other potential problems.
While many Bolt EV owners have not experienced any issues, these common problems can significantly impact the driving experience and overall satisfaction with the vehicle. It is essential for potential buyers to be aware of these issues and consider them when making a purchasing decision.
What is the issue with the Chevy Bolt?
However, the Bolt has had its troubles. Chevy had to issue two recalls for the Bolts in recent years over concerns that battery issues could cause the cars to catch fire. Bolt owners were advised to park their vehicles outdoors once the battery was charged.
What is the life expectancy of a Chevy Bolt?
The battery in the Chevy Bolt EV or Bolt EUV is guaranteed to get at least 8 years or 100,000 miles out of a new battery.
Is Chevy Bolt dependable?
We expect the 2023 Bolt EUV will have about average reliability when compared to the average new car.
How much is a Chevy Bolt battery replacement?
We'd estimate that the lowest out-of-pocket cost for an uncomplicated battery pack replacement on the Chevy Bolt would be from $16,775-$17,775 ($16,000-17,000 for the battery, $100-200 for related parts, and $675 for the HV-certified labor).
Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet Bolt ev years
We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet Bolt ev cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Chevrolet Bolt ev model years:
- Chevrolet Bolt ev 2019
- Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Chevrolet Bolt ev 2021
- Chevrolet Bolt ev 2022
- Chevrolet Bolt ev 2023
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet Bolt ev model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet Bolt ev years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Chevrolet Bolt ev car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet Bolt ev , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Electrical system problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet Bolt ev vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Bolt ev model years
A total of 17 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Bolt ev model years
There were a total of 14 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Bolt ev model years
There were a total of 10 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 416 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet Bolt ev . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet Bolt ev vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-24
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-25
- VIN: 1G1FY6S0XM4
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING GEER HAVING ISSUES OF THE STEERING WHEEL COMING BACK TO CENTER AFTER THE TURN. NOW NEED TO REPLACE STEERING GEER
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-31
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-17
- VIN: 1G1FZ6S08L4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My backup camera started working intermittently for about a year and now has just stopped working completely. Searching online, this is a very widespread issue with Bolt EV and EUV owners, happening as early as immediately after the car was purchased.
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-02
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-03
- VIN: 1G1FZ6S01L4
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The rear/front camera sometimes stop working or froze and have to turn off the car, to reset, usually happens when it rains
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-21
- VIN: 1G1FZ6S06L4
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Pulls to the right when accelerating too much. Even after alignment.
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-21
- VIN: 1G1FZ6S06L4
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The cameras for the 360° view, front to sides and back, keep going out. It's been a repair now five times and it still came back. The dealership is running out of ideas of what to do to fix this. I think it's just a known issue that they can't seem to fix. The main issue is the front camera goes out completely and then on mine, the left side camera goes out and is just black where the front camera will be green and not functioning. I think the module that processes data isn't properly made to handle the amount of video inputs coming in and it bugs out. It seems that it's worse when the temperature swing is too much. Currently it's the temperature of hot above 90° the car gets very warm obviously.
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-02
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-20
- VIN: 1G1FZ6S03L4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: The reverse camera (and all cameras) is no longer working. This is a required safety feature and thousands of Bolt owners have reported this on Chevy forums and Reddit groups.
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-20
- VIN: 1G1FY6S03M4
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Shift selector failed. Could no shift into gear Drive, low or Reverse. Locked in park but could shift to neutral. no power steering or AC. If this design flaw failure occurred while the car was on the highway, it could cause an accident. I have contacted General Motors and reported the potential safety issue and awaiting there response.
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-14
- VIN: 1G1FZ6S04K4
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The steering wheel is very stiff; if you turn left or right, when you complete the turn, if you were to release the wheel, it does not counter-turn back towards the center. Put differently - in an open parking lot, you could turn the wheel all the way to one side, release the wheel, press the accelerator --- and you'd go in circles. This has been happening for some time, but just recently had it pointed out that it is not normal. I feel its a meaningful safety risk. I researched the issue online and it seems that it is common for this model but GM has been unresponsive.
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-07
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-07
- VIN: 1G1FY6S01L4
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-27
- VIN: 1G1FZ6S05L4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while driving approximately 4 MPH and exiting the driveway, the check engine warning light and the check gear shifter warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the negative 12V battery cable had short circuited and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-19
- VIN: 1G1FY6S0XL4
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: See attached document for complaint
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-08
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-07
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: See attached document for complaint
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-13
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-05
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G1FZ6S09L4
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I narrowly escaped a home and vehicle fire when my vehicle charging port received extensive damage from a Mustart SAE J1772 Level 2 EVSE Portable Electric Vehicle Charger. The charging plug overheated and experienced meltdown. The Mustart unit became so hot that my vehicle charging port charred and fused to the Mustart charging plug. The charging head became very brittle, cracked exposing seals, and leaked oil down the vehicle charging port. Even though the charging head is now melted and broken, the charger does not register a fault, and still shows a green light if plugged into the wall. My first warning of a problem was the smell of burning plastic, oil leaking and what looked like smoke coming from the charging head. I immediately unplugged the charger from the wall, but could not remove the charging head from the vehicle charging port because it was fused to the car. I tried to shift the vehicle out of Park and into neutral to move the vehicle away from my home, but the vehicle would not shift with the plug still attached. Even though unplugged from the wall, the Bolt kept beeping, indicating an issue with the charger/port. Fearing a physical short in the charging circuitry of the vehicle, the burning smell and potential for fire, I forcefully removed the charger from the vehicle by pulling on the charging handle with full human stregnth until separated. The plastic parts of both the charger and charging port were burnt and broken. My Chevy Bolt was repaired by a licensed technician at the dealer, who blamed me for the charging fault and damages. GM alleged the damage I caused to the charging unit during removal was pre-existing, causing a loose connection and short circuit. GM refused to repair the damaged charging port under warranty, claiming user error and abuse. I sent a request for refund and reimbursement of damages to Mustart on 8/05/2024 and will update this complaint after their official response.
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-01
- VIN: 1GBJF1G08K4
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Steering wheel doesn't return to center after a turn, it must be turned back manually. If left unfixed this can cause the steering to lock up entirely when the steering gear fails.
Chevrolet Bolt ev 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-31
- VIN: 1G1FY6S09K4
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Steering doesn't return to center when driving around 40mph on turns. You must manually move it back.
Latest 5 recalls Chevrolet Bolt ev
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 35 recalls for different components of the Chevrolet Bolt ev.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Chevrolet Bolt ev 2021
- Report Received Date: 2024-06-27
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resulting in a battery fire.
- Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Dealers will reinstall the advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 1, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's numbers for this recall are N242443000 and N242443002.
- Model: Chevrolet Bolt ev 2022
- Report Received Date: 2024-06-27
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resulting in a battery fire.
- Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Dealers will reinstall the advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 1, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's numbers for this recall are N242443000 and N242443002.
- Model: Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Report Received Date: 2024-06-27
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV vehicles that were previously remedied under recall number 21V-650. The advanced diagnostic software may have been incorrectly installed and fail to detect defective battery modules, possibly resulting in a battery fire.
- Consequence: A battery fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Owners are advised to take the following interim steps: Set the Target Charge Level feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight. Dealers will reinstall the advanced diagnostic software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 1, 2024. Owners may contact the Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's numbers for this recall are N242443000 and N242443002.
- Model: Chevrolet Bolt ev 2020
- Report Received Date: 2023-12-14
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. This recall includes certain vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire.
- Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and, if necessary, install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust. Certain vehicles will also need a pretensioner cover installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under recall number 22V-930 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Owners may contact GM EV Concierge at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232421970.
- Model: Chevrolet Bolt ev 2018
- Report Received Date: 2023-12-14
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. This recall includes certain vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire.
- Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and, if necessary, install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust. Certain vehicles will also need a pretensioner cover installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same issue under recall number 22V-930 and will need to have the new remedy performed. Owners may contact GM EV Concierge at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232421970.
Latest negative Chevrolet Bolt ev car reviews
Latest positive Chevrolet Bolt ev car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2021
We've been enjoying the Bolt for a week now and it's been a great experience overall. As someone who has owned a Tesla Model 3 for almost 3 years, I can say that the Bolt is a solid contender. When driving in L mode, the acceleration and braking are smooth and it handles well on city streets. While the Model 3 is definitely sportier to drive, it can be a bit rough on rough roads. Since the Bolt is primarily used on SF streets, it's a better fit for our needs. However, I do prefer the Model 3 on the freeway. As for the interior experience, it's not a fair comparison as the Model 3 is more inviting, especially in the front seats. Even my kids prefer the backseats of the Model 3 slightly more. As a 6' tall person, I actually prefer sitting in the Bolt's rear seats over the Model 3, but only for short periods of time. I wouldn't want to be in the back of either car for an extended period. My son and I have had a good laugh about the Bolt's buttons, menus, and settings. It seems like they could have been reviewed by non-software engineers before manufacturing. While some people say that Tesla has a learning curve, it only took a few days to learn the menus on the Model 3. With the Bolt, we don't think we'll ever fully understand all the options. It's just too complicated and confusing. It's not always clear what you can and cannot do, and how to do it. Even as an EE/controls engineer and my son being a budding technophile who has created several simple games for desktop and mobile browsers, we still struggle with some of the Bolt's features. For example, we can't seem to make it charge exactly when we want it to, but we're hoping that will be solved after we install the Juice box. We're also not sure why the utility hours option is only possible with departure time. Another issue we've had is that the heated steering wheel seems to be on every time we start the car, and we can't figure out how to disable it. Since the car is mostly driven by my mom, who is in her 70s, she never remembers to turn it off. One of the main reasons we chose the Bolt over another Tesla was because my mom has trouble getting in and out of the low Model 3, and she preferred a smaller car than the Y for SF city driving. Another reason was the price. Overall, we're happy with our purchase and look forward to continuing to drive the Bolt.We paid around 42k for the 3 (LR RWD) after incentives, before tax. Additionally, we paid about 21k for a new 2020 Bolt premier after incentives, before tax, and with 0% financing. We were fortunate to receive some unique local incentives, making this a great deal. However, it is also unfortunate that a car with so much potential was sold at such a low price. This is evidence of mistakes in execution by GM. In my opinion, cutting about 1/4 of the Bolt's features and replacing them with a better (power) driver's seat and stereo would make it more compelling and cost-effective to produce.
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Vehicle year: 2017
If you're someone who prefers flying over driving, why contribute to air pollution? I used to own a Spark EV and there were a few instances where we had to use our gas car because we were travelling beyond 84 miles in one trip. However, with the Bolt EV's impressive 238-mile range, we can easily drive to wherever we want to go without the need for a gas car. The best part? Virtually no maintenance required! In the 3 years that I owned the Spark EV, I only had to rotate the tires once. I expect the Bolt EV to be just as low-maintenance. The only downside to the LT Bolt EV is the narrow front seats. If you're on the heavier side, you may find the sides of the seats uncomfortable after sitting for a while.
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Vehicle year: 2020
A very practical and zero emissions car. Love it! It has plenty of cargo space and plenty of headroom.
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Vehicle year: 2017
I must say, my wife and I are really passionate about living a fossil carbon-free lifestyle, and the Bolt has brought us one step closer to achieving this goal. We are particularly impressed with how we can 'fuel' the Bolt from our home solar PV system. We took delivery of the Bolt on Feb 13, 2018, and it has been a reliable companion throughout the winter in north central Minnesota, even in temperatures as low as -14F and heavy snow. The Bolt's performance was excellent, and it continues to impress us even now, with over 3800 miles on the clock. Living in a rural area, we often have to make round trips to towns and small cities within a 150 mile range, and the Bolt has met this requirement with ease, even in the winter. We were hopeful that the Bolt would meet 100% of our local driving requirements, and it has exceeded our expectations. With the arrival of Spring, the Bolt has already provided a range well beyond its rated 238 miles, reaching close to 300 miles, which is fantastic. Admittedly, it took us some time to get used to the various push buttons and controls, such as the headlights, radio, heating/AC fan system, etc. Being Toyota owners since the early 1980s, we found that many of the controls were in different places. However, even at my mature age of 71, I have mastered the controls, and I now find them to be nearly intuitive. The only issue we have is with the cruise control, as I often have to look to find the button when engaging it initially or reengaging it. Nonetheless, the Bolt's acceleration from a stop is better than great, and acceleration to pass at highway speed is great. This car really goes!The Bolt is a fantastic car! The suspension provides a smooth ride with minimal sway on curves. The seats are comfortable, and the visibility is excellent. I especially appreciate the rearview camera screen and the blind spot alerts on the outside mirrors, which make me feel safe while driving. The headlights are the best I've ever had on a car. Overall, I have no complaints about the Bolt. I love driving it, and the fact that I don't have to worry about gas or oil changes is a huge plus. The only maintenance I've had to do so far is adding air to the tires and filling the washer tank. Although the tires are self-sealing, I did get a lug wrench and jack, with a donut tire I already had, to change a flat, just in case. I purchased a Level 2 - 240V/32A charger through the dealer, which I set to complete the charge by 4:00 am so that the Bolt is always ready for an early start day. I have used public DC fast chargers three times just to make sure I know how to use them, in the event the Bolt will take us on a longer journey. In short, I would definitely buy a Bolt again, unless the next Chevy EV, perhaps a Jolt, has a much longer range with towing capacity.
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Vehicle year: 2018
The range of the 2018 Bolt is excellent and it eliminates any range anxiety. I recently took a weekend trip to San Diego which was 178 miles down there and the battery indicator said I had 98 miles left. After a full charge the next day, I came home and still had 82 miles remaining after a much more uphill drive. My daily round trip to work is 108 miles and I get to charge on 110 while there. I have never used more than 12 kw in either direction. The technology is great and the car is quick, comfortable, stylish, and has a good quality build. Although the seats aren't the most comfortable I've sat in, they are nowhere near as bad as some naysayers suggest. The interior is very nice for a great commuter car. My car is loaded and is a blast to drive. It has so many driving features that make my long commute enjoyable. The biggest selling point for me was my excellent experience with my '13 Volt. This car is low cost to maintain.
Are you having problems with your Chevrolet Bolt ev?
Kennedy Heaney 2025-03-29
Vehicle year: 2018
I noticed some issues that other reviews did not address. In August 2018, GM installed a software update that reduced my consistent range from 235 miles to 185 miles. GM explained that the change was due to weather and my driving habits. I live in So Cal and experienced two months of warm weather, followed by a month of mild weather, and then a month of cooler weather. I understand that battery conditioning for extreme temperatures can affect mileage, and I waited through seasonal changes to see if there was an effect. However, my range has not returned to the 235+ miles I had before the update. During my second trip to the dealership, the range dropped even further below 185 miles. I am considering legal action as GM has not addressed my complaint. Additionally, software updates are pushed to the car while driving, which can cause the backup camera, entertainment, and navigation functions to stop working for up to 10 minutes. For a car that costs $37K, the interior of the Bolt is not up to par with a $25K car. The hard plastics, hard seats, low-fidelity stereo, low-resolution backup camera, and flimsy rear cargo cover are disappointing. The panel fit is also not great. I was told that my Bolt was one of the first 500 production models, and it shows. I had previously leased a BMW i3, which was not without fault, but it never failed to deliver the range I expected, regardless of the weather or my driving habits. I purchased the Bolt because it had a 235-mile range that I enjoyed for 1.5 years before GM's software update reduced it by 50 miles. Unfortunately, this has significantly affected my perception of the car and GM.
Jay Nolan 2025-03-20
Vehicle year: 2022
I purchased the Bolt Premium in the spring and initially enjoyed it. However, during the first heatwave, I found that the lack of roof insulation made it necessary to use the AC, which drained the battery and reduced the range. Additionally, the seats became uncomfortable on long drives and the battery had issues that required updated software and eventually a replacement. Unfortunately, GM did not cover all costs for a rental during the battery replacement process. Despite my desire to like this car, the negative experiences outweighed the positives and I ultimately sold it to Carmax after only two years. It's worth noting that the run flat tires were uncomfortable and there was no spare tire, which is a common issue with EVs. Overall, my experience with this GM vehicle was disappointing and I would not recommend it.
Ervin Tillman 2025-03-06
Vehicle year: 2017
I sold this car because the seats were cramped and uncomfortable. Although the resale value was abysmal, I was glad to be rid of it. However, upon reflection, I found that this car was lackluster in every way. The seats were bad, the big screen was only made useful thanks to Android Auto, and the built-in functionality was marginal at best. Additionally, there was no value for the money. The premier edition is a 42K car, but you can get a RWD Tesla Model 3 for $44k. I actually got an AWD Model 3 and it's like comparing a hot dog to a steak. Even the mid-range RWD Model 3 has more range and better acceleration, with the same interior as my AWD (full glass roof, power seats, actual padding in the seats, soft touch surfaces, a vastly superior sound system, and a much better integrated screen with functional UI). This blows away the hard touch plastic nightmare that was the Bolt. I highly recommend buying the Tesla 3 with confidence and avoiding the Bolt at all costs.
Savion Feest 2025-01-19
Vehicle year: 2018
I sold this car because the seats were cramped and uncomfortable. Although the resale value was abysmal, I was glad to be rid of it. However, upon reflection, I found that this car was lackluster in every way. The seats were bad, the big screen was only made useful thanks to Android Auto, and the built-in functionality was marginal at best. Additionally, there was no value for the money. The premier edition is a 42K car, but you can get a RWD Tesla Model 3 for $44k. I actually got an AWD Model 3 and it's like comparing a hot dog to a steak. Even the mid-range RWD Model 3 has more range and better acceleration, with the same interior as my AWD (full glass roof, power seats, actual padding in the seats, soft touch surfaces, a vastly superior sound system, and a much better integrated screen with functional UI). This blows away the hard touch plastic nightmare that was the Bolt. I highly recommend buying the Tesla 3 with confidence and avoiding the Bolt at all costs.
Clyde Wunsch 2024-11-23
Vehicle year: 2019
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share my thoughts on the vehicle I test drove recently. While it did not make it to the top of my list, I did find some positive aspects to it. However, I did find the seats to be quite uncomfortable and the ride over bumps to be a bit jarring. If you are in the market for an EV, I would highly recommend test driving the E-golf or Nissan Leaf as I found them to be better driving options. Additionally, I found the technology in the car to be less than desirable. That being said, if you are on a budget, this car may still be a good option for you. Thank you for considering my thoughts on this matter.