AI Damage2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV filed 45 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and lane departure. The maker issued 704 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 45
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 704
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 93% of all complaints
- 2 Lane departure 4% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 2% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 2% of all complaints
- Steering: 42 complaints (93% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Lane departure: 2 complaints (4% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Suspension: 1 complaints (2% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Forward collision avoidance: 1 complaints (2% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric
- automatic, 1-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 45 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 42 | 0 | 14 |
| Lane departure | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 15 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 300 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 216 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 42 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 30 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 21 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The steering wheel does not return to center after turning and vibrates or wobbles while driving, which may impair steering control and makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. The problem was diagnosed and confirmed by a certified automotive repair shop. No warning lights or messages appeared.
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.
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.
When driving down the road with no other vehicles around the blind spot warning light On the passenger side mirror will illuminate and turn off and on several times with no vehicles around. Which inadvertently triggers the forward collision system and locks up the brakes on the car.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 918 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 44% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Bolt EV has 66 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 45, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Lane departure. Windshield camera: calibration after windshield replacement.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- Certain vehicles may have been sold with a GM NACS Level 2 EV charging adapter (NACS to J1772) in which a…
Certain vehicles may have been sold with a GM NACS Level 2 EV charging adapter (NACS to J1772) in which a quality issue was identified. Dealers are to provide the customer with the latest design charging adapter.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- This service bulletin provides dealers with Warranty Administration information on North American Charging…
This service bulletin provides dealers with Warranty Administration information on North American Charging Standard (NACS) DC Adapter Warranty Claim Information.
- This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and…
This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- This engineering information (EI) will assist GM to recover a small number of electric vehicle battery…
This engineering information (EI) will assist GM to recover a small number of electric vehicle battery packs from customer-owned vehicles in the field for further engineering study and analysis.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
NHTSA lists 704 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, lane departure, suspension. Total complaints: 45. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (9%), steering or power steering problems (7%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
NHTSA lists 704 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.