Home · 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV · Complaints

What 316 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (316)Crash / fire / injury (16)Electrical system (111)Steering (106)Fuel system (68)Transmission & drivetrain (23)Brakes (19)Engine (14)Visibility & wipers (10)Speed control (8)Suspension (7)Seats (5)

7 of 316 complaints match · Suspension · clear filters

Apr 11, 2025SteeringSuspension

Car is not returning to center on turns without significant effort by driver. This has almost caused multiple accidents. This is a common problem and should be a recall

NHTSA ODI 11654097

Oct 30, 2024SteeringSuspensionWheels

Steering not returning to center, when making a turn across the street you have to quickly center the vehicle to prevent going into on coming traffic. Very stiff to turn and make popping sounds when turning.

NHTSA ODI 11622733

Sep 13, 2023SteeringSuspension

Popping noise during turning at low speed and steering wheel does not return to center coming out of a turn.

NHTSA ODI 11544400

Mar 5, 2022SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainWheels

Creaking/popping noise from passenger rear side of vehicle at 24,574 miles along with a grinding noise coming from the front driver side wheel. Took to dealership twice and was told there is not a rear axle just independent struts and shocks. Very concerning and not sure if a wheel is gonna fall off. I've seen other forums that have been having the same issue between the years 2017-2019. Please recall and fix because consumers shouldn't shell out more money for cheap parts.

NHTSA ODI 11455342

Jul 15, 2021SteeringSuspension

Steering wheel does not return easily to stationary position after being turned. As a result, wheel must be manually turned in order to straighten steering. This can be particularly cumbersome when in a deep curve or while maneuvering around parking lots, U-turn, etc.

NHTSA ODI 11424896

May 28, 2021SteeringSuspension

Sway bar components and steering making noises and excessive movement. These issues were noticeable just after 3yr 36k limited warranty had expired (approx 23k miles on vehicle). Items later found to be faulty by dealership, GM gave significant pushback and offered limited assistance with repairs and claims the treat items on case by case basis. I have read multiple reports of these repairs being performed under warranty and with a few customers out of warranty with similar symptoms. It’s time to investigate Sway Bar and Steering turn signal switch and related component issues in Bolt EV 2017-19, possibly later and require GM to issue a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11418839

Mar 6, 2021SteeringSuspensionElectrical system

REAR BACKUP CAMERA DISPLAY FREEZES AFTER PLACING VEHICLE IN DRIVE WHICH MAY BECOME DISTRACTION AND CREATE UNSAFE SITUATION FOR DRIVER WHILE MANEUVERING IN PARKING LOT OR ON ROADWAY WHILE OPERATING AT HIGHER SPEEDS ' CAN BE REMEDIED BY MANUALLY RESTARTING INFORTAINMENT SYSTEM/POWERING OFF/RESTARTING VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN SYSTEM UNFREEZE FOR RESTART AUTOMATICALLY WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION WHICH MAY CAUSE DISTRACTION TO DRIVER AND INABILITY TO ADJUST CERTAIN FEATURES OF CLIMATE CONTROLS. TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER TO HEATING UNIT OR INABILITY TO REGISTER CHANGE IN FAN SPEED (OCCURANCE ONCE). STEERING FEELS LOOSE WHEN INITIALLY MOVING STEERING WHEEL AND COMPONENT(S) MAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL (RESISTANT ISSUE). SUSPENSION MAKES LOUD CREAKING NOISE(S) WHEN OPERATING ON UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES OR STEEP INCLINE/DECLINE. STEERING/SUSPENSION HAVE BEEN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2020 ' WILL HAVE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSE AT POSSIBLE OWNERS EXPENSE. DATE OF STEERING ISSUE WILL BE UTILIZED FOR SECTION BELOW.

NHTSA ODI 11399523

Working with the data? Download all 316 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 13, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV verdict →