2017 CHEVROLET BOLT EV Complaints

Steering failing to return to center - Steering gear (rack and pinion) operating at greatly increased effort. Self- inspection performed, results are consistent with other drivers on a specialty internet forum reporting similar problems with replacement of the steering gear being the remedy. Inspection of failed part shows likely chemical degradation and failure of the factory installed lubricant.

Steering wheel fails to return to center and gets stuck in a curve position requiring manual effort to return the wheels straight causing the potential for an accident. It is periodically becoming harder to straighten.

The steering does not return to center after turning left or right. The steering sticks and you have to apply force to bring it back to center. This is very dangerous.

My driver's side seatbelt buckle will not latch onto the tongue. Sometimes I can get the buckle to latch onto the tongue by aggressively and repeatedly jamming the tongue into the buckle. Most of the time the tongue will not latch into the buckle. In the event of an accident, I'm concerned that the buckle will not hold due to this intermittent latching issue.

In Sept 2020, GM issued Service Bulletin 20-NA-170 regarding rapid popping or clicking noises coming from the I-Booster hardware under the hood in the BOLT braking system. Earlier fixes for this issue involved replacing the I-Booster hardware, but that didn't solve the problem. The new fix called for a software update to the Brake Booster Control Module. The Bulletin states: "Correction -- DO NOT replace the I-booster assembly. Update the Brake Booster Control Module with the latest software." What happens to the brake system if the software update is not applied? Does the I-Booster hardware eventually fail because of the 1000's of unnecessary use cycles, and then what happens? Why hasn't a recall been issued for this possible safety issue caused by a software defect?

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V560000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact stated that they were on a waitlist with the dealership but then suddenly taken off. The contact has been suggested to pay the shipping cost to send the vehicle outside of Alaska for repairs. The contact stated that they are still waiting for the recall repairs to be made and they have not heard back from GMC.

The steering wheel started feeling gritty and not returning to its central position. I was told this was an internal steering gear failure.

My steering wheel does not return to center after turning the wheel . It has almost caused several accidents. This is a safety issue and should be recalled . I can’t afford to replace the steering system. This should never happen on such a new car with 50k miles on it.

Steering wheel no longer returns to center. When I make a turn the steering wheel feels like it is binding and does not return to center without the drivers correction.

2017 CHEVROLET BOLT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALLS 20V-701 AND 21V-560.