Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt which is part of the recall announced today by GM. This is the second recall in less than a year for the same battery-related issue. It was supposed to have been fixed with a software update that I had completed in June. This software was supposed to identify defective batteries but it has not been successful as evidenced by the mounting number of fires that have happened after the "fix". As such, we are now under a recall a second time. As a result of their own manufacturing issue, we are now limited to how we charge our vehicles, where we park and even the mileage range that we paid for, while GM attempts another fix. GM stated today that they will again be using software to identify defective cells in our batteries and only the ones that are deternined to be defective will have those cells or battery packs replaced. …
I own a 2017 Chevy bolt and the batteries are catching fire on a high state of charge which should not happen. Chevy offered a final "software fix" before which was supposed to fix the issue and prevent the batteries from overcharging and catching fire. The software update/diagnostic was also supposed to be able to tell Chevy which battery cells had problems. THIS DID NOT WORK. Chevy bolts continued to catch fire after this software fix . Well the new issue is that Chevy now has a new recall for the bolt to replace the problem battery cells in the pack. The problem is they could NOT identify which were the problem cells before with their software fix. And they're going to use software diagnostics again to try and isolate the problem cells and replace those. They have already proven their software does NOT work to diagnose problem cells in the battery pack. …
This car worked reliably until the battery recall battery was exchanged then this started happening about a month later. First the vehicle died upon slowing down, driver was exiting a highway ramp stopped the car and turned off the car and turned on again and drove home without further trouble. Happened again, same thing this was at night. Then myself as driver, Took car to dealership, stayed in right lane on highway then car failed to accelerate but maintained about 40mph then died as slowing down on exit. After much time turning off and on again, the car finally allowed it to be put in drive and I made it to the dealership. After a week the dealership couldn't find anything wrong with the car and said no charge but they can't diagnose. Driving the car again, it drove fine until it didn't. This time died and wouldn't allow it to be put into drive again. …
Vehicle started to surge while driving (both small acceleration forward and large deceleration) without any change in brake or accelerator position. Eventually a "Propulsion Power Reduced" message was presented on the console followed immediately by no forward propulsion (accelerator completely unresponsive) and forced to coast to a stop on the side of the highway. Car refused to shift out of park or neutral following breakdown. Car taken to dealer to troubleshoot and was told that a P0A3F code was present and that the engine harness needed to be replaced in accordance with NHTSA bulletin 19-NA-220. This bulletin calls out that the harness was likely damaged during initial install at factory and the dealer representative confirmed that the pins were damaged as described. …
There is an existing recall on my 2017 Bolt EV and GM has not addressed the cause of the battery fires and has instead offered a software update. My car charges in the garage, the danger of battery fires is still present in the battery packs unless it is replaced with a newer type that does not have the original defect. I believe that NHTSA issued the recall to give an auto manufacturer time to rectify a safety defect but it looks like GM has issued a clever workaround to the initial defect of their battery packs by designing a software that will give an early warning of a possible fire. This is not acceptable for the simple reason that there's no guarantee a car owner will hear or see this warning if car is unattended in the garage in the middle of the night. …
There is an existing recall on my 2017 Bolt EV and GM has not addressed the cause of the battery fires and has instead offered a software that will provide advanced warning when a fire is imminent. Since most of the known fires started in the garage while parked the danger of battery fires is still present in the battery packs unless it is replaced with a newer type that does not have the original defect. I believe that NHTSA issued the recall to give an auto manufacturer a chance to rectify a safety defect but it looks like GM has issued a clever workaround to the initial defect of their battery packs by designing a software that will give an early warning of a possible fire. This is not acceptable for the simple reason that there's no guarantee a car owner will hear or see this warning if car is unattended in the garage in the middle of the night. …
I have a 2017 Bolt that is affected by the Bolt battery fire recall. I have patiently awaited for a real fix for this issue since November of 2017. I have lived in fear of this car burning up or my house burning up from this vehicle for 8 months. I need this vehicle it is my daily transportation. I paid more than $46,000 for this vehicle (including tax and registration). Now, Chevy has said I can't charge at night, I can't charge in my garage, and I can't use more than 60% (143 miles), they don't know the root cause of the fires, they don't have a fix, and they have not committed to changing our batteries. After all this, this car is unusable to me and I can't trust Chevy to detect the defect and apply a meaningful fix. I have applied for a buyback and was denied in June. I live in MN, where I am unaware of anyone that has had a successful buyback. …
The vehicle is under recall for main traction battery defects. There is no planned or expectable date for correction of the defect; parts are not available and cannot be made available in a reasonable amount of time. A GM spokesperson on 9/15/2021 stated to Bloomberg (afterward picked up by most news organizations) that Bolts should be parked at least 50' from other vehicles, and only on the top deck of parking structures, apparently to minimize collateral damage when the Bolt burns. This statement will lead to Bolt drivers being banned from parking facilities, and subjecting the owners to abuse by people who don't want them parked anywhere nearby. GM must expand the recall to simply buy back all Bolts immediately, paying approximately the original amount paid by owners with perhaps some allowance for miles actually driven, and and recover vehicles from all lessees. …
Bolt EV range is advertised as 248 miles. Due to GM's current limitations due to risk of battery fire, the vehicle has a 30% less range. Not only is this inconvenient, but there is no time estimate given for the current fix. Till then the vehicle remains a dangerous fire hazard which could burn the vehicle, occupant and surrounding buildings. GM has not given out any sort of over the air update in order to ensure that the battery charging guidelines given by them are followed. GM has also established a history now of refusing buybacks to those with affected vehicles. They are responsible for removing these vehicles off the road and providing loaner ones till the fix can be applied. They were not prompt in a final fix to the multiple vehicle fires that have occurred. …
After about 5 years and a warranty replacement battery, I intermittently find the "Propulsion Reduced-Service Soon" light on. It can appear any time after which only a third of the 60kWh battery is on-line, and in any event the battery will not charge over one third. Highway driving on a crowded Interstate 5 becomes very hairs as both acceleration and regeneration braking are markedly reduced. It is now at the service department of Bill Pierre Chevrolet in Seattle. Those guys are great, and are doing everything they can, looking to GM for a promised reprogram that has not been forthcoming for some two weeks and counting. This might seem like a minor consumer gripe, but it turns out that this is not a new condition, and has persisted since shortly after the 2017 Bolt came out. …
Fuel System complaints in other Bolt EV years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 20% of the model year's 349 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 63% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.