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).
While slowing to a stop, the vehicle suddenly experienced multiple (3-4) violent jerks. The vehicle fought against my firm brake pedal application, overpowered the brakes, and accelerated uncontrollably, resulting in a crash. During the impact: The driver frontal airbag and pretensioners deployed. The driver seatbelt unlatched mid-impact and then locked/retracted in a way that prevented it from latching again, even while I was sitting in the driver's seat post-crash. I have only been provided with the limited Airbag Control Module (SDM) data, which shows the brake switch as "Off" and low accelerator pedal readings. This data does not match the events I experienced. I have formally requested full downloads from all other modules (Powertrain/PCM, ABS/EBCM, BCM, etc.) from both the insurance company (ESIS) and GM, but they have only provided the single SDM report. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle suddenly lunged forward. The contact pumped the brake pedal several times, but the vehicle continued to drive forward. The contact was able to avoid crashing into an apartment building. The vehicle went airborne for 30 feet and landed on the street causing the tires to blowout, and two of the rims to be cracked. The contact's wife suffered a head injury and sought medical attention. No police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the case would be escalated. The failure mileage was 72,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV. The contact stated that the propulsion system warning light illuminated. While the contact was driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and stopped inadvertently. The contact was able to get the vehicle safely to her residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission harness failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.
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. …
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. …
While at a remote location, I unlocked and entered the vehicle normally. When I tried to start the vehicle, numerous unrelated error messages appeared on-screen. The instrument panel was energized, but the vehicle could only shift into neutral and park. Power steering was lost, as was window functionality. The vehicle could not be fully started, nor could not it be fully shut off either. It was stuck in a peculiar, unsafe, and unresolvable state of energized limbo. AAA towed the car to Watson Chevrolet who determined that the 12v system (vs propulsion) battery malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. There is no information in the owner's manual about this issue. The tow truck mechanic had no clue what was wrong. Fortunately, we were in a safe location. But under different circumstances, such as being roadside, this could have been a very unsafe situation. This is the original battery. …
I started losing Regen braking intermittently, when this happens the brakes themselves don't work well and there's no warning, you lift of the pedal expecting the car to stop and its rolling freely, to push brake and its not stopping like you expect, then it thuds and lunges forward a bit and stops. It was rarely happening, now the car can barely be driven. I have not got it into a shop yet. It throws DTC P182B, P182D, P1840, and U0401 every time. Clearing them, even while still moving brings it all back to normal, except an image of my previous drive will be frozen on infotainment that I have to hard reset to get it to work. Also backup camera does now work when these codes are active. I have found 1 person online that is having this exact issue. It's terrifying to approach a stop light and used to 1 pedal driving and I'm rolling freely instead. …
The check engine light came on in my vehicle and limited the speed at which I could drive resulting in the car dealership is refusing to honor the warranty on my vehicle. The manual and all information from General Motors explicitly states the components which are covered under warranty. There is a NHTSA service bulletin regarding this exact problem (NHTSA 18-NA-064) along with the labor code for doing repairs under warranty. The warranty is for the first 100,000 miles or 8 years (2025), my vehicle currently has 49906 miles. The reason I was given is that software is not usually covered under warranty but there is no documentation stating that is the case. I was told that this vehicle may have this problem just due to operating it and there is no recourse for me other than to pay to have it fixed. If this is true the vehicle is unsafe to be driven in traffic.
I had my Chevy dealer install the second software update and return my battery charging to 100%. There are now two reports of Bolt EV erupting in flame within a couple weeks of each other and both vehicles had the recommended second software installed. I'm reporting that the fix GM has come up with does not work and does not prevent the initial problem of battery fires when vehicle is left unattended. My safety and the safety of my family or other passengers are at risk of a fire starting for no reason and there's no solution offered by GM for this issue. Neighbors are put at risk just by the presence of this vehicle in my driveway. The general public at large are also put at risk if I was to leave the car in a public parking structure like an airport or downtown parking. Waiting on the NHTSA to do something about this to protect the safety of the public.
I've had to deal with the high voltage battery fire recalls multiple times on my vehicle. I rely on this beautiful to drive everywhere with my family and I don't feel confident in the safety of this vehicle anymore. The only way I will feel confident in the safety of this vehicle is if the entire battery pack is replaced, not individual modules. The other more sensible and cost efficient thing to do would be to buy back the effect of vehicles and replace them with 2021 and 2022 models. GM has done this for some customers that were lucky, but it's been proven that this is indeed more cost efficient than trying to figure out logistics and training for employees, to troubleshoot and debug individual modules. Please strongly consider this. Thank you!
Transmission complaints in other Bolt EV years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 8% of the model year's 349 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles, and 57% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.