2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 70owner reports
- 25,000median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Dec 26, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
114 of the 348 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 70 of those describe dead battery, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 Bolt EV.
Tick what matches of 70 reports
Dead battery on other Bolt EV years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (70 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
All 4 recalls on the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Bolt EV
Electrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing enel x way usa, llc's juicebox residential charger.. Closed jun 5, 2025.
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Electric vehicle battery fires. Closed feb 7, 2022, led to recall 20V-701.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 8,000 and 62,500 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 18 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
Certain vehicles may have a condition in which fasteners used to secure an external connector to the high voltage battery pack may not have been torqued to specification. Dealers will secure all suspect connections to the appropriate torque specification.
This Preliminary information communicates to the dealers on the process to be able to order a replacement High Voltage battery pack for a vehicle that has a High Voltage battery battery concern and is not on the current open recall list.
This bulletin provides information on conditions that may cause EV Range Loss and for dealers/technicians to determine/differentiate items which require battery repair versus which items are normal for the vehicle.
14 more on the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV page.
What owners wrote
“Battery recalled, but parts not yet available. I am concerned for the safety of my family and others that may be nearby my vehicle in the event a fire erupts. My understanding is that at least 16 fires have been confirmed due to this issue. Other than the pending recall, my vehicle is up-to-date on all other maintenance/recalls.”
Filed Jul 30, 2021
“There is a recall on our 2017 Bolt due to battery fires.. we are very concerned that our car will catch fire⦠we just purchased this used car”
Filed Jul 29, 2021
“My high voltage battery is likely to catch fire some time after charging the vehicle. Chevy has told me not to use my full battery as they advertised and I cannot park my vehicle in my garage. This is unacceptable and I am not able to use the car as originally advertised.”
Filed Jul 29, 2021
“The battery has the potential to catch fire while it is charged or parked. The given precautions provided by GM makes the car unreliable and unusable. The battery and the vehicle is on usable due to its limitations based on charging. GM has no remedy for this vehicle.”
Filed Jul 28, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 70 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 39 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 30 reports