The Lemon Index2017 Chevrolet Bolt.
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 64 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 254, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, and it has 4 recalls. It's the best Chevrolet Bolt year we track.
Lemon alert. 2.5× the average car's complaints.
Worst year 2020
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 349 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Bolt year. 2017 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 40K miles on the car (81 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 11K–52K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 11K–32K miles
Recalls 4
- body structure 2023
This recall includes certain vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930.
- body structure 2022
After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire.
- electrical 2021
The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Show all 4 recalls
- electrical 2020
The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedElectric vehicle battery fires2020–2022
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Bolt 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $650 a year in electricity (EPA estimate).
In owners' words
While slowing to make a stop at an intersection, the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration and would not stop. The car struck the vehicle in front of it a couple of times and continued to accelerate.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt owner · NHTSA complaint 11282618
More owner reports
Got the message: propulsion power is reduced I could start the car but not shift gear. Got the error "cannot shift gear conditions not right
NHTSA complaint 11282342
Driving at 65 mph with 100+ mile range, car had a sudden and complete lack of propulsion. Electronics in the car continued to work, but absolutely no propulsion. Could shift car to neutral. Car eventually towed to dealer.
NHTSA complaint 11127952
Quick answers
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.5× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 254; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2017 Chevrolet Bolt problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (33%), fuel or ev drive system (28%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt have?
4 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Bolt problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,800 and 40,500 miles. The middle report was at 20,000 miles, from 81 complaints.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt cost in fuel a year?
About $650 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works