2017 Chevrolet Bolt Safety Report

2017 Chevrolet Bolt plagued by widespread steering defect and unaddressed electrical issues, lacking formal safety ratings.

317Complaints
0Recalls
35/100Reliability Score
9Crash Reports
5Fire Reports
4Injuries
Most reported components: Steering (97)Electrical System (57)Fuel/Propulsion System (29)Service Brakes (14)Unknown Or Other (14)Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System (12)Visibility/Wiper (10)Power Train,Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System (8)Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (7)Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System (5)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt exhibits a concerning safety profile, primarily dominated by a widespread steering system defect. With 317 total complaints, the STEERING component alone accounts for 97 reports, representing approximately 30.6% of all issues. The most frequently described problem is the steering wheel failing to return to center, often accompanied by stiffness or binding, which drivers report as a significant safety hazard requiring constant manual correction and increasing the risk of overcorrection or unintended lane departure. Several complaints explicitly mention near-accidents due to this issue. Despite the high volume of steering complaints and their safety implications, there are no recalls issued for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, which is a critical gap in addressing this known defect. Beyond steering, the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the second most common complaint, with 57 reports. While specific patterns are less clear than with steering, some complaints mention propulsion power reduction and sudden stops, which are severe safety concerns. The FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM also has 29 complaints, sometimes in conjunction with the electrical system, indicating potential issues with the vehicle's electric powertrain. The vehicle has been involved in 9 reported crashes, 5 fires, and 4 injuries, underscoring the real-world impact of these malfunctions. NHTSA has not provided overall, frontal, side, or rollover safety ratings for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, making it difficult to assess its crashworthiness performance. However, the high number of complaints, particularly regarding the steering system's failure to operate as intended, suggests a significant safety concern that is not reflected in formal recall actions or crash test data. The absence of recalls for the prevalent steering issue is particularly alarming given the consistent and severe nature of the reported defect.

Reliability Score

The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt receives a reliability score of 35 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.

Known Issues for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Steering Wheel Fails To Return To Center / Stiff Steering
The steering wheel does not return to center after turns, requiring manual correction. Drivers report stiffness, binding, and increased effort to steer, leading to potential overcorrection and safety hazards. Often attributed to faulty steering rack/pinion.		 High Common 60000-90000 miles
Propulsion Power Reduced / Sudden Stops
Vehicle abruptly slows or stops without warning, displaying 'propulsion power is reduced' message. This is a critical safety concern, especially in traffic.		 High Occasional unknown miles
Battery Relay Melting / Transmission Damage
Report of battery relay melting, causing damage to the transmission and potential fire risk. This points to severe electrical system failure.		 High Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt:

Steering 30% of complaints

The most prevalent issue, with 97 complaints, is the steering wheel failing to return to center, often accompanied by stiffness or binding, requiring manual correction and posing a significant safety risk.

Electrical System 18% of complaints

With 57 complaints, issues range from propulsion power reduction and sudden stops to battery-related failures, indicating potential severe electrical malfunctions.

Fuel/Propulsion System 9% of complaints

29 complaints relate to the propulsion system, sometimes in conjunction with electrical issues, suggesting problems with the vehicle's electric drive components.

Service Brakes 4% of complaints

14 complaints regarding the service brakes, though specific patterns are not detailed in the provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt has significant safety concerns, primarily due to a widespread and unaddressed steering defect (97 complaints) where the steering wheel fails to return to center. There are also 57 electrical system complaints, some involving sudden power loss. The vehicle has 9 reported crashes, 5 fires, and 4 injuries. NHTSA has not provided formal crash test ratings for this model.

What are common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt?

The most reported issues for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt are related to the STEERING system (97 complaints), specifically the steering wheel not returning to center and feeling stiff. The ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (57 complaints) is the second most common, with reports of propulsion power reduction and sudden stops. The FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (29 complaints) also shows a notable number of issues.

Are there any recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt?

According to the provided data, there are no recalls issued for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, despite a high volume of safety-critical complaints, particularly concerning the steering system.

How does the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt perform in crash tests?

NHTSA has not provided overall, frontal, side, or rollover safety ratings for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, so its crash test performance cannot be assessed based on this data.

What is the severity of the steering issue in the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt?

The steering issue, where the wheel fails to return to center and feels stiff, is considered high severity. Drivers report it as a dangerous condition that requires constant manual correction, increasing the risk of overcorrection, unintended lane departure, and near-accidents, as detailed in multiple complaints.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the high volume of unaddressed steering complaints and significant electrical system issues, exercise extreme caution. A pre-purchase inspection by a specialist, with a focus on the steering rack and electrical system, is highly recommended.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Chevrolet Bolt

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt. The data includes 317 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 9 reported crashes, 5 fire incidents, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.