2023 Chevrolet Bolt Euv

On June 7, 2025 at 5:00pm while driving on the expressway, my car suddenly braked, jolted and skidded and I pulled over. My granddaughter was in the back seat and I thought either a tire blew or I got hit. I called my son and he did some research and found articles of this happening to Chevy Bolts euv's. They call it phantom braking. It happened 2 times before in the city and I thought I drove over something on the road. I took it into the dealer and they could not determine the problem. They said they opened a case with GM and gave me a Customer Concern Verification form to fill out if it happens again. They said if it happens again, then they will replace the forward collision module. I am terrified to drive on an expressway in fear this will happen again. I could have gotten hit if a car was too close behind me when my car broke suddenly. I nervously drive home after this event, while my son stayed on the phone with me.

Steering wheel will not return to center after making turns in any direction. Steering has gradually stiffened, but is immediately noticeable. This car is driven daily by my spouse. Our child with his new learner's permit noted how he had to turn the wheel back and it didn't happen automatically like the car he took driving lessons in. I drove the car and it was plainly obvious that the steering wheel was stiff and nearly frozen. Car has 42,000 miles and is no longer covered by GM's warranty. I am bringing it to an independent mechanic for repair, immediately.

While car was on a warning popped up saying "Service Transmission" and then another warning popped up saying "Propulsion Power is Reduced". This then limited the speed of the car and the acceleration significantly making it extremely unsafe to drive. Thankfully I was not on the interstate, but I certainly would have been hit if I was. This car is less than 2 years old, has under 10,000 miles, and his had all recommended maintenance done.

This model has a dangerous driving problem that is difficult to reproduce; however, it points to a flaw in a coupled design that causes simple infotainment system failures to negatively impact both on-star help system and critical driving system. This problem recurred on [XXX] in suburban area of Buena Park CA; previous occurrence in 2024 had purported possible resolution through software download. It begins with simple problem of inability to change FM channel; checking other controls on infotainment screen showed all displays responding correctly, including commands to change station; yet it does not. Only after car has been parked and EV motor turned off for awhile, did this problem reset. This is an indication that previous problem remains unresolved. Previously, on an isolated section of AZ highway without cell service, what began with radio control malfunction ended with this model turning off all speakers and all displays. Once speakers were turned off, on-star interaction can not be heard in the car. I expected separate speakers for on-star emergencies; however, to my surprise it seems to be routed through or related to infotainment system. Then possible stops and attempts to reset the infotainment system through turning off the car, caused all lights to go off on the dash. I had to drive many miles through isolated desert and mountains to reach a safe offramp with no instrumentation. This makes suspect what else could go wrong when in isolated regions. So far the danger seems to be related to driving in no cell service area; however, without further investigation, this design of coupling infotainment system with both critical driving and emergency systems makes this model unreliable and dangerous to everyone in this car. Please investigate and decouple these systems. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Software in the EV system created to protect the battery pack has instead placed my life in jeopardy in response to known false sensor event. During 110 degree heat in isolated desert in southern California, the software detected a false error in high voltage comparisons between battery banks. In response, it disabled climate control, reduced propulsion, and placed an upper limit of 40% on battery recharge system. Without any warning nor noticeable malfunction during the drive out to the desert truck stop, 1 hour of fast charging at 50 kWH resulted in the charger being turned off by the car after reaching only 40%. With no info, I just assumed that this was a failure of the charger; however, I had used this specific charger 1 month prior without any problems. Only after I left this truck stop and headed to the next electric charger, some 50 miles away, did I notice the lack of A/C and warnings on the dash. At this time I called Chevrolet Roadside Service(CRS) and received advice to proceed to the charger then if charging attempt fails, call them back. I drove in 118 degree with open windows behind the slowest moving semi I could find. Within minutes my connected phone for map guidance, started overheating from both the environment and the car charging my phone. I realized I could die out here without car nor phone. Upon arrival, my attempts produced only 4 kWH charging speed at a 50 kWH station. After many false guidances and about 6 calls to CRS and 1 day, I was able to get my car towed to nearby Chevrolet dealer who was too busy to look at the car for 2-3 days. Next day I picked up my car and drove in 102 degree heat to where I purchased this car 2 years ago. 2 days later I picked it up; a known problem solved by a software download fixed it.

While slowing down to park, just before stopping, my husband took his foot off the pedal and the car accelerated. This happened twice in the past week. He had the “break assist” feature engaged, which automatically breaks the car when you remove your foot from the accelerator. The car should have slowed then stopped but it accelerated. He did not touch the accelerator. I have not yet contacted the dealer, but see numerous complaints like this in chat forums online. No warning lights came on either.

Automatic braking system works when unnecessary. No one and nothing in front of car when driving and auto braking stops vehicle. Multiple incidents. My children and I suffered seatbelt, neck, and back pain when stopped without warning. Also, scared. No, problem cannot be reproduced. No, vehicle has not been inspected. No prior warning before incident.

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, the vehicle had experienced several battery drainage failures, and the battery was drained within 2 to 3 days of being parked. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally the service engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there no fault was found with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.