Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV has notable issues, particularly with its electrical system and propulsion battery, which have led to significant recalls. Additionally, consumer complaints highlight frequent concerns with steering and electrical components. While the recall campaigns address major concerns, potential buyers should be vigilant during inspection and test drives due to the moderate amount of complaints and faults in key vehicle areas.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 326 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #23V845000 Fire Risk after Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V930000 Fire Risk after Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V560000 High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V701000 High Voltage Battery May Catch Fire NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 112 complaints
- Electrical System 111 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 68 complaints
- Unknown or Other 32 complaints
- Power Train 23 complaints
- Service Brakes 19 complaints
Of the 326 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 326 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Battery may catch fire
How to check: Verify recall repair completion for battery fire risk.
Frequent steering complaints
How to check: Check for steering responsiveness and unusual noise.
Fire risk after crash
How to check: Confirm recall repair for carpet igniting post-crash.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Observe for any unusual warning lights or errors.
Red flag: Persistent warning lights
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Listen for any unusual noises from the engine bay.
Red flag: Loud, unexplained noises
- 03
Initial acceleration
What to check: Assess acceleration smoothness and power delivery.
Red flag: Hesitation or jolting when accelerating
- 04
Steering maneuvers
What to check: Check for smooth and precise steering response.
Red flag: Steering feels loose or unresponsive
- 05
Braking test
What to check: Feel for smooth braking without vibrations.
Red flag: Pedal vibration or uneven braking
- 06
Highway acceleration
What to check: Test power delivery at higher speeds for consistency.
Red flag: Lack of power or excess noise
- 07
Parking maneuvers
What to check: Listen for unusual noises during tight turns.
Red flag: Clunking or grinding sounds
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Have all recall repairs been completed?
- Has the battery been checked recently?
- Any steering or alignment issues noted?
- Has the vehicle been in any accidents?
- Any noticeable maintenance issues recently?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Battery health report
- Complete service history
- Title for accident history
- Steering and alignment records
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.