What year did Chevy Bolt have battery problems?
The battery problems for the Chevy Bolt first surfaced in 2017, when GM issued a recall to address a fire risk in early model Bolts. The issue persisted across years, prompting additional recalls and battery-module replacements through the early 2020s.
Timeline of key actions
Here is a concise timeline of the major recalls and campaigns related to the Bolt's high-voltage battery.
- 2017: GM issued the first recall for the 2017–2019 Bolt EVs to fix a potential fire hazard in the lithium-ion battery modules manufactured for the cars.
- 2020: GM expanded the recall to cover more Bolt vehicles and began replacing defective battery modules at dealerships, aiming to mitigate fire risk across additional model years.
- 2021–2022: The company continued service campaigns and, where applicable, replaced battery modules and updated software for affected Bolt EVs and Bolts produced in the early 2020s.
These actions illustrate how the problem originated in 2017 and extended into the following years as GM sought to address safety concerns across multiple model years.
What this means for owners and the market
Owners of affected Bolts are encouraged to check with Chevrolet for recall statuses, verify VIN eligibility, and schedule service to replace battery modules if required. The recalls also influenced consumer perceptions of electric-vehicle safety and pushed automakers to adopt stricter battery manufacturing and quality controls.
Summary: The Chevy Bolt battery problem first became public in 2017 and prompted ongoing recalls and battery-module replacements through 2020 and beyond, affecting early Bolts and later models as GM worked to ensure safety and reliability.
