Chevy [Fire]Bolt

[AdrianC]

Any Bolt owners with thoughts on the latest news?

142,000 Bolts (all of them) have been recalled due to the possibility, however remote, of bursting into flames.

New batteries, or battery modules, for everyone, eventually, possibly.

Good news if you have a high mileage older Bolt. Not so good if you have a low mileage newer one.

Could be good to buy one used now and wait for GM to give you a brand new battery, with an 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty.

[AccidentialMustache]

We just bought an EV. The bolt was in the mix of contenders, but we decided against the it since they kept burning even post-recall-fix. The Mach-E also uses LG batteries though, so I'll be keeping an eye out. We don't drive a lot and I'd already set our max charge more conservatively than the recommended daily max (just to preserve battery life), so we're unlikely to be the first to find out we have an issue.

[leighb]

Just bought a 2021 Bolt EV in the Spring. I like it so far. It has really good range for the price and fits my larger dogs nicely. I've only charged it a hand full of times.

However, I didn't know that it had been recalled. Thanks MMM. I wonder what the process will look like.

[AdrianC]

This is an excellent summary of what we know so far:

https://www.reddit.com/r/BoltEV/comments/pa3q7a/firerecall_faqroundup_2/

I have 2021 Bolt. Great car.

[Sandi_k]

DH had a 2017 Bolt. He was able to get it bought back under the previous recall, and then transferred the pro-rated total of MSRP + TTL into the purchase of a new 2022 Bolt.

He just got the new recall notice.

I'm sure he plans to keep it; he loves the car, and its range. Definitely an upgrade from the 2017 MY.

[AccidentialMustache]

I assume you mean the 2017 Bolt not MY. I'm pretty sure the MY wasn't out in 2017. What's the big upgrades, out of curiosity. We sat in a 2019/earlier Bolt and it was ... fine but not amazing. I wanted to like it -- the size and shape are good, driving felt fine and had good visibility, but the interior layout (mostly around storage) needed tons of work. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the storage on the Fit.

[Paper Chaser]

I assume you mean the 2017 Bolt not MY. I'm pretty sure the MY wasn't out in 2017.

MY is a typical abbreviation for "Model Year" in automotive circles. It's a much more common usage than using it to abbreviate "Model Y"

[AdrianC]

We're trying to decide what to do. Pursue a buyback or wait it out? We loved the car. Now, not so much.

I expect we'll be stuck with the range limitation (60%) and parking outside for a long time, possibly years until GM get to replacing our battery modules with known good ones.
Not that we know ours are bad, no one knows.

[Sandi_k]

I assume you mean the 2017 Bolt not MY. I'm pretty sure the MY wasn't out in 2017.

MY is a typical abbreviation for "Model Year" in automotive circles. It's a much more common usage than using it to abbreviate "Model Y"

Correct. He had a 2017 model Bolt, and upgraded with the Lemon Law buyout to a 2022 model Bolt.

[PlanetDee]

I have a 2017 Bolt. It's been crazy trying to keep track of all the various recalls over the past year. Looking forward to having the new modules for increased range, but who knows how long it will take to get them all fixed.

[jrhampt]

Any updates on the Bolt situation?  Have all Bolt owners gotten new batteries since the recall?  Used cars in general and EVs have been through the roof lately and I’ve been wondering if maybe the Bolt could be a good deal right now due to the recalls.  My husband got a good deal on a used VW diesel after those were recalled, and I’m thinking maybe this is a similar opportunity.

[Paper Chaser]

I'd buy one if I were in the market. I think the sweet spot for value are the older cars. They originally came with 60kwh battery packs. The 2020 models got about 30 more miles of range thanks to different chemistry and larger capacity. All Bolts will get the newer, larger batteries in the recall, and they'll have fresh 8 yr/100k mile warranties for the batteries.
So I'd be looking for older cars that haven't had the recalls done yet. The age and limited range should keep prices down but after the recall, they'll essentially be the same as the newer Bolts.

[Sandi_k]

I'd buy one if I were in the market. I think the sweet spot for value are the older cars. They originally came with 60kwh battery packs. The 2020 models got about 30 more miles of range thanks to different chemistry and larger capacity. All Bolts will get the newer, larger batteries in the recall, and they'll have fresh 8 yr/100k mile warranties for the batteries.
So I'd be looking for older cars that haven't had the recalls done yet. The age and limited range should keep prices down but after the recall, they'll essentially be the same as the newer Bolts.

Not entirely true - the older cars still won't have adaptive cruise control, telescoping visors for the driver and passenger, and a few other options of a similar sort.

[Greystache]

I started a similar post in September of last year.  You might want to check out the replies
 https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/good-time-to-buy-a-used-chevy-bolt/msg2900513/#msg2900513

[jrhampt]

I started a similar post in September of last year.  You might want to check out the replies
 https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/good-time-to-buy-a-used-chevy-bolt/msg2900513/#msg2900513

Thanks!

[merlin7676]

I have a 2022 bolt. Bought it back in August.
Overall I am very pleased with it, it's comfortable, easy to drive, very spacious inside compared to what it looks like outside, and works great as a commuter car.

I did just get the new software update which does impact the range and I'm not happy about that but I know it's only a temporary measure.

The dealer said they are only replacing the 2017 and 2019 batteries now and will do the rest after. They are doing about 10 cars a week at mine. So it will probably be a year or so before they get around to replacing my batteries but then I will get new batteries for free out of it so it's worth the wait to me.

Other than the recall stuff, it's a very solid car and priced reasonably enough (compared to other EV cars) that makes it more affordable for people to get into the EV market. From my understanding, they aren't selling them anymore and the plant has closed until they address the recall issues so you'd have to buy a used one. 

[Bateaux]

The recall has pushed the prices higher.  No deals to be found.

[AdrianC]

I have a 2022 bolt. Bought it back in August.
Overall I am very pleased with it, it's comfortable, easy to drive, very spacious inside compared to what it looks like outside, and works great as a commuter car.

I did just get the new software update which does impact the range and I'm not happy about that but I know it's only a temporary measure.

We got the software update too. We didn't usually charge above 80% anyway, so it doesn't affect us much. Longer trips would be more difficult but we have an ICE van for that.

I suspect we're a year away from getting a new battery, by which time we'll have 30k miles on it. It's a great deal for us. We like the car a lot. Works great for around town.

This dealer has a ton of used Bolts:
https://www.donohoochevrolet.com/searchused.aspx?Make=Chevrolet&Model=Bolt%20EV

Most are GM buybacks and are waiting for a new battery. They do seem quite pricey to me. We paid <$25k for ours new last May.

If I wanted an EV and could wait, I'd see if the $30k Equinox EV materializes next year. Especially if tax credits get reinstated for GM. The battery tech should be better.

I believe our next purchase will be a replacement for the ICE van. Hoping Toyota gives the hybrid Sienna a bigger battery and makes it plug-in. A Sienna with a 50 miles or more electric range would be ideal.

[jrhampt]

I just found a 2017 Bolt near me with 22k miles on it, for 18k.  Seems like a reasonable deal compared to the others I've seen lately.