2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 350 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 225miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the seats of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 1% of the 350 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 225 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The seats are uncomfortable to the point where it hurts my rear end and lower back. Albeit my personal opinion, it seems the padding is inadequate. Furthermore, the back of the seat appears to have a gap in it so everytime you lean back, the seat clicks. This isn't a defect but rather a poorly designed seat. The seat issue will pass any test drive because the test drive is so short. I've never owned a car with seats like this, used or new and chevy should issue a recall for the seats.”
NHTSA complaint #11032123, filed 2017-10, 400 miles“After driving the bolt for one hour I discovered that hard plastic pieces of the seat could be felt through the bottom cushion causing severe leg pain and numbness. The pain took 3 days to go away. The short duration of the test drive was not enough time to feel this pain. After talking to hundreds of people in various online forums I've discovered this is a very common issue with the bolt. Apparently in a certain percentage of bolts (~%25) there is insufficient padding applied to the seat. …”
NHTSA complaint #11030133, filed 2017-09, 50 miles“2017 bolt EV was parked nose into garage plugged into wall charger charging unattended with my phone set to alert me when estimated to be fully charged. When I came out of the house to unplug charger there was fire visible under back seat in passenger compartment of vehicle. Called 911 and by the time police and fire responded within a few minutes entire battery under vehicle engulfed car in flames causing garage fire which destroyed garage and all it contents.just learned from carfax that GM issued recall november 15 for potential battery fires when at or near full charge.”
NHTSA complaint #11374956, filed 2020-11, 25,000 miles“The seats are horribly shaped and far too narrow in the posterior/buttock/thick area. The ribs along the sides of the seats press into the backs of my legs (I am 5'8, 160lbs and 35 years old) to the point where I get bruises after driving the car for 5 minutes. They are just designed extremely poorly. Furthermore, exiting the vehicle requires me to place my entire body weight on a thin piece of plastic along the side of the seat while sliding off if it, further giving me bruises. …”
NHTSA complaint #11051339, filed 2017-11Related service bulletins
- 11006317Aug 13, 2024This Preliminary information communicates assistance in locating the Rear seat belt comfort guides in the parts catalog.
- 11000158May 1, 2024This service bulletin includes information on Interior Cleaning - Instrument Panel (IP), Hard or Plastic Surfaces, Seats, Carpet, Leather, Vinyl, Fabric Cleaner, Stain Remover…
Seats: other model years
Other parts of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV
125 complaintsElectrical system
114 complaintsFuel system
70 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsLane departure
6 complaintsWheels
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology