Let’s hear from other Bolt owners. It is hard to get data if swept under the rug or never reported. But the brakes have been mentioned as an issue.
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Brakes - cure for brakes getting rusty and pitted
I had to replace my brake rotors and pads twice by 42,000 miles. About every 20,000 miles due to rust and uneven wear. The problem was I did not use the brakes! Always used regeneration braking. After the second expensive brake job, i started to put the car in neutral going down a good hill, and used the brakes to slow me down. With the car in neutral, it ensured that the brakes were being used to slow the car. My last visit to the dealer for a tire rotation, i asked that they check and clean around calipers. The service tech came out and said the brakes were great and clean, what are you doing to keep the brakes in good shape. I told him about using neutral on a hill occasionally, and the actual brakes used. Keep it up, it works, your brakes look great.
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We have. I have been here 2 years. This is not new and not only an issue on Bolts. Brake corrosion is a KNOWN issue on all cars that are in rust belt states, especially those with low usage. Do a forum search and you can see what other Bolt owners have said.
We also have a 2013 Volt with over 90k miles and the brakes look and work as new. It also spent all its life in TX and OK. I gave back my 2020 Bolt with 17k miles and the brakes also looked new. I also keep my cars in a garage and if they are driven in ice and snow I do a full rinse of the chassis or get a car wash as soon as possible.
Again, what do you want GM to do? You said you wanted to sue, so what is your remedy?
We also have a 2013 Volt with over 90k miles and the brakes look and work as new. It also spent all its life in TX and OK. I gave back my 2020 Bolt with 17k miles and the brakes also looked new. I also keep my cars in a garage and if they are driven in ice and snow I do a full rinse of the chassis or get a car wash as soon as possible.
Again, what do you want GM to do? You said you wanted to sue, so what is your remedy?
Just find a good location away from traffic build up some speed and stomp the brake pedal once a week. Even in an empty parking lot will work.
It’s not rocket science to keep your rotors cleaned off. So easy a cave man can do it.
It’s not rocket science to keep your rotors cleaned off. So easy a cave man can do it.
IWe have. I have been here 2 years. This is not new and not only an issue on Bolts. Brake corrosion is a KNOWN issue on all cars that are in rust belt states, especially those with low usage. Do a forum search and you can see what other Bolt owners have said.
We also have a 2013 Volt with over 90k miles and the brakes look and work as new. It also spent all its life in TX and OK. I gave back my 2020 Bolt with 17k miles and the brakes also looked new. I also keep my cars in a garage and if they are driven in ice and snow I do a full rinse of the chassis or get a car wash as soon as possible.
Again, what do you want GM to do? You said you wanted to sue, so what is your remedy?
I want the truth. And if responsible, and they are in any event, because the need fjor and the preventative practices were never told to me. I never had a vehicle whose brakes needed rotors after 30,000 miles. Pads ok but rotors? I can’t be the only one out there. Also makes a formal complaint to the Federal agencies dealing with this.
My truth is 85K miles, 4.5 years and my original brakes look new.I want the truth. And if responsible, and they are in any event, because the need fjor and the preventative practices were never told to me. I never had a vehicle whose brakes needed rotors after 30,000 miles. Pads ok but rotors? I can’t be the only one out there. Also makes a formal complaint to the Federal agencies dealing with this.
Perhaps you have unique circumstances (environmental) or an overzealous dealer mechanic?
In my time with my Bolt, I have never heard of owners having to get brake jobs done on their cars. This forum has a few, perhaps isolated cases of folks needing brake jobs, but I guess I always considered overzealous mechanics as the primary cause.
Maybe the truth is you were snookered into brake jobs by someone trying to make some extra money on service? Maybe the truth that the majority are not experiencing this problem doesn't fit your narrative?
Where? Here in this thread? A search shows a few threads, but most discussions about brakes seem to be about wondering how long they will last, or the tail lights when regen occurs. Apparently, the majority of us don't see the problem you seem to be hung up on?But the brakes have been mentioned as an issue.
Rotors should always be replaced / resurfaced when replacing pads. Sure, shops will just replace pads without resurfacing but that is not the correct way of doing the job. They are happy to leave your brakes in a less useful manner that will quicken the wear on new pads and make you come back sooner and pay for labor again. A full brake job involves replacement of pads and rotors, greasing / replacing the slide pins. Replacing the spring clips (if they came with the pads). Removing old fluid from the brake reservoir, refilling then flushing and bleeding the brake lines. The the car should be test driven and undergo several hard stops to properly bed in the brake pads to the rotors and calipers. One person with proper tools (pressure bleeder etc) can do this in about 2 hours.I never had a vehicle whose brakes needed rotors after 30,000 miles. Pads ok but rotors?
EV brake replacement on cars from northern states with a lot of ice / snow where roads are treated with salt solutions are known to need replacement much sooner and with limited brake wear. I have not searched the threads but there are others with this experience and this was covered in an episode of Rich Rebuilds and the EV Garage showing Tesla brakes that required replacements because of pad separation from the plate due to rust and limited use of the brakes. So to that point this is a thing. But wanting to sue GM over this and the reasoning behind it is he was never told this is an issue is a unrealistic. Car salesman at best tell you about features of the car you are buying. If the car is within the B2B warranty you probably could get GM to cover them.Where? Here in this thread?
KerhonksonBolter has a legitimate gripe but it is just that, a gripe. It does not rise to the level of lawsuit and the fix is understanding that in certain climates different levels of vehicle maintenance are required.
Correct. Most of us will never need to replace the brakes on our cars. This is a limited issue with cars in specific locations with owners that probably don't do even cursory checks on the condition of their cars. Because at 30k miles the tires should have been rotated several times and every time I do a tire rotation I also do an inspection of the suspension and brakes. So this was clearly never done or the shop or owner doing the rotation did not do any other inspections.Apparently, the majority of us don't see the problem you seem to be hung up on?
It’s a common issue with all EVs especially ones that have the one pedal driving feature, not just the Bolt. I think a lawsuit is a waste of your time since it is a very well known thing with all EVs.I want the truth. And if responsible, and they are in any event, because the need fjor and the preventative practices were never told to me. I never had a vehicle whose brakes needed rotors after 30,000 miles. Pads ok but rotors? I can’t be the only one out there. Also makes a formal complaint to the Federal agencies dealing with this.
Can EV Brakes Rust From Disuse?
Electric vehicles don’t need brake service, right? Not necessarily. Learn how your EV brakes could be rusting away and how to fix it.
www.motorbiscuit.com
We had a Volt for 3.5 years in Minnesota. It too has blended brakes like the Bolt, but less aggressive regen. The rotors were shiny and fine, the calipers didn't stick. I got a good look at them 2X a year when changing out the snow tires. We had a 2021 Bolt for 18 months here in Minnesota. Again, the brakes were fine.Let’s hear from other Bolt owners. It is hard to get data if swept under the rug or never reported. But the brakes have been mentioned as an issue.
As someone else mentioned, the friction brakes are no different than those used on Chevrolet gasmobiles. In fact the Cruze, Volt, and Bolt all use the same rotors. My 2011 Cruze with ~87k miles on it, still has 100% original brakes. I'll I've done is have the brake fluid replaced. That's 11 Minnesota winters, and the rotors are shiny and fine, and the calipers work fine.
As others have mentioned, the brakes in an EV just have to get some use. I stick it in neutral and use the friction brakes while going down the hill in our alley. A little hard braking occasionally beyond what regen provides wouldn't hurt either
Probably a commission incentivized mechanic but the fact of the pitted rotors remain. So what do I do. Pay the diagnostic fee? Call the manager? The explanation is perhaps that that slide bare thing in the calipers was not done right. The Bolt is garaged commuter vehicle that has been treated with care.I want the truth. And if responsible, and they are in any event, because the need fjor and the preventative practices were never told to me. I never had a vehicle whose brakes needed rotors after 30,000 miles. Pads ok but rotors? I can’t be the only one out there. Also makes a formal complaint to the Federal agencies dealing with this.
Can you provide photos of these brakes? I am very curious to see what they look like. I have seen grooved rotors and cracked rotors but the only rotors I have seen pitted are the holes intentionally put there during manufacture. The slide pins not moving freely is a problem on all cars and is why rebuild kits include new boots and grease and sometimes new pins. But if the slide pins are really bad then the brake piston and boot probably also need to be examined and possibly replace the entire caliper.Probably a commission incentivized mechanic but the fact of the pitted rotors remain. So what do I do. Pay the diagnostic fee? Call the manager? The explanation is perhaps that that slide bare thing in the calipers was not done right. The Bolt is garaged commuter vehicle that has been treated with care.
The Bolt is still at the Romeo Chevrolet Dealer in Kingston NY. Good idea. I will post the rotors and speedometer reading. It is odd that this has occurred with some Bolts with low mileage and across all climates.
Not just Bolts….same deal with my Fusion PHEV and my Pacifica PHEV which just got new pads and rotors last week. The Chrysler has rotors with enough beef that they can be machined once so that bought a bit of time….it’s a 2018.The Bolt is still at the Romeo Chevrolet Dealer in Kingston NY. Good idea. I will post the rotors and speedometer reading. It is odd that this has occurred with some Bolts with low mileage and across all climates.
In my area, relatively dry conditions are the norm despite a few heavy snowstorms on occasion. My Fusion hybrid went 150K miles on original brakes and only needed attention due to debris causing grooves over time. Here, gravel is used more than salt to help with winter traction. I expect the Bolt brakes to last even longer and they look relatively new despite 85K miles and 4.5 years of use.Not just Bolts….same deal with my Fusion PHEV and my Pacifica PHEV which just got new pads and rotors last week. The Chrysler has rotors with enough beef that they can be machined once so that bought a bit of time….it’s a 2018.
So, yeah, local climates and road conditions probably play a big part in brake longevity.
Having to spend money to replace wear parts is never pleasant, but we've owned a Bolt and been a forum member since the beginning and don't recall low miles mild climate brake problems being discussed that often.It is odd that this has occurred with some Bolts with low mileage and across all climates.
So, yeah, local climates and road conditions probably play a big part in brake longevity.
It's pretty much confined to a salt belt problem; outside of that area, most Bolt owners will never, ever have to have their pads or rotors touched for service. After five-and-a-half-years, ours are as new. One fluid flush while in for battery exchange was it.EV brake replacement on cars from northern states with a lot of ice / snow where roads are treated with salt solutions are known to need replacement much sooner and with limited brake wear. . . So to that point this is a thing.
jack vines
No first pursue it with the Chevy Concierge. And perhaps the Federal government avenues.We have. I have been here 2 years. This is not new and not only an issue on Bolts. Brake corrosion is a KNOWN issue on all cars that are in rust belt states, especially those with low usage. Do a forum search and you can see what other Bolt owners have said.
We also have a 2013 Volt with over 90k miles and the brakes look and work as new. It also spent all its life in TX and OK. I gave back my 2020 Bolt with 17k miles and the brakes also looked new. I also keep my cars in a garage and if they are driven in ice and snow I do a full rinse of the chassis or get a car wash as soon as possible.
Again, what do you want GM to do? You said you wanted to sue, so what is your remedy?
30,000 miles and this happens. Sorry this car was garaged.Having to spend money to replace wear parts is never pleasant, but we've owned a Bolt and been a forum member since the beginning and don't recall low miles mild climate brake problems being discussed that often.
It's pretty much confined to a salt belt problem; outside of that area, most Bolt owners will never, ever have to have their pads or rotors touched for service. After five-and-a-half-years, ours are as new. One fluid flush while in for battery exchange was it.
jack vines
Help us understand; what does "garaged" have to do with brake component rust?30,000 miles and this happens. Sorry this car was garaged.
jack vines
Mine has 35,000 miles on it and has not been garaged since I bought it 11 months ago. I have put over 15,000 of those miles on it too. My brakes are fine.30,000 miles and this happens. Sorry this car was garaged.
If you use them occasionally like you should you will have no problems.
According to the owners manual you should be inspecting your brake components every 7,500 miles for any unusual wear or corrosion. So by that you should have already checked them 4 times in 35,000 miles and if you haven’t then you are not performing required maintenance. You’re fighting a losing battle if you expect a recall or GM to do something about you not properly maintaining your brakes.
I recently had to get my brakes replaced for $900 at the dealership due to corrosion (at just under 30K miles). I used to praise the one-pedal driving, and I don't think I'll stop, but I'm furious that there was no mention of the consequences of one-pedal driving. Furthermore, I can't find ANYWHERE that describes what the "right amount" of brake use is or proper procedures to keep the rotors clean.Let’s hear from other Bolt owners. It is hard to get data if swept under the rug or never reported. But the brakes have been mentioned as an issue.
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