That is where a visual inspection every 7500 miles is important. Unless you rotate your tires yourself, just ask the tech to look over everything under the car. On the Bolt, that ain't much. Pads, rotors, fluid leaks.
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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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This is a prime example of YMMV. Many Bolt owners have brakes that last for years without any service; other Bolt owners experience rusting like you have. The main difference seems to be salt use on the roads. But if you live in an area with lots of snow (and therefore lots of salt use on the roads), then you should expect to watch for things like corrosion on 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.
Also, the friction / hydraulic brakes are a system that can be serviced by any competent mechanic. Don't fall into the trap that only the dealership can service your brakes because the Bolt is an EV, and that you have to pay dealership rates (or even trust the dealership's diagnosis that you need to replace your brakes).
That's because the "right amount" requires a multi-variable regression analysis. Among the variables are: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.
1. How much and what type salt is used on the roads for how many months of the year?
2. What is the year-round humidity average?
3. How often and how hard is the car driven?
4. Is it stored indoors or outdoors?
5. How often is it driven in reverse?
We use OPD almost exclusively. Our 2017 brakes still are as new. All indications are they will never have to be replaced.
We did pay for a five-year brake fluid flush while the battery was being replaced.
jack vines
The best way I've found to keep my brakes nice and rust free is to do regular autox's 
@zbrown I'm clueless. Please explain.
@zbrown I'm clueless. Please explain.
I've mentioned it other places on this forum but if you are in the rust belt and especially where they use a lot of these new de icing fluids in addition to the salt then just get used to the fact you are replacing pads and rotors about every 3 years....mileage doesn't seem to matter and I haven't found that usage makes any difference either.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.
This was true for my Fusion PHEV and my Pacifica PHEV and I expect the same for the EUV. The Pacifica at least had heavy enough rotors that they could be turned once but next time around I am in for the whole deal.
This is not an issue specific to the Bolt. In the Great Lakes salt belt you can just expect brake replacement every few years....no different than at about 10 years of age you are going to start doing body work or you will buy a newer car...just the way it is.
This is also why I just use the cheapest pads and rotors that I can find.
AutoX on a road course is always a lot of fun. We have not had one at Hallett MRC in probably over a decade. I can't remember if it was because of the cost to rent the track or insurance or being able to stay within SOLO II rules. Because normally those course break the rule of fastest speed attainable by the fastest car. I think the limit was 80mph. I can only imagine how that might become more difficult if a Model S Plaid shows up.
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