[Kmjmfamily]

We purchased our 2017 Bolt Certified preowned and it has made a clunking/rattling noise since we got it a year ago. Our warranty is up in a few weeks and we’re desperate to get this figured out before the warranty is up! We’ve brought it in several time but the dealership just says they can’t reproduce the sound. It’s most noticeable on uneven/bumpy roads when going downhill breaking or coasting. I don’t notice it when accelerating. I sent a video to the dealership but they say it’s just road noise but it is definitely not. They want to hear it in person but will only go so far from their dealership and all the roads around the dealership are newer and smooth. Anyway, any ideas what this noise could be or how I can convince them to do something about it??
New to the site so not sure how to upload a video so I made it into a YouTube video. Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[RichardC]

Could be a lot of things like a broken shock or loose shock mount. One thing that comes to mind is that some Bolts had the front sway bar rubbing. Do a search here for this problem on the forum. It is ridiculous that with this type of documentation that your warranty will just end and you not made whole. Call GM service care and have them make up a case number as clearly there is a problem and you should not be left holding the bag because the dealer can't or won't figure it out. It could be nothing or a whole lot of money. Time to start getting loud.

 

[Kmjmfamily]

Thank you. I contacted GM and she escolated the claim. Crossing my fingers we can get this resolved.

 

[Mivo]

I've had warrantee related issues with other vehicles where they couldn't find the problem before the warrantee expired. But because it was documented that the problem existed and the vehicle was brought in to be fixed while still under warrantee, the repairs were still covered afterwards. So keep a record of your service calls in case the system 'loses' them.

 

[Cowavenger]

I have been experiencing the exact same sound in my 2017 Bolt. No other videos sounded so similar.

There is a documented problem with sway bar links, and there was a recall issued in Korea. I replaced both sway bar links and the problem is completely unchanged. I have also heard some people mention that their sway bar was replaced, and a video of someone quoted as needing their sway bar replaced. I haven't found any description of what the issue is with the sway bar, or what is actually causing this sound.

I feel pretty confident it's a sway bar issue, as adding a person in the passenger.seat at about the same weight as me seems to dramatically reduce the noises.

Please let me know what the diagnosis is! If at all possible try to get an explanation or picture of what the issue actually ended up being!

 

[MDBolt]

Yes, do keep us posted! There's several of us here with similar problems.

 

[Lin19687]

Thank you. I contacted GM and she escolated the claim. Crossing my fingers we can get this resolved.

I have same sound. I will copy/paste my posting with video on these.
Please let us know what you find out !!
Just got the bolt back after 1 month in the shop to fix a variety of issues, hatch rubbing paint & rattling, tapping on acceleration and deceleration, front and rear Axle Ping/Plink/squeak/twist sounds, and a few other minor things.
Hatch got a new latch mechanism, tape on the bumper markers and it still rattles.
Rear & maybe still the front has classic Axle noise.
Clunking in front of car, I don't think it is the dash.
Here are all my videos I just made so others will hear the noises and know they are not normal
Please excuse the videos, 4 of them, and my 1 F word, it's rough and I didn't edit it as it will be part of my court proceedings with GM.
turn up volume or put on headphones so you can hear better. Videos info lists where you hear the issues on each video.
I hope this helps others.
Click on Bolt Issues after 'Fix' playlist

Rustic Life Farm

Hello, this is Rustic Life Farm, my name is Lin. This YT channel is for anyone that wants to follow me on my voyage to the "Next chapter in my life". That is...

www.youtube.com

 

[Lin19687]

BTW, I had links, sway repaired and front axle

 

[TheCyberKnight]

Likely the link kits problem. Sounds really close to it.
Fortunately, this is not an expensive repair.

You can also check for any hood movement. When closed, hold it from to front and try to move it up and down slightly. If it makes a similar thumping noise, open it and turn the rubber bushing on the sides (2 each side I think) by a half turn. Close the hood, try the lift again and repeat the bushing adjustment if necessary.

 

[Kmjmfamily]

I have same sound. I will copy/paste my posting with video on these.
Please let us know what you find out !!
Just got the bolt back after 1 month in the shop to fix a variety of issues, hatch rubbing paint & rattling, tapping on acceleration and deceleration, front and rear Axle Ping/Plink/squeak/twist sounds, and a few other minor things.
Hatch got a new latch mechanism, tape on the bumper markers and it still rattles.
Rear & maybe still the front has classic Axle noise.
Clunking in front of car, I don't think it is the dash.
Here are all my videos I just made so others will hear the noises and know they are not normal
Please excuse the videos, 4 of them, and my 1 F word, it's rough and I didn't edit it as it will be part of my court proceedings with GM.
turn up volume or put on headphones so you can hear better. Videos info lists where you hear the issues on each video.
I hope this helps others.
Click on Bolt Issues after 'Fix' playlist

Rustic Life Farm

Hello, this is Rustic Life Farm, my name is Lin. This YT channel is for anyone that wants to follow me on my voyage to the "Next chapter in my life". That is...

www.youtube.com

[/QUOTE

sounds similar. Ours comes from the front passenger too. I was able to get a GM service claim opened but it’s been radio silence since. He was supposed to talk with the dealer I’ve been working with then call me back. I sent him the video, emailed and called his direct line and still no response. We’re out of warranty now. It’s just so stressful. It’s made this noise since we got it preowned from the dealership and they just can’t or won’t fix it.

 

[Lin19687]

You should have gotten some kind of warranty even used. Wonder if it was only for a year.
Did you ever bring it back to the dealer for the noise before that year was up ?

 

[Cowavenger]

Likely the link kits problem. Sounds really close to it.
Fortunately, this is not an expensive repair.

You can also check for any hood movement. When closed, hold it from to front and try to move it up and down slightly. If it makes a similar thumping noise, open it and turn the rubber bushing on the sides (2 each side I think) by a half turn. Close the hood, try the lift again and repeat the bushing adjustment if necessary.

I'll be sure to check out my hood. I have that same rattling as OP, and I already replaced my sway links. It made the same sounds almost immediately. Is there any documentation of what the sway bar issue actually is? I've heard "dealer replaced sway bar* but never seen pictures or examples of what the sway bar issue is.

 

[CRANKNHANK]

I have been experiencing the exact same sound in my 2017 Bolt. No other videos sounded so similar.

There is a documented problem with sway bar links, and there was a recall issued in Korea. I replaced both sway bar links and the problem is completely unchanged. I have also heard some people mention that their sway bar was replaced, and a video of someone quoted as needing their sway bar replaced. I haven't found any description of what the issue is with the sway bar, or what is actually causing this sound.

I feel pretty confident it's a sway bar issue, as adding a person in the passenger.seat at about the same weight as me seems to dramatically reduce the noises.

Please let me know what the diagnosis is! If at all possible try to get an explanation or picture of what the issue actually ended up being!

Mine is the intermediate steering shaft, on back order

 

[Kmjmfamily]

You should have gotten some kind of warranty even used. Wonder if it was only for a year.
Did you ever bring it back to the dealer for the noise before that year was up ?

It had 50k miles when we bought it so GM warranty is only a year. I brought it to the dealership 3 times before the warranty was up and they haven’t been able to diagnose or fix the problem.

 

[Lin19687]

I still have this and think it is a strut/coil kinda thing.

It is NOT the Links or Sway bar sound at all. I had those and had them replaced. Not even close to that sound.

 

[Cowavenger]

Mine is the intermediate steering shaft, on back order

Do you feel the rattling in the steering wheel? For my particular issue I haven't been able to feel it at all, except through the floor. There may be a damper of some kind preventing that vibration from coming through to the wheel though.

 

[Mikecamp]

Did you ever get a resolution on this? I have a very similar sound - but only on dirt roads. I am new to EVs though (came from a gas guzzling SUV) so not sure if its just the lack of ICE noise that makes me notice every little sound. I took mine to the dealer and they spent an hour looking at it but found nothing.

 

[Jam]

We purchased our 2017 Bolt Certified preowned and it has made a clunking/rattling noise since we got it a year ago. Our warranty is up in a few weeks and we’re desperate to get this figured out before the warranty is up! We’ve brought it in several time but the dealership just says they can’t reproduce the sound. It’s most noticeable on uneven/bumpy roads when going downhill breaking or coasting. I don’t notice it when accelerating. I sent a video to the dealership but they say it’s just road noise but it is definitely not. They want to hear it in person but will only go so far from their dealership and all the roads around the dealership are newer and smooth. Anyway, any ideas what this noise could be or how I can convince them to do something about it??
New to the site so not sure how to upload a video so I made it into a YouTube video. Any suggestions are appreciated!

Yes, yes...same dang sound. Sway bar replaced still friggin rattle coming through from passenger side!! It's driving me nuts, to the point possibly putting the For Sale sign!....it sounds like my hood isn't completely flush shut.

I'm going insane. What can it be!!??