[mark94025]

Just 1.5 hour ago (dated Jan. 31, 2023), our 2020 Chevy Bolt EV LT, lurched on the highway and started displaying the error messages below and driving oddly. We also got 2 emails telling us of problems with the ABS braking system and the StabiliTrak driving system. This feels like a hugh safety issue.

Unfortunately, our local Chevy Dealer can't get us in until Feb. 8.

Anyone have any idea whether the car is safe to drive? What happens if we get in an accident, serious damage, serious injury with the 2020 Chevy Bolt EV LT?

Regards,
Mark Berger

 

[ARob]

When I had this on my 2018, it was a brake pedal sensor, a $20 plastic part that senses when the pedal is pressed. It was covered under warranty, including the $250 diagnostic fee. Dealer claimed it was perfectly safe to drive.

I believe others attributed it to something else, maybe the iBooster? if this is the cause, not sure if safety is a concern, I never had this cause.

 

[mark94025]

When I had this on my 2018, it was a brake pedal sensor, a $20 plastic part that senses when the pedal is pressed. It was covered under warranty, including the $250 diagnostic fee. Dealer claimed it was perfectly safe to drive.

I believe others attributed it to something else, maybe the iBooster? if this is the cause, not sure if safety is a concern, I never had this cause.

THANKS, ROB.

 

[EBS]

Since it says it doesn't have steering assist anymore, then do you feel the steering is heavier now? If yes, then it's probably a genuine issue. I was thinking of issue with (again) 12v battery.

Once you've established if it is genuine issue, then you need to decide yourself.
If you have the upper body strength enough to handle the steering wheel, then ok.
If the weather and road are good, then it's ok.
If the drive doesn't feel sluggish or rough, then it's probably ok.
If you can have other means driving around without the car, so much the better. You may want to limit the user of the car.

 

[mark94025]

Since it says it doesn't have steering assist anymore, then do you feel the steering is heavier now? If yes, then it's probably a genuine issue. I was thinking of issue with (again) 12v battery.

Once you've established if it is genuine issue, then you need to decide yourself.
If you have the upper body strength enough to handle the steering wheel, then ok.
If the weather and road are good, then it's ok.
If the drive doesn't feel sluggish or rough, then it's probably ok.
If you can have other means driving around without the car, so much the better. You may want to limit the user of the car.

THANKS, EBS!

 

[MikeyBolt]

Might be hard to tell if it's safe to drive. I would tend to think if not, the car would shut down entirely but be safe whatever you decide. BTW the "lurch" could have been the car changing the accelerator mapping due to the error. For example, if you drive in L and you change to D while driving, it can feel like the car is lurching because the accelerator is at a different "virtual position". Maybe that's all the lurch was: some settings changed due to the errors and the throttle got mapped differently.

Mike

 

[Packer]

I personally wouldn’t drive it. They say 1 day of driving to you. What if driving it makes the issue worse or corrupts other parts? Would it all be covered? It’s a good insurance policy to take it in as recommended, and use your warranty.

 

[Bretsuaz]

If the 12v battery has not been replaced, its time anyway.

 

[Brad]

As mentioned above, hard to know if it is safe to drive. But I will say my car is doing it right now. On mine, even though I have the same warnings you have, the steering works normal. I do cancel the chiming error codes. BTW, mine learched as well, probably the same as yours.

Have you had a chance to see what codes are set? I checked the codes on my car, and it has a failing abs speed sensor. I have the part, but haven't replaced it yet.

 

[zbrown]

As mentioned above, hard to know if it is safe to drive. But I will say my car is doing it right now. On mine, even though I have the same warnings you have, the steering works normal. I do cancel the chiming error codes. BTW, mine learched as well, probably the same as yours.

Have you had a chance to see what codes are set? I checked the codes on my car, and it has a failing abs speed sensor. I have the part, but haven't replaced it yet.

If it's a front sensor you may want to verify the anti click washer between the axle and the hub isn't broken. These have been known to fracture and occasionally the fragments can damage the speed sensor.

 

[Brad]

If it's a front sensor you may want to verify the anti click washer between the axle and the hub isn't broken. These have been known to fracture and occasionally the fragments can damage the speed sensor.

Good to know. How can a person inspect it? Does it involve removing the cv axle?

 

[zbrown]

Good to know. How can a person inspect it? Does it involve removing the cv axle?

You have to separate the CV axle from the hub, which can either be done by removing the hub from the upright, or disconnecting the lower ball joint to give you enough slack.

 

[GregBrew]

Just 1.5 hour ago (dated Jan. 31, 2023), our 2020 Chevy Bolt EV LT, lurched on the highway and started displaying the error messages below and driving oddly. We also got 2 emails telling us of problems with the ABS braking system and the StabiliTrak driving system. This feels like a hugh safety issue.

Unfortunately, our local Chevy Dealer can't get us in until Feb. 8.

Anyone have any idea whether the car is safe to drive? What happens if we get in an accident, serious damage, serious injury with the 2020 Chevy Bolt EV LT?

Regards,
Mark Berger

View attachment 52526
View attachment 52524
View attachment 52525

Wheel speed sensor?

 

[mark94025]

If the 12v battery has not been replaced, its time anyway.

You know that the Chevy Bolt EV LT is a fully electric car, right?

 

[mwaltonga]

You know that the Chevy Bolt EV LT is a fully electric car, right?

There’s still a 12v battery to assist with turning the car on before the HV battery comes to life.

 

[mark94025]

There’s still a 12v battery to assist with turning the car on before the HV battery comes to life.

hmmmm. didn't know that. I'll have to look more closely under the hood. Thanks.

 

[Bretsuaz]

hmmmm. didn't know that. I'll have to look more closely under the hood. Thanks.

Many owners cars have started doing weird things and throwing different codes when the 12v battery starts to fail. It is a weird size battery but it can be found at Rock Auto.

 

[shrox]

You know that the Chevy Bolt EV LT is a fully electric car, right?

12V battery is electric...the Bolt has AGM as OEM, but some have replaced it with a lithium 12V.

 

[mark94025]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!

I'm posting this update to inform you all that Hazelwood Chevrolet (https://www.haselwood.com/) in Bremerton, WA, was OUTSTANDING in fixing this problem at NO COST to us, including a FREE Rental Car for almost 2 weeks. I'd like to call out Kyle DuGuay @ Hazelwood Chevrolet, Buick GMC who went to bat for us with Chevrolet.

We had just bought our 2020 leased Chevrolet Bolt EV LT which we had for the 36 months of the lease. Less than one month after the 36 months warranty expiration and with < 29,000 miles on the car we had the problem cited in my original post above.

In the end, I saw the bill, it was > $2300 to replace a faulty brake sensor device which had impacted, as in communicates with, the ABS brakes, the StabiliTrak system, Steering and the Transmission. All scary email and dashboard messages to read in your car. And, Hazelwood Chevy also picked up the cost of the Rental Car we had for approximately 2 weeks @ around $500.

So, in the end, Chevrolet did the right thing. I'm very happy to own an American built EV car and to have a company that stands behind their products. I only hope that as many of you read this positive ending/outcome as read my initial email on the scary problem.

Regards,
mark94025

 

[ARob]

PROBLEM SOLVED!!

I'm posting this update to inform you all that Hazelwood Chevrolet (https://www.haselwood.com/) in Bremerton, WA, was OUTSTANDING in fixing this problem at NO COST to us, including a FREE Rental Car for almost 2 weeks. I'd like to call out Kyle DuGuay @ Hazelwood Chevrolet, Buick GMC who went to bat for us with Chevrolet.

We had just bought our 2020 leased Chevrolet Bolt EV LT which we had for the 36 months of the lease. Less than one month after the 36 months warranty expiration and with < 29,000 miles on the car we had the problem cited in my original post above.

In the end, I saw the bill, it was > $2300 to replace a faulty brake sensor device which had impacted, as in communicates with, the ABS brakes, the StabiliTrak system, Steering and the Transmission. All scary email and dashboard messages to read in your car. And, Hazelwood Chevy also picked up the cost of the Rental Car we had for approximately 2 weeks @ around $500.

So, in the end, Chevrolet did the right thing. I'm very happy to own an American built EV car and to have a company that stands behind their products. I only hope that as many of you read this positive ending/outcome as read my initial email on the scary problem.

Regards,
mark94025

Post #2 above, called it!

PROBLEM SOLVED -- "2020 Chevy Bolt lurched on...

Just 1.5 hour ago (dated Jan. 31, 2023), our 2020 Chevy Bolt EV LT, lurched on the highway and started displaying the error messages below and driving oddly. We also got 2 emails telling us of problems with the ABS braking system and the StabiliTrak driving system. This feels like a hugh...

www.chevybolt.org

They did mine in one day, said it was ok to drive until part came in.