Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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This is an updated review of the 2023 Bolt EV 1LT (not the EUV). What's it been like to own a Bolt EV for 3 years as a daily driver, throughout the entire warranty period. This is a story of a car that's had build quality issues and a dealership that kept saying "it's repaired" only to drive home and find out it isn't. The problems I've had are mostly unique to my Bolt, and thankfully if you buy one used it'll be easy to discover them during a test drive and inspection. There are still a few things about the 2023 Bolt EV that are not unique to my bolt (slow charging speed and indicators), those are also discussed in the video.
Would I recommend buying the new Bolt EV based on my experience with this vehicle? Uhhhhhhhh... well, just because of a bad experience with GM dealer network, no I would not. The 2027 Bolt EV would be an excellent vehicle if nothing goes wrong, I think. But the repairs have really let me down and now that the warranty has ran out GM is not giving me a clear answer on whether they're going to cover the ongoing diagnosis and repairs of the crunchy suspension sounds - something we've been working on for nearly half a year at this point. Instead of doing the simple quick fix of replaceing the Sway Bar Link and bushings, they've waffled on it and spent hours of tech time diagnosing, replaced more complicated components and nothing has helped.
More recently the car has developed a clicking on acceleration and deceleration. Since I have an ongoing repair for the taillight condensation I hope they'll do this at the same time.
Realistically I'm reaching my breaking point with this, I don't want to go through the hassle of finding a new car, but if GM doesn't get this sorted I will seek a buyback.
At least with a used Bolt EV you can do due diligence and check for some of the common issues. Also, I did not experience software issues, the nice part about the 2023 1LT is it is still mostly a normal car for repairs and not as software reliant. So fixing some components is easy and affordable, not everything is serial number paired to the car, etc. One of my favourite parts about the bolt is that compared to some other EVs it many repairs very basic and not locked down, so they can be done independently or by a 3rd party.
Bolt EV common issues on Reddit: reddit.com/r/BoltEV/comments/1pvmlkm/psa_bolt_owners_with_bumpertobumper_warranty
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:16 It's WET
0:32 CRUNCH
2:04 Other QC Issues
3:10 Design Flaws
4:42 Interior
7:22 Exterior
7:52 Daily Driving
9:14 Road Trips
10:48 GM Leaves Me Hanging
12:20 Conclusion
Support me and gain a fun new hobby by buying something from my disc golf store: rarediscgolf.com (I own this store, it is not a sponsor).
This is an updated review of the 2023 Bolt EV 1LT (not the EUV). What's it been like to own a Bolt EV for 3 years as a daily driver, throughout the entire warranty period. This is a story of a car that's had build quality issues and a dealership that kept saying "it's repaired" only to drive home and find out it isn't. The problems I've had are mostly unique to my Bolt, and thankfully if you buy one used it'll be easy to discover them during a test drive and inspection. There are still a few things about the 2023 Bolt EV that are not unique to my bolt (slow charging speed and indicators), those are also discussed in the video.
Would I recommend buying the new Bolt EV based on my experience with this vehicle? Uhhhhhhhh... well, just because of a bad experience with GM dealer network, no I would not. The 2027 Bolt EV would be an excellent vehicle if nothing goes wrong, I think. But the repairs have really let me down and now that the warranty has ran out GM is not giving me a clear answer on whether they're going to cover the ongoing diagnosis and repairs of the crunchy suspension sounds - something we've been working on for nearly half a year at this point. Instead of doing the simple quick fix of replaceing the Sway Bar Link and bushings, they've waffled on it and spent hours of tech time diagnosing, replaced more complicated components and nothing has helped.
More recently the car has developed a clicking on acceleration and deceleration. Since I have an ongoing repair for the taillight condensation I hope they'll do this at the same time.
Realistically I'm reaching my breaking point with this, I don't want to go through the hassle of finding a new car, but if GM doesn't get this sorted I will seek a buyback.
At least with a used Bolt EV you can do due diligence and check for some of the common issues. Also, I did not experience software issues, the nice part about the 2023 1LT is it is still mostly a normal car for repairs and not as software reliant. So fixing some components is easy and affordable, not everything is serial number paired to the car, etc. One of my favourite parts about the bolt is that compared to some other EVs it many repairs very basic and not locked down, so they can be done independently or by a 3rd party.
Bolt EV common issues on Reddit: reddit.com/r/BoltEV/comments/1pvmlkm/psa_bolt_owners_with_bumpertobumper_warranty
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:16 It's WET
0:32 CRUNCH
2:04 Other QC Issues
3:10 Design Flaws
4:42 Interior
7:22 Exterior
7:52 Daily Driving
9:14 Road Trips
10:48 GM Leaves Me Hanging
12:20 Conclusion
