Worst Start To Owning A 2021 Chevy Bolt EV Premier ―New Owner Shares Why Buying These Particular Used Chevy Bolts is Just Asking for Trouble

According to a recent Reddit on the r/Bolt EV forum group, the OP in a recent post titled "Worst Start to Owing a Bolt" discovers his 2021 buyback Bolt he purchased on 3/21, as of 3/25, will be in the garage until 6/25 or later.

Here is a rundown of the owner's (Purple-Locksmith-534) story:

The OP purchased a 2021 Bolt EV Premier on 3/21; it was a Buyback from GM but had its battery replaced last September, and a test drive showed that everything was fine.

However, just two days afterward, the OP got a "Propulsion Power is Reduced" warning with a check engine light on his Bolt's display.

The next day, on 3/24, he took it to a Chevrolet service department for a diagnosis.

According to the OP he will be without his Bolt for the next few months:

I took it to a Chevy shop on 3/24, and now, on 3/25, they're telling me it needs another new battery, and the wait time is 3 months. At least they're giving me a loaner but who knows how long they'll actually give me one for.

His advice to other Chevy Bolt shoppers about Buyback vehicles:

Just don't buy a car with known problems, guys.

Responses were sympathetic, showing that he is not alone with this problem:

I owned my (non-Buyback) Bolt for just under a month when I ran into the same issue. Quoted at least 8-12 weeks (mid-February) for a replacement battery ―RBR927

Pretty much had the same exact thing last year. Less than 24 hours with my 2020 LT. They gave me a loaner and even told me I could fill my tank on them during the repair. But they had me back in action in about a month ―cloudmatt1

The Chevy Bolt from 2017-2020 is notable for its battery recalls that warned about a fire risk due to battery cell defects. The remedy to this problem was a change in software to warn of an impending battery problem and an eventual battery replacement by GM.

The Allure and Folly of Chasing a Great Car Deal

Everyone wants that unicorn car deal: low miles at a low price for a vehicle that many online owners report as one of the best little EVs you can buy to save money.

Searching online forums, you will find that the Chevy Bolt fits these descriptors, with many happy Bolt owners reporting that they are basically trouble-free aside from the battery issue.

The only other issue is that the Bolt is notoriously slow when it comes to charging, but not a big deal if you have a charger at work to plug in during the workday and if you keep your driving to within the city.

I've been through 2 Bolt EVs. Both had their batteries replaced under warranty due to recall, and both gave me plenty of trouble-free miles. Total of 150k between the two cars and nothing but tires and brakes. 2nd one was a Buyback that I got a great deal on. For a long time, GM didn't have battery stock, so they offered Buyback on all recalled units. There was nothing really wrong with the cars. They gave the owners the option, and a ton chose to get their money back. ―04limited r/whatcarsshouldIbuy forum.

And therein lies the problem―Those returned GM Buyback Bolts with battery problems and that the scarce battery replacement problem continues today.

Not all used car shoppers are aware of this.

In fact, a separate but related Reddit forum post titled "Why is this Chevy Bolt still on the lot?" attests to this used car unicorn hunt with a 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT FWD with 16,590 miles for $17,500 in PA.

The majority of the post responses advised the OP that for one, the $17,000 price tag is way too much for the vehicle despite its low mileage. And two, for the money, he should consider better and newer EVs.

However, the OP has hopes of negotiating the price down significantly:

I can't find more recent ones at that price without way more miles on them, but maybe miles aren't as important with EVs? I can't afford a car at double the price, even at 0 interest, at this point. I'm hoping with the tax credit and some negotiation it would be close to $11000.

A classic case of unicorn hunting…and not doing enough research.

The Pros and Cons Of Purchasing A Chevy Bolt Buyback:

1. Purchasing a Buyback is typically significantly cheaper― sometimes priced thousands less―than its non-buyback counterparts, making them a good option for a limited budget.
2. The buyback vehicles are reputedly fixed by the manufacturer before resale.
3. In the case of the Bolt, some buybacks have received entirely new battery packs, effectively making them like-new in terms of battery life.
4. GM provides an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty on the new packs.

However, as forum comments show, that "fix" may or may not have happened, and there is the possibility that the Buybacks are being sold without the "fix" to move the backup of Buybacks in dealership lots―hoping the new-used buyer will be willing to wait for a promised new battery pack.

Should You Buy a Unicorn Buyback?

While the low price and a cadre of owners support the Chevy Bolt as a very affordable and trouble-free EV―aside from a past battery issue―it is tempting to pursue an under $20,000 car in today's market.

And it is possible that you could get that great deal from a buyback.

However, it is a gamble:

1. Did the model actually have the battery issue fixed―there's always a chance of undisclosed or poorly repaired defects. There's also a point made by some posts that the occasional Buyback model may suffer from other electrical problems complicating the battery replacement solution.
2. Even if the battery had been replaced, how long had the vehicle sat? Some buyback cars sitting on lots may have suffered battery degradation by the time they were resold.

At the very least, a unicorn shopper (or any other shopper type, for that matter) needs to check a buyback Bolt VIN for history and repair documentation, carefully review its Warranty coverage details at the dealership, and check its insurance options since the vehicle has a branded title that insurers may refuse.

What Do You Think? Are Buybacks worth looking into or is too much of a risk? Let us know in the comments section below if you have had good or bad results from a buyback purchase.

For additional articles about used car shopping, here are a few for your consideration:

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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