2023 CHEVROLET BOLT EUV Exterior Lighting Problems

I purchased a used 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV one week ago today and was shocked to learn of a known issue with the rear brake lights many claim is a very serious and hazardous design flaw. Undoubtedly, you have received complaints from fellow 2022 & 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV owners who have advised the car's rear brake lights are dangerously located down below in the bumper section. The mid-section of the back (hatch area) lights are "running lights" only. During daylight, the mid-section rear lights are not illuminated at any time per design (neither turn signal nor brake lights); yet, this creates a confusing (at minimum) situation for fellow drivers who are following the car. Although placement of the brake lights down below in the bumper section meets safety guidelines, the typical driver (myself included) is trained to watch for brake lights and turn signals in tail-light mid-section on the back of the vehicle. In addition to this, owners of bigger / taller trucks and SUVs who may be following a bit too closely may not see the bumper brake lights at all. Today, the theory was tested in real life, as I was nearly "rear-ended" by another vehicle in moderate city traffic while stopped at a stop light. The driver coming up behind me slammed on his brakes and screeched to a stop while I moved forward slightly to avoid the crash. Naturally, the other driver thought my brake lights were non-functioning as he passed me yelling through his rolled down window I needed to "fix (my) fu*king brakes lights". THIS HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A MERE 200 MILES AFTER I PURCHASED LAST WEEK. If I extrapolate, this means my life will potentially be in danger from a rear end collision *50 TIMES* over the next year assuming I conservatively drive 10,000 miles. This is incredibly unacceptable and is shameful. GM needs to recall these vehicles immediately and install appropriate brake and turn signal lights. How many injuries and deaths will it take I wonder. Please act now. Thank you.

Brake light problems, i.e., the brake and turn signal lights are mounted on the bumper. TOO low and dangerous. Trucks and pickups especially DO NOT see these low mounted lights. I've been almost rear-ended when stopping on numerous occasions. Drivers expect to see lights at line of sight NOT at the bottom of a vehicle. The earlier versions of the Boldt had the lights higher, why this poor design? It may be legal but certainly not acceptable in today's world. This is a SAFETY issue and unacceptable. Owners are rewiring their cars (see Chevy Boldt Forum or YouTube videos) which should not have to be done on a new 2023 vehicle.

Brake lights are too low on vehicle - middle lights are only running lights. Drivers behind vehicle in stop and go traffic must rely on high mounted third brake light mounted at peak of vehicle roof line, especially difficult for larger vehicles (SUVs, Trucks) to see low mounted brakes, with expectation that the middle lights will indicate braking. Multiple reports and complains regarding this issue are posted online and also in this database.

I, and many other owners of Chevy Bolts are having our speed suddenly reduced without warning. The vehicle immediately drops to a max speed of 30 mph and gives an error message "Propulsion Power is Reduced". One common cause seems to be defective transmission fluid pumps, although other electrical and mechanical components also seem to cause this problem. One common error code seems to be P2797, along with the "Propulsion Power is Reduced" message. This dangerous speed reduction is sometimes happening in dangerous situations, while driving in heavy traffic and at high speeds on highways. This is an incredibly dangerous defect and could easily cause car accidents, injuries or death. People are also being stranded without warning. There are many posts (dozens+) about this on various owners groups, including Reddit, Facebook groups and others. The Bolt brake lights and turn signals are also placed in very bad locations which are not obvious or visible, which is also incredibly dangerous.

I just bought a new chevy bolt euv from a dealership here in Michigan. No sooner than me driving off their lot, a pickup truck damn near ram into me. I was in thick traffic following slow vehicles and the only damage cause was a skid mark on the road he cause. No damages to my bolt. He roll down and said fix your brake lights. I yell back, it's factory! I'm scared to hold onto this vehicle when it comes to winter time. Most vehicle's license plate get obscured by snow. These brake lights and turn signals are even below the license plate. A recall and a redesign needs to happen. Too many people expressing negative opinion on this issue on the forums. Thank you for reading this. Have a great day.

We were pulled over because a police officer could not see our brake lights. We told him that the lights are at the bottom of the vehicle and not in the logical spot. I exited the vehicle and showed him that the brake lights were located at the bottom of the vehicle and not where you would expect the brake lights to be. My husband was driving and he tapped the brakes so we could see that they were working properly. He issued us a warning. As a sidenote, the officer really was looking out for our safety and not trying to trap. He said that he had to document the traffic stop. This really isn't a issue of a faulty product but there should be a recall where the brakes are connected to the running lights in an area which is where you would expect the brake lights to be.

Iv'e owned the Bolt EUV for a few months and I was almost rear ended at least 4 times. One time the person tapped my rear bumper with their license plate and left a very light mark. There wasn't enough damage to make a report and the driver stated that they didnt notice me braking. The brake lights are too low and not very noticable( see attached photo with arrows). This issue can easily be corrected. The Bolt EUV has a light in the middle right above the rear window that only operates at night when you turn on the lights. They should have it act as a break light also.

Got rear ended. I learned that the brake lights on the Bolt EUV are mounted low and are small. The large rear lights that people would normally assume as brake lights do not light up when braking. This could increase the chances of rear end collisions.

The brake & turn signal lights are located at the bottom of the bumper, however the vehicle has additional taillights midway up the back of the vehicle, these are in the traditional area of the car, however these taillights in the traditional place do not indicate a stop or turn. This is where most people’s eyes are focused when they are following you, not at the bottom of the bumper. This creates a situation where it’s possible the vehicle following you will have at least a delayed reaction in stopping when you do. Upgrading the mid level lights to indicate stop and turn would eliminate this unsafe situation.

The brake lights are 28” approx from the ground but they sue very difficult to see from behind with other cars especially large vans trucks and SUV’s. The blinkers also appear to be red and don’t stand out. The combination make it appear like a reflector not a brake light and blinker. I’ve had the car for 5 days and have almost been hit from behind 3 times. This us a safety issue. Gm should make the upper light set blink and brake that’s in view of most drivers. Kia Hyundai is also doing this but their blinkers are Amber. Both ate accidents waiting to happen. This needs to be fixed asap.

I just recently got my 2023 BoltEUV and I have discovered that the configuration of the rear end brake lights is dangerous because people expect the lights on the hatch to be the brake lights, but they are actually only running lights at nights. The brake lights and turn signals are actually much lower down in the cars bumper - this is not where people expect them to be. As such, a few people have almost rear ended me already since they are looking in wrong place for the rear brake lights. I suggest the hatch lights are updated to be the running lights and brake lights (ie. they should get brighter when brakes are applied). The lights in the bumper should only come on when the hatch is open. (just like 2017-2021 BoltEVs used to have).