NHTSA Complaint #11253270 — 2019 CHEVROLET BOLT EV

BRAKING FAILURES. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MILES WITH NORMAL OPERATION OF THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM, THE CAR WAS IN MOTION (ABOUT 45 MPH) WHEN THE CAR'S REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REQUESTED BY COMPLETELY REMOVING THE FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR IN "L" MODE (THE "ONE FOOT DRIVING" MODE THAT AUTOMATICALLY BRAKES AS LESS PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR). THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AT FULL SPEED TOWARD A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A NORMALLY BUSY INTERSECTION. AT THAT POINT I VALIDATED THAT THE CAR WAS IN "L" MODE AND DECIDED TO USE THE REGENERATIVE BRAKE PADDLE CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT ALSO FAILED TO ENGAGE, AND THE CAR CONTINUED AT FULL SPEED TOWARD TO THE RED LIGHT. AT THAT POINT I ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL BRISKLY AND BARELY CAME TO A STOP BEFORE ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. NEARLY THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED A SECOND TIME ON THE DRIVE BACK ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE, AND AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN RESTING ABOUT 30 MINUTES. THE CAR GAVE NO NOTIFICATIONS OR WARNINGS OF ANYTHING ABNORMAL. MANY DRIVERS OF THE CHEVY BOLT RELY ON THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM NEARLY EXCLUSIVELY FOR ALL BRAKING SCENARIOS. BECAUSE OF THIS, ANY FAILURE CAN RESULT IN AN EXTREME HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND NEARBY PEDESTRIANS OR VEHICLES. WHEN CONTACTING GM, THEY SAID THAT UNDER SOME CONDITIONS THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM WILL NOT ENGAGE. THEY WILL NOT INVESTIGATE OR FIX THE ISSUE.