Toronto, Ontario — General Motors (GM) is issuing a second recall for 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs due to fire risks.
In November 2020 the Bolt EVs were recalled for fire risks. However, this second recall comes after two Bolts caught fire, after being reported as fixed following the first recall.
The automaker, alongside battery maker LG Chem, discovered that two rare manufacturing defects located in the same battery cell are the root cause of battery fires, which means the whole issue wasn’t fixed the first time.
The recall covers nearly 69,000 Bolts worldwide from model years: 2017, 2018 and part of 2019. The automaker says the vehicles involved in the recall all have batteries made by LG Chem in South Korea.
As part of this recall, GM will replace defective battery modules in the recall population. GM says it will notify customers when replacement parts are ready.
While the automaker prepares to conduct this recall, it is asking customers to take the following steps until the new remedy has been performed:
- Customers should, whether or not they received the current software update, return their vehicle to the 90% state of charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve mode (for 2017-2018 model years) or Target Charge Level (for 2019 model year) mode. If customers are unable to successfully make these changes or do not feel comfortable making these changes, GM is asking them to visit their dealer to have these adjustments completed.
- Additionally, GM is asking customers to charge their vehicle after each use and avoid depleting their battery below approximately 70 miles of the remaining range, where possible.
- Out of an abundance of caution, customers should continue to park their vehicles outside immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging overnight.
In the meantime, GM says customers who have not visited their dealer to receive the advanced diagnostics software should visit their nearest Chevrolet EV dealer to obtain the update.
After obtaining the software, customers should still limit their state of charge to 90 percent and otherwise follow the advice above.
