Summary
- General Motors is recalling Chevrolet Bolt EV models due to incorrectly installed diagnostic software related to battery overheating issues
- The recall is limited to 88 different 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV models and 19 Chevrolet Bolt EUV models
- The recall stems from a customer complaint about a 2022 Bolt EUV that remained limited to 80% state of charge due to a malfunction in the software programming tool
- Owners are advised to set the target charge level to 90%, park outside after charging, and avoid depleting the battery below 70 miles of range until the diagnostic software is reinstalled by dealers
- This recall is part of a broader 2021 battery recall effort affecting all 140,000 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models in North America, with eligible owners potentially receiving compensation from a class-action settlement
Article
General Motors is once again recalling the Chevrolet Bolt EV due to the installation of diagnostic software to address a previous battery-fire recall may have been done incorrectly. The software may fail to prevent battery overheating, potentially causing the battery pack to catch fire when charged to full or near-full capacity. The recall is limited to 88 different 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV hatchbacks and 19 Chevrolet Bolt EUV models. This is the second recall related to battery diagnostic software in Bolt EV models, with the initial recall occurring in July when it was discovered that the service system software could allow a technician to process a warranty claim without full software installation.
The latest recall was prompted by a customer complaint that a 2022 Bolt EUV remained limited to 80% state of charge after an evaluation period, beyond the point where the software should have restricted charging. GM attributes this to a malfunction in the software programming tool and has not reported any incidents related to this issue. Instructions for affected vehicle owners remain the same as the previous recall, including setting the target charge level to 90%, avoiding depletion of the battery below 70 miles of range remaining, parking outside after charging, and avoiding indoor overnight charging. Dealers will reinstall the diagnostic software for free, and owner notification letters will be mailed out on December 16, with a dedicated Bolt EV Concierge Team available for assistance.
This recall is a small subset of GM’s large 2021 battery recall effort, which affected all 140,000 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models in North America. Many owners of earlier 2017-2019 Bolt EVs received new battery packs as part of the recall, leading to increased driving range. As part of a class-action settlement against GM and battery supplier LG Energy Solution, owners may be eligible for compensation ranging from $700 to $1,400. While the Bolt EV ceased production in December 2023, it remained Chevy’s top-selling EV for the first half of 2024. GM CEO Mary Barra mentioned that the 2026 Chevy Bolt EV will be the most affordable EV in the U.S. when it is reintroduced in 2025.
Owners of the affected Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models are urged to follow the recommended instructions while awaiting an appointment with dealers for the diagnostic software reinstallation. The recall is prompted by a failure in the software fix for the previous battery recall, potentially leading to battery overheating and fire risk. GM plans to have the software reinstalled at no cost to owners, with a dedicated Bolt EV Concierge Team available for assistance. The recall addresses a small subset of vehicles compared to the larger battery recall effort from 2021, which saw all North American Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models being recalled. Owners may be eligible for financial compensation as part of a class-action settlement with GM and LG Energy Solution.
The faulty software installation could lead to the battery pack catching fire when charged to full or near-full capacity, prompting GM to issue the recall for 88 Bolt EV and 19 Bolt EUV models. Owners should set the target charge level to 90%, avoid depleting the battery below 70 miles of range, park outside after charging, and avoid charging indoors overnight. With the recall being the second related to battery diagnostic software, GM is working to rectify the issue and ensure the safety of affected vehicles. The Bolt EV, despite being out of production, was still a popular choice among EV buyers in the first half of 2024 and is set to return in 2025 as the most affordable EV option in the U.S.
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