General Motors has asked that all Chevrolet Bolt vehicle owners park their cars outside and away from structures. They are also requesting Bolt owners not to leave the car charging overnight. Those precautions come as a result of numerous reports that the vehicles can catch fire.

General Motors has expanded an existing Chevrolet Bolt recall just this month. It’s the third time it’s done so. The first recall happened in November 2020. The second was in July 2021. GM announced two previous recalls for model years 2017-2019 vehicles, which affected 50,932 cars. This new recall includes model years 2017-2022 and affects an estimated 59,392 vehicles.

This new recall affecting model years 2017-2022 is due to the risk of the high-voltage battery pack catching fire. The company claims that the lithium-ion battery modules in Chevy Bolt’s EVs and EUVs are defective. The U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is aware of the fires plaguing specific Chevy Bolt models. According to the investigative report opened in October 2020, complainants have reported fires starting under the seating area in parked cars. To date, the NHTSA is still monitoring the situation.

Chevy Bolt owners can visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number for more information on this recall.

GM has not yet issued replacement parts to remedy the defect. Instead, GM is requesting that Bolt owners take precautions. These include changing the battery to a 90% state of charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve mode (for 2017-2018 model years) or Target Charge Level (for 2019-2022 model year) mode. GM has stated that owners can head to a local dealer to have the change made. However, most consumers aren’t happy with this fix since it lessens the mileage.

GM advises Bolt owners to charge the vehicle more frequently and avoid depleting the battery below 70 miles of remaining range. Also, the car should not be left inside overnight.
Under California Lemon Laws, consumers are protected when purchasing a vehicle that doesn’t perform as expected. When consumers buy a product, they expect it to works as intended. And Bolt owners don’t expect their cars to catch fire inside their garage. Those defects are precisely why California’s Lemon Laws exist — to hold manufacturers responsible for creating and selling defective automobiles. It also provides consumers with legal recourse against a manufacturer when they sell a defective car.

However, GM isn’t handing out buyback options or swapping new cars easily. Most consumers have reported their frustration with the length of time and hassling required. An experienced lemon law attorney can vigorously argue your case on your behalf. Often, having an attorney allows the consumer to recover maximum compensation for a claim. Our attorneys at Conn Law, PC, have the skill and knowledge necessary to help you document your case and present options for holding the manufacturer accountable. Call Conn Law, PC, at 1-877-421-9759, or visit us online today for your free consultation.