The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Tuesday that General Motors will recall 107 Chevy Bolt EV and EUV vehicles from model years 2020-2022 due to a potential fire risk. The recall involves vehicles previously repaired in earlier recalls, with concerns that the installation of advanced diagnostic software may not have been properly completed, potentially creating a hazard when the battery is fully or nearly fully charged.
To reduce the risk, the NHTSA advises owners of affected vehicles to take several precautionary steps: limit battery charging to 90%, avoid allowing the battery to deplete below a 70-mile range, and refrain from charging the vehicles indoors overnight.
This new recall comes as part of a series of efforts by General Motors to address safety concerns associated with the Chevy Bolt. In July 2024, the automaker issued another recall related to potential issues in battery fire detection software. Since 2020, the Bolt models have undergone extensive recalls due to reports of battery-related fires, and GM has worked with South Korea’s LG Energy Solution to address these issues. In May 2024, GM and LG entities agreed to a $150 million fund to compensate affected Bolt owners.
GM first introduced the Chevy Bolt EV in 2015, using LG-supplied batteries. As the company faces continued scrutiny over battery safety, the NHTSA’s recent advice underscores the need for strict charging protocols until the diagnostic software concerns are resolved.
