Chevrolet Bolt EV Recall

General Motors today outlined a comprehensive action plan to ensure that customers can safely and confidently drive, charge, and park the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV. The action plan includes both hardware and software remedies, some of which are in place with immediate effect:

New Battery Production

• LG battery plants in Holland and Hazel Park, Michigan, have resumed production. In addition, LG is adding capacity to provide more cells to GM. As a result, replacement battery modules will begin shipping to dealers as soon as mid-October.
• The root cause of the rare circumstances that could cause a battery fire is two manufacturing defects known as a torn anode and a folded separator, both of which need to be present in the same battery cell.
• LG has implemented new manufacturing processes and has worked with GM to review and enhance its quality assurance programs to provide confidence in its batteries moving forward. LG will institute these new processes in other facilities that will provide cells to GM in the future.

• GM will continue to prioritize Chevy Bolt EV and EUV customers whose batteries were manufactured during specific build timeframes where GM believes battery defects appear to be clustered. The company has established a notification process that will inform affected customers when their replacement modules will be available.
• The new batteries will include an extended battery 8-year/160,000 km limited warranty.

New Advanced Diagnostic Software

• Within approximately 60 days, GM will begin launching a new advanced diagnostic software package that will increase the available battery charging parameters over existing guidance.
• The diagnostic software will be designed to detect specific abnormalities that might indicate a damaged battery in Bolt EVs and EUVs by monitoring the battery performance; alerting customers of any anomalies, and prioritizing damaged battery modules for replacement. It is GM’s intent that further diagnostic software will allow customers to return to a 100 percent state of charge once all diagnostic processes are complete.
• This new software, which will be provided to all Bolt EV and EUV owners, requires dealer installation. Owners will be able to start to schedule installation at their Chevy EV dealer in approximately 60 days.

If customers are following GM’s instructions issued below, they can park in a location of their choice. In an abundance of caution, GM recommends customers leave ample space around their vehicle wherever they choose to park. GM is not aware of any fires that have occurred where customers followed this safety guidance, in parking decks or otherwise.

What our Customers Should do

Out of an abundance of caution, GM will replace defective lithium-ion battery modules in Chevrolet Bolt EVs and EUVs with new lithium-ion modules. We will notify customers when replacement parts are ready. We are asking customers to take the following steps until the new remedy has been performed:

• • Set your vehicle to a 90 percent state of charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve mode (for 2017-2018 model years) or Target Charge Level (for 2019-2022 model year) mode. Instructions on how to do this are available in the video below. If you are unable to successfully make these changes or do not feel comfortable making these changes, GM is asking you to visit your dealer to have these adjustments completed.
  • Charge your vehicle more frequently and avoid depleting your battery below approximately 113 kilometres of the remaining range, where possible.
  • Park your vehicle outside immediately after charging and do not leave your vehicle charging indoors overnight.

What is the defect in recalled batteries?

• The problem consists of two LG manufacturing defects (a torn anode tab and folded separator) that, in rare circumstances, can simultaneously present in a single battery cell in the LG battery module.

Can GM provide more specifics related to the warranty?

• GM warrants new or refurbished advanced propulsion batteries installed under recall N212343881 against defects in material or workmanship for the warranty coverage period of 8 Years/160,000 km* (whichever comes first). GM will repair or replace the part, in its sole discretion, at no charge if the part fails due to a defect in material or workmanship during the warranty coverage period (Note: Labor is also covered if installed by a GM EV Dealer). This Bolt limited parts warranty is an extension to the original equipment warranty and begins at the time of installation.* Terms and limitations apply, see the Battery Warranty provided to the vehicle’s owner upon completion of the battery module replacement.
  

What confidence does GM have that the replacement modules won’t have the same defects?

• General Motors will only begin replacing battery modules in customer vehicles when GM and LG are confident in the safety of LG’s product.

I moved and no longer live near a dealership that can work on EVs. What am I supposed to do?

• Our customer support team is here to work with you (chat or phone) and help you locate the nearest certified Chevrolet EV dealer when parts are available or for other service needs.