The American electric vehicle industry was recently hit by a major recall.
On November 7th, 2024, Chevy recalled over 100 Chevrolet Bolt EVs. This recall follows a series of more comprehensive GM recalls taken three years ago – which recalled roughly 142,000 Bolt EVs.
The recent recall has been characterized as a “high risk” of bursting into flames.
Chevy has been a staple in American auto manufacturing for over 100 years. With a worldwide brand presence – and a $63.49 billion market value – we expect the company to have flawless quality assurance processes. But unfortunately, mistakes happen – and sometimes, these mistakes get overlooked and defective cars get sold to consumers.
In this post, we want to provide a bit more context about the recent Chevy recalls and what to do if you are one of the affected owners.
The Recent Chevrolet Bolt Recall
In the most recent Chevy Bolt EV recall – affecting models from 2020-2022 – (regarding a high risk of bursting into flames), the issue is due to a defective diagnostic software that creates a fire risk when the battery is fully charged – or nearly fully charged.
This was the conclusion from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Chevy is encouraging affected consumers to do the following:
- Do not park their Chevy Bolt EVs inside their garages.
- Park on the street.
- Limit charging the battery to 90 percent.
- Do not let the battery drop to below 70 miles of range.
- Do not charge their vehicles overnight.
- Park the car on the street as soon as it is done charging.
As of this writing, GM is in the process of contacting affected consumers, who can expect to receive a letter by December 16th 2024.
Recall History for Chevy Bolt EVs
Chevy is no stranger to recalls. As mentioned, the manufacturer had a series of recalls over the last few years for issues with the Bolt EVs, including:
1. Battery Recall for Fire Risk (2020–2022 Models)
General Motors (GM) expanded an existing recall in August 2021 to include all 2017–2022 Chevrolet Bolt EVs and EUVs. This recall stemmed from defective battery modules – which could result in fires. This recall affected roughly 142,000 vehicles.
GM initiated battery replacements and software updates to manage the risk.
2. Advanced Diagnostic Software Installation (2020–2022 Models)
GM released an advanced diagnostic software update for certain 2020–2022 Bolt EV and EUV models. This software is designed to monitor the high-voltage battery to detect potential issues in hopes of preventing fire risks. This recall was made public in June of 2023.
What to do If Your Chevrolet Vehicle is Recalled?
Most consumers never experience a vehicle recall.
To reiterate, Chevy is planning to have all recall letters sent to affected consumers by December 16th. If you are one of the few consumers impacted by this recent Chevy Bolt EV recall, there are several ways to prepare.
1. Read the Recall Notice Carefully
Take the time to read through the recall letter in detail. It should provide more information regarding the issues, potential risk factors, the steps to take to get the problem resolved. Most importantly, look for any details that indicate immediate action needed on your end – and follow every restriction discussed about the vehicle’s usage.
2. Contact Chevrolet
The next step is to reach out to your local authorized Chevy dealership. Do not wait! Delaying the remedy process puts you and others at risk. These dealerships have the latest information on the recall and will scheduled your repair appointment to fix this issue.
Keep in mind, recall issues are generally repaired for FREE. So you do not need to worry about paying for the service.
3. Verify the Vehicle’s Recall Status Online
If you did not receive a notice, you can always check the vehicle’s recall status on the official Chevy recall lookup website or on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration site. Enter in your VIN to get all the details.
4. Get Ready for Your Service Appointment
Preparing for your repair appointment means preparing all your necessary documents. In most cases, this will require:
- Recall notice letter
- Title
- Registration
- Driver’s license
- Insurance card
- Warranty
- Maintenance records
- Repair appointment confirmation
Additionally, make sure you understand whether your vehicle might need to stay overnight. If this is the care, you will need to arrange alternate transportation – or see if it’s available through the dealership.
5. Keep Records of the Repair
After the repair work for the recall is completed, hold onto a copy of the service records. Maintaining the records of your recall and repairs may be helpful if you sell the vehicle in the future.
6. Stay Informed on Future Recalls
Although recalls are relatively rare, staying updated on your vehicle’s status is always a good idea. Sign up for recall alerts or periodically check your vehicle’s status, especially if your model has been affected in the past.
Have More Questions?
Hearing your vehicle is at a “high risk” of bursting into flames is a scary prospect.
We expect our vehicles to work seamlessly after we buy them, but that’s not always the case. Being impacted by the recent Chevy Bolt EV recall – or any recall – can be confusing. If you have questions about what to do with your recall notice or Chevrolet lemon law in general, the team at Cline APC is happy to guide you in the right direction.
Our team of California lemon law lawyers has decades of experience helping consumers earn justice from manufacturers after being sold a defective vehicle. Do not hesitate to contact our office at 888-982-6915 or send us a message online for a FREE consultation.
