GM Will Start Fixing Chevy Bolt Batteries

The Chevy Bolt has garnered a considerable amount of attention over the last few months due to reports of its high-voltage battery pack causing a potential fire risk. As a result, a Chevy Bolt recall was recently issued by the manufacturer for all Bolt vehicles with model years 2017 through 2022. General Motors announced it would begin replacing the defective battery modules in recalled Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV vehicles as soon as mid-October.

What Caused the Chevy Bolt Recall?

The Chevy Bolt vehicles were recalled after GM discovered two manufacturing defects in the battery cell. Specifically, a torn anode tab and folded separator could increase fire risks. While GM recommended that owners not charge the battery in their vehicles beyond 90% and park outside after charging, these measures did not resolve the issue. In fact, GM paused production on new Chevy Bolt EVs and EUVs in August, and it is expected to remain down through mid-October.

Dealerships were provided with instructions in April to test affected vehicles for battery issues using diagnostics. GM also agreed to buy back certain recalled models. However, a second recall was issued in July after GM received two reports of fires in Chevy Bolt vehicles that had been repaired as part of the first round of recalls. To date, GM has confirmed 13 instances in total in which Chevy Bolts have caught on fire while parked.

Which Vehicles Require New Batteries?

General Motors will be repairing the batteries in more than 140,000 Chevy Bolt EVs and EUVs. Specifically, Chevy Bolt model years 2017-2019 will be getting an enhanced battery pack of five new battery modules. Model years 2020-2022 will also be implemented with new modules unless GM completes its development of software that can detect whether the vehicle has a defective module that requires replacement.

Does a Defective Battery Mean Your Car is a Lemon?

If you purchased a Chevy Bolt EV or EUV that has been recalled due to the defective battery issue, it doesn’t automatically mean that your car rises to the level of a lemon. There are specific legal criteria that must be satisfied to obtain a refund or replacement vehicle under California’s Lemon Law.

In order to invoke the lemon law, the car must be under the original manufacturer’s warranty and fail to conform to it. Additionally, the issue affecting the vehicle must be unrepairable. In other words, you must provide the authorized dealer with several reasonable opportunities to make repairs — and the attempts must be unsuccessful. Generally, four repair attempts are required, but only two may be necessary if the defect is one that could result in physical harm or fatality. The vehicle may also be deemed a lemon under the law if it was in the repair shop for 30 days or more.

California law presumes that a vehicle is a lemon if the problem arose within 18 months of the vehicle’s delivery, or the first 18,000 miles are driven. It’s essential to be aware that there is a four-year statute of limitations to file a lemon law claim for a defective vehicle, beginning on the date the nonconformity was discovered.

What Can You Do if Your Vehicle Was Recalled?

If your Chevy Bolt was part of the recall, you should have received a notice advising you. However, you can also confirm whether your vehicle was part of the recall by entering the VIN on the National Highway Traffic and Administration website. By conducting a search, you can find out about any active recalls affecting your car. Critically, the search function also reveals vehicles that have been recalled but not repaired within the prior fifteen years.

Until your vehicle has been repaired, GM recommends that you take the following actions:

• Do not park the Chevy Bolt inside the garage or near the home after charging
• Avoid charging the battery pack beyond 90%
• Avoid depleting the battery below 70 miles of its remaining range

In addition, if you think your vehicle might qualify as a lemon, you should consider consulting with a lemon law attorney who can best advise you regarding your legal rights and remedies.

Contact an Experienced Southern California Lemon Law Attorney

If you purchased a Chevy Bolt and believe you may be entitled to a remedy under California’s Lemon Law, a knowledgeable lemon law attorney can help. Not only can a lemon law attorney help you navigate the legal process of filing a claim, but they can also work to ensure you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you deserve. The Ledbetter Law Firm offers reliable representation for consumers who have been inconvenienced by the hassle of purchasing a lemon and strives to secure positive outcomes in their cases.

The Ledbetter Law Firm assists people in Southern California who have experienced lemon law issues with their vehicles in obtaining favorable outcomes in their cases. With offices conveniently located in Torrance and San Diego, California, telephone and video conferencing options are also available. Call (424) 407-3745 to schedule a consultation with a California Lemon Law attorney today.