GM Chevy Bolt EV Fire Recall – N212343880

GM this morning has announced another recall for the 2017-2019 Bolt EV due to the battery fires. While it’s great that they moved relatively quickly, we still have many questions that remain unanswered. We will continue to dig into this and update the story as more information becomes available.

We have a list of all of the Bolt fires here, with as much detail as we know.

Here’s the text of the latest recall:

• GM Recall #: N212343880

• NHTSA # AWAITING #

• Date Issued: Jul 23, 2021

Recall Title:

High Voltage Battery May Melt or Burn

Recall Description:

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2017-2019 model year Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. A certain number of these vehicles were built with high voltage batteries produced at LG Chem’s Ochang, Korea facility that may pose a risk of fire when charged to full, or very close to full, capacity. GM previously recalled these vehicles for this condition. The recall remedy does not appear to have been 100% effective at addressing the safety risk in all vehicles. GM is commencing a new recall to repair or replace the high voltage batteries in the recall population.

Safety Risk Description:

A certain number of these vehicles were built with high voltage batteries produced at LG Chem’s Ochang, Korea facility that may pose a risk of fire when charged to full, or very close to full, capacity. GM previously recalled these vehicles for this condition.

Repair Description:

Dealers will replace [battery packs/cell-module assemblies]. Until the updated recall remedy is performed, customers should take the following interim steps:

1.Owners should return their vehicle to the 90% state of charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve mode (for 2017-2018 model years) or Target Charge Level (for 2019 model year) mode. Owners should make this adjustment whether or not they’ve received the original recall remedy. If an owner is unable to successfully make these changes, or does not feel comfortable making these changes, the owner should visit their dealer to have these adjustments completed.
2.Charge the vehicle after each use and avoid depleting the battery below approximately 70 miles of remaining range, where possible.
3.Park the vehicle outside and not leave the vehicle charging overnight. Owners who have not visited their dealer to receive the original recall remedy should visit their nearest Chevrolet dealer to obtain this important software update, which includes a diagnostic check on the health of their vehicle’s battery system. After obtaining the software, customers should still take the interim steps summarized above.

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Recall Status: INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE