Technology GM Recalls Every Chevy Bolt Ever Made Over Faulty Batteries

[The Helper]

GM has announced that it is recalling every Chevrolet Bolt made to date, including new electric utility vehicle models, over concerns that a manufacturing defect in the cars' LG-made batteries could cause a fire.

The Bolt was first recalled in November after five cars that hadn’t been in crashes caught fire. After investigating the problem further, Chevy recalled a second batch in July. The problem was traced to two manufacturing defects that could occur simultaneously. The defects—a torn anode tab and folded separator—created conditions that could lead to a short in affected cells. So far, the company has identified 10 fires that involve faulty batteries, according to an AP report.

This third and latest recall includes 73,000 Bolts made from 2019 to 2022, the current model year, and brings the total recall to nearly 142,000 cars, with over 100,000 having been sold in the US. GM estimates that the initial recalls will cost $800 million, and it expects the new one to add $1 billion to the total. GM said it will be seeking reimbursement from LG.

To fix the problem, the automaker will replace the vehicles’ batteries, a costly and laborious procedure that will take some time. Until replacement batteries are ready and service appointments can be scheduled, GM has recommended that Bolt owners park their vehicles outside and limit their battery’s state of charge to 90 percent or lower. The company also recommended not letting the estimated range dip below 70 miles. GM says it is working with LG Chem to ramp up production of the replacement cells.

GM recalls every Chevy Bolt ever made, blames LG for faulty batteries

Two simultaneously occurring defects will cost $1.8 billion to fix.

arstechnica.com

 

[Ghan]

This is one thing that people will point to as an argument against electric cars, however, don't forget that many ICE vehicles catch fire every year as well. Gasoline is perhaps even more flammable than batteries, but we have found engineering ways to mitigate this risk substantially. The same needs to be done here. I don't doubt that GM gave a lot of thought to this problem during design, but sometimes the unexpected hits and that's understandable.

A recall sounds like the right move.

 

[The Helper]

I don't hold this against electric cars I expect new technology is going to have some problems like this based on the recalls that happen on regular gas cars. Just ALL of them for the Bolt.