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GM Extends Chevy Bolt Recall as More Battery Fires Are Reported

Chevy Bolt EV Owners Are Selling Vehicles Back to GM Fearing Battery Fires

General Motors has said it will recall all Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles sold worldwide to fix a battery problem that could cause fires.  According to an Associated Press news article, the recall and other associated reports have raised questions about lithium-ion batteries, which are now used in nearly all brands of electric vehicles. Automakers such as Ford, BMW, and Hyundai have recently issued vehicle recalls for faulty batteries, and the Bolt batteries have been linked with blaze dangers.

Manufacturing Defects Reported

The General Motors recall announced on Aug. 20 adds about 73,000 Bolts from the 2019 through 2022 model years to a previous recall of 69,000 older Bolt vehicles. GM said that the batteries have two manufacturing defects that could cause fires in rare cases. GM has said it will replace battery modules in all vehicles. In older versions, all five modules will be replaced.

AP reports that this latest recall will cost GM about $1 billion, bringing the Bolt battery recalls to about $1.8 billion. GM has said vehicle owners should limit charging to 90% of battery capacity. The Bolt vehicles, including a new SUV, should be parked outdoors until the modules are replaced. The original recall blamed a manufacturing defect at a South Korean factory run by LG Chem, GM’s battery supplier.

However, the company said its investigation has shown that the defects are also possible in batteries made at other sites. Most newer Bolt batteries are made at an LG plant in Michigan. GM issued the first Bolt recall in November after getting reports of five f them catching fire. Two people suffered smoke inhalation, and one house caught fire.

While the company initially acknowledged that it did not know what was causing the fires, it later determined that the batteries that caught fire were near full charge. It traced the fires to a manufacturing defect in battery modules, which could cause a short in a cell that could spark a fire. So far, ten fires involving Bolts have been reported. The company has said it will not produce or sell more Bolts until it is convinced that the problem has been resolved.

Auto Product Liability Issues

Automakers have a duty to manufacture vehicles that are safe for consumers. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a vehicle defect, you may be able to seek compensation for the injuries, damages, and losses caused, including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, property damage, and pain and suffering.

An experienced auto defect lawyer can advise injured victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/technology-joe-biden-business-health-environment-and-nature-bbe51b0c8e644c4448d634fc3c0f3461

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