General Motors is providing new software to some vehicle owners of the recalled Chevy Bolts that will remove the parking and charging restrictions on the electric vehicles while the automaker continues to build replacement battery modules for the cars.
According to a report in The Detroit Free Press, all 2017-2022 Bolt EVs and EUVs are under recall for faulty batteries that could pose a fire risk. The recall affects about 140,000 vehicles.
A Temporary Fix for Chevy Bolts
So far, there have been 18 suspected battery fires in Bolt EVs globally. GM has confirmed 15 of them and has said no one suffered major injuries. Al 2017-22 Chevy Bolt EVs and EUVs globally are under recall for defective batteries that pose a fire risk. GM has said it notified owners of 2017 and 2018 Chevy Bolts that new software is available for their vehicles, which will help resolve some of the use restrictions on the cars until they can get the battery replacement modules to fix the fire risk.
The software update is available already for those who own the 2019 model year Chevy Bolts. Owners of 2020 models and later will get the software update sometime in the next 30 days, GM said. When it’s installed, the software update will automatically set the car’s maximum state of charge to 80% versus the full 100%, which may carry more risk.
GM says this will allow vehicle owners to safely charge their vehicles indoors and park indoors after charging. The automaker had been warning vehicle owners against those things during the ongoing recall. They would still need to get the recall completed once the parts become available, GM has said. Many vehicle owners have been reported saying they want GM to buy their cars back because they don’t feel safe driving them, and the automaker has been buying back Chevy Bolts on a case-by-case basis.
Auto Product Liability Issues
Meanwhile, the fires involving Chevy Bolts are still happening. Early this month, a Bolt caught fire right outside a Chevrolet dealership in Clarksville, Maryland, according to a report on Inside EVs. That vehicle apparently belonged to an employee and the vehicle had not had its battery pack replaced as part of the recall. GM is also facing a growing number of Chevrolet Bolt battery class action lawsuits over the defective battery issue.
If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have lost a loved one as a result of these or other auto defects, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to advise you regarding your legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2021/12/15/chevy-bolt-recall-battery-parking-charging-restrictions-software/8906406002/
