Chevrolet Bolt owner worried electric car could be fire hazard following recall
General Motors issued a second recall for it’s popular Chevrolet Bolt last month following a similar recall to install software updates in November of 2020.
About 69,000 of the electric vehicles are being recalled worldwide, including 8,000 in Canada following nine fires.
The latest one happened when a Bolt that had been reprogrammed following the earlier recall went up in flames in Thetford, Vermont July 1, 2021.
Scott Jefferd of Stoney Creek, Ontario has a 2018 Chevy Bolt and said he loves the car but worries it could be a potential fire hazard.
“I'm obviously concerned for the safety of my family and the people around us," said Jefferd who added “I really like the car but the chance it could catch on fire and cause harm is a major drawback.”
GM Canada told CTV News in a statement that, “As part of GM’s commitment to safety, experts from GM and LG have identified the simultaneous presence of two rare manufacturing defects in the same battery cell as the root cause of battery fires in certain Chevrolet Bolt EVs. As a result, GM will be conducting a new recall for the previous population of Bolt EVs (2017-2019) to address the risk of battery fires in these vehicles.”
As part of the recall, GM will replace defective battery modules in the recall population and will notify customers when replacement parts are ready. It’s asking customers to take the following steps until the new remedy has been performed.
“Customers should, whether or not they received the current software update, return their vehicle to the 90 per cent state of charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve mode (for 2017-2018 model years) or Target Charge Level (for 2019 model year) mode. If customers are unable to successfully make these changes, or do not feel comfortable making these changes, we are asking them to visit their dealer to have these adjustments completed.”
GM added that “customers charge their vehicle after each use and avoid depleting their battery below approximately 70 miles (112 km) of remaining range, where possible” and that “out of an abundance of caution, customers should continue to park their vehicles outside immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging overnight.”
Jefferd says it's a huge drawback if he can't charge his Bolt in his garage while he is sleeping.
“One of the selling features of battery electric vehicles is you drive them home into your garage and plug it into your house so when you wake up in the morning you are ready to go” said Jefferd.
“I'd like to have the battery replaced with one they are a lot more confident in so that it's not likely to catch fire," Jefferd added.
There's no evidence that electric cars catch on fire more often than gasoline powered vehicles, but when they do the battery packs burn much hotter and they're more difficult to put out.
General Motors said customers who have not visited their dealer to receive the advanced diagnostics software should visit their nearest Chevrolet EV dealer to obtain the update. After obtaining the software, customers should still limit their state of charge to 90 per cent and otherwise follow the advice above.
For more information on the recall check www.chevy.com/boltevrecall or contact the Chevrolet EV Concierge 1-833-EVCHEVY or contact their preferred Chevrolet EV dealer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in
The United Nations food agency warned Sudan's warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they don't allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.