RECALL

[trevmar]

Disturbing to read this.......

https://electrek.co/2021/07/08/chevy-bolt-ev-catches-on-fire-after-receiving-both-of-gm-software-fixes/

 

[marspilgrim]

Yes, I hope we find out some details. But it also seems to be another case of someone discharging pretty low fairly often. So that could be a trigger also.

But the main point would still be that the final software update was unaware of a cell problem and didn't warn the owner. Then the "alarm" part didn't happen until the event was taking place so that's basically no help at all.

Closely monitoring the again just when I was beginning to feel safe. I hope the house doesn't burn down before we get some real information from GM. I may need to see what my 2017 is worth on the used market, or see what Carmax will give me for it. If the resale value of a Bolt doesn't now drop to $0.

 

[DaveInAvl]

Apologies if this has been discussed already. Might it be possible that the battery temperature sensor module fails in a way that always indicates that the battery is too cold? This would turn the battery heater on, and leave it on no matter how hot the battery got. Could this induce thermal runaway?

 

[theothertom]

Apologies if this has been discussed already. Might it be possible that the battery temperature sensor module fails in a way that always indicates that the battery is too cold? This would turn the battery heater on, and leave it on no matter how hot the battery got. Could this induce thermal runaway?

I suppose anything is possible, but in my opinion, the separator in the battery is getting compromised (probably from dendrite growth) which causes a short. Then the energy stored in the battery is "dumped" through that small area which causes a fast temperature rise and leads to a fire.
I'm sure GM is vigorously pursuing a solution but they are hampered because the "evidence" was burned in the fire. My guess is they'll wind up replacing the batteries, like Kona did, or offer a new car with a battery made in the US.
Edit: If the sensor is a thermocouple and fails, it will read a high temp, which should turn on battery cooling.

 

[odioc]

Here is a link to WSJ article on the two recent Bolt fires -- Bolts that had been "fixed" https://www.wsj.com/articles/two-fi...rfa7w3slgze&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

 

[trevmar]

In view of this latest from GM they should AT LEAST reimburse me for my increased insurance premium now I can no longer garage the vehicle at night.............

"General Motors has been notified of two recent Chevrolet Bolt EV fire incidents in vehicles that were remedied as part of the safety recall announced in November 2020. Out of an abundance of caution, we are asking owners of 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs who were part of the recall population to park their vehicles outdoors immediately after charging and not leave their vehicles charging overnight while we investigate these incidents.

Customers who have not had the remedy completed should still visit their dealer for the recall remedy while our investigation continues. At GM, safety is our highest priority, and we are moving as quickly as we can to investigate this issue. Customers should visit https://my.chevrolet.com/recalls or contact the Chevrolet EV Concierge 1-833-EVCHEVY or their preferred Chevrolet EV dealer."

 

[DaveInAvl]

I'd sure to see a buyback. I can't park farther than about 13 feet from a structure on my property, and the house is right on the street. The nearest EV certified Chevrolet dealer in the US is 260 miles away. Car was bought in North Carolina, then I moved to far northern Maine. Probably a nearby dealer in New Brunswick, but the Canadian border is still closed..

 

[cubanjimbo]

Hello,

Is there a way of finding out if my 2019 Bolt has the battery that is not made by LG Chem? The sticker shows a manufacturing date of 2/2019.

Not sure if that is still in the "bad lot". When I go to the NHTSA site and put in my VIN, it shows 0 recalls.

Thanks.

 

[BoltEV]

Go here and enter your VIN:

https://my.chevrolet.com/recalls

 

[trevmar]

Some more info on Bolt fires. Time we heard a bit more from GM.........

https://electrek.co/2021/07/28/everything-we-know-about-the-chevy-bolt-ev-fires/

 

[cwerdna]

You can also look at the NHTSA docs submitted by GM. See https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/fire-recalls-timeline.39544/#post-628005.

 

[cwerdna]

Two new docs popped up at NHTSA. There is a stop sale once again (no surprise) on the recalled '17 to '19 Bolts.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCSB-21V560-6354.pdf
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCSB-20V701-6348.pdf

Learned of it via a PM and post at https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/new-second-fire-recall-document-notification-to-gm-dealers-with-interim-procedure-july-2021.39703/.

 

[BoltEV]

How nauseating!

 

[user 1485]

I am not sure dealers will even take a 2017 Bolt EV in trade for a later model. I tried my dealer and asked for a trade in price for my 2017 Bolt for the purchase of an EUV. The salesman said that GM will send out a letter soon with an offer we cannot refuse that is much better than any trade in price a dealer can give. I have not seen such a letter yet. I could not possibly comment further on this other than pure speculation and grief at the possible loss of my beautiful 2017 Bolt EV.

 

[trevmar]

Was your impression that it would be a 'generic' letter from GM, or just a "one-off" letter to you personally that is specific to your circumstances?

Thanks

 

[BoltEV]

Was your impression that it would be a 'generic' letter from GM, or just a "one-off" letter to you personally that is specific to your circumstances?

Thanks

I seem to remember some in California saying that GM was making rather generous offers to rebuy the recalled Bolt EVs with only a mileage charge to date.

If so, it makes me a bit jealous, as a 2019 Bolt EV Michigan battery owner: If I was offered such a deal, I would take it in a flash, and buy a Bolt EUV!

 

[trevmar]

Finally broke down and had our 2017 Bolt "fixed" yesterday, indeed it was like having your pet "fixed" at the vet as you still only get 90% of what you paid for when you started out.........

But interestingly the service guy (far more helpful than the sales guy) told us to call 800-222-1020 for buy-back info...........this then refers you to 833-382-4389 where a rep will give you the standard "abundance of caution" speech

I then persevered long enough and they told me "GM will soon replace the battery packs when the "ion/iron" (sic) batteries are available"........ meanwhile "if you want to rent a loaner from Enterprise, GM will reimburse you up to $46 a day"

Turns out the cheapest Enterprise rental here (CA93455) is $49.99 per day............for a beat-up ICE micro-compact

(And, FWIW, a Tesla model S rental is $1750 per week - no other EV's available for rent currently)

So, GM is up to something..........let's hope it is FINALLY new battery packs for everyone affected.

 

[theothertom]

So, GM is up to something..........let's hope it is FINALLY new battery packs for everyone affected.

Yes, GM is working on this but from what I've read they are going to replace defective modules. I don't know how they know which modules are defective (maybe they can trace modules by date and they know when the "very rare" defect occurred ) but you won't necessarily get a new battery unless all the battery modules are defective.

 

[trevmar]

Now I am reading that

"GM will replace recalled vehicles’ lithium ion battery modules with new lithium ion battery modules. "

(see https://my.chevrolet.com/how-to-support/safety/boltevrecall)

Surely, that implies they will be replaced whether "faulty" or not ???

 

[trevmar]

FINALLY..............

https://insideevs.com/news/527230/gm-replace-bolt-modules-fire/