GM Recalls Nearly 69,000 Chevrolet Bolts To Fix Risk Of Battery Fire

General Motor
GM
s is recalling nearly 69,000 Chevrolet Bolts worldwide after reports of five that caught fire and two people who were injured.

The recalled electric vehicles are from the 2017 through 2019 model years and the majority, 50,932, are in the United States. They are powered by LG Chem high-voltage batteries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the battery cell packs, when fully charged, can ignite and catch fire, even if they are turned off, parked and disconnected from a charging unit.

In one of the five reported cases, in Belmont, Mass., a Bolt caught fire in the owner’s driveway. The owner reported to NHTSA that fumes from the fire drifted into the home, causing some occupants to suffer headaches.

Until owners can have them repaired, NHTSA recommends that they are parked outside and away from houses.

GM said it has developed a software solution that will limit vehicle charging to 90% of full capacity. That will reduce the risk of fire until the automaker determines a more permanent repair.

Both fixes will be provided free of charge.

Bolt owners should be able to get the software update at Chevrolet dealers as early as next week.

Not all Bolts are affected by the recall. Owners can go to NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter their vehicle identification number to determine if this recall covers their vehicle.