General Motors is once again recalling the Chevrolet Bolt EV because the installation of diagnostic software to address a previous battery-fire recall may have been done incorrectly.
The incorrectly-installed software could fail to prevent battery overheating, which could cause the battery pack to catch fire when charged to full or near-full capacity, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Just 88 different 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV hatchbacks and 19 different Chevrolet Bolt EUV models have this issue.
This is the second recall related to battery diagnostic software in Bolt EV models. GM issued a recall this past July when it internally identified that its service system software would, in some cases, allow a technician to process a vehicle's warranty claim without complete installation of the software.
This time, the recall stems from a customer complaint that a 2022 Bolt EUV remained limited to 80% state of charge after an "evaluation period," and thus past the point where the software should have been restricting charging, GM said in recall paperwork. It attributes this to a "malfunction in the software programming tool," adding that it is not aware of any incidents related to this issue.
Instructions for owners of affected vehicles are the same as the previous software-related recall: Set the target charge level to 90%; avoid depleting the battery below 70 miles of range remaining; park outside after charging; do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight.
Owners will have to take these steps while waiting for an appointment with dealers, who will reinstall the diagnostic software free of charge. GM plans to mail owner notification letters Dec. 16, and owners can contact a dedicated Bolt EV Concierge Team at 1-833-382-4389. GM's reference number for this recall is N242470160.
Like the previous software-related recall, this is a very small subset of GM's massive 2021 battery recall effort, which eventually spanned all 140,000 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models in North America. Many owners of earlier 2017-2019 Bolt EVs ended up with new battery packs, resulting in more driving range than they originally had.
As part of a class-action settlement against GM and battery supplier LG Energy Solution, owners are also likely eligible for $700 to $1,400 in compensation.
The Bolt EV went out of production in December 2023, but as GM reported in July it remained Chevy's top-selling EV for the first half of 2024. GM CEO Mary Barra said earlier this year that when it returns later in 2025 the 2026 Chevy Bolt EV will be the most affordable EV in the U.S.