Tag Archives: battery fire

Chevy Bolt Battery Replacements Are Slow

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General Motors believes that they have the final resolution for the Chevy Bolt saga by replacing the entire battery system on the Bolts. While the new batteries are starting to make their way into the Chevy dealerships, and into the vehicles, the waitlist is long, and the dealerships are getting limited inventory. One dealership we recently spoke with informed us that due to the physical complications in replacing the batteries, the process is slow, yielding perhaps only one or two vehicles per day. At this pace, the replacement of batteries into all Bolts will take several months.

In the meantime, GM has offered repurchases to many owners of the Bolts, but they’re not following up with consumers with time frames or logistics. While promises are being made, actions are not. And while a case is pending with GM, consumers are still struggling with how to protect themselves from dangerous fires, or something even as simple as where to safely park their Bolt.

We now have a client whose Bolt actually did catch fire in the middle of the night causing the destruction of the vehicle and other property. So, we know first-hand just how dangerous these vehicles are, and the destruction they’re capable of. Please heed all of the warnings GM has given and especially do not park a Chevy Bolt in an enclosed area.

We are still successfully pursuing Bolt cases against GM on a daily basis. For a free consultation, please email attorney Barry Edzant directly at BarryE@valencialaw.com and I will personally discuss your case with you. Be safe!

Tesla Model S and Model X Battery Fire Investigation

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In September 2019, the NHTSA was asked to initiate an investigation into certain Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles that received a revised battery management software update in one or more over-the-air updates from Tesla, beginning in May 2019. The petitioner based his request on vehicle fires that took place worldwide and over the air software updates Tesla made to the Battery Management System (BMS) of certain Tesla vehicles that resulted in loss of available vehicle mileage range and increased charging duration’s.

The five non-crash fires referenced in the petition include two fires that occurred in China in early 2019 involving vehicles that:

  • Had recently completed Supercharging sessions.
  • Were at a high state-of-charge (SOC) of the HV battery.
  • Were parked with the battery cooling system shutoff.
  • Had histories of high-stress usage for the HV batteries.

The three fires that occurred outside China did not involve the same patterns regarding vehicle state and charging history. The two fires that occurred in the United States include one involving a vehicle with no Supercharging history that was driving when the fire occurred and another in which the origin of the fire was external to the HV battery. The fifth fire, which also originated external to the HV battery, involved a vehicle in Germany that had been parked at a low SOC for an extended period. To date, incidents of fires involving parked vehicles with recent Supercharging and histories of high-stress use have only been observed in China, where high-stress use factors appear to be more common.

Given the absence of any incidents in the United States related to fast charging, and the absence of any such incidents globally since May 2019, the petition has been denied. The denial of this petition does not stop the Agency from taking further action if future findings find that a safety defect exists based on additional information received. NHTSA could initiate a recall if they find a defect in the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety.

Chevy Bolt Battery Fire Recall Expansion

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This is an expansion of NHTSA Recall 20V-701 and 21V-560.

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EVs and 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUVs. The high voltage batteries in these vehicles may pose a fire risk when charged to full, or very close to full, capacity.

Defective battery modules will be replaced, but until then, GM advises owners to Activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, charge their vehicle more frequently, avoid depleting the battery to 70 miles range remaining, park outside after charging, and do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight.

Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 13, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 13, 2021. GM’s number for this recall is N212343880 and the latest NHTSA campaign number is 21V-650.

Don’t Park Your Chevrolet Bolt In Your Garage Or Near Structures – Fire Warning

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If you are a Chevy Bolt owner living in California and you received a recall notice for battery fires, you may find it difficult to park your vehicle.

General Motor’s recent recall of certain 2017-2019 Chevy Bolt EVs is caused by the presence of two manufacturing defects in the N2.1 battery cell produced at their Korea facility. The problem is aggravated by charging the battery to a full or nearly full state of charge after it has been substantially depleted. The battery could overheat, emit smoke and catch fire, causing damage to vehicle components and structures around it. As a temporary solution, GM have asked owners to reprogram their hybrid propulsion control module to limit a full charge, but some owners say they are experiencing problems.

The safety recall from the NHTSA states the following:

As an interim remedy, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module to limit full charge to 90%. Until this interim is completed, customers should enable either “Hilltop Reserve” (for 2017-2018 model year vehicles) or “Target Charge Level” (for 2019 model year vehicles) using their vehicle’s infotainment center. These two features will limit the vehicle’s state of charge to 90% until the HPCM2 software re-calibration is applied. If customers are unable to successfully make these changes, or do not feel comfortable making these changes, they will be advised to not park their car in their garage or carport until after they have visited their dealer.

What options does that leave you? Possibly parking your car on the street or driveway which has problems in itself. Most charging cables are not long enough to reach the street, the cables could be damaged or stolen or someone could trip on them. Also in some cities there are restrictions against parking in the street and driveways.

If you own a Chevy Bolt and are concerned, we will be glad to talk with you. Please contact us today at 888-EX-Lemon (888-395-3666) for a free consultation or complete the short form at the top of this page.

GM Software To Prevent EV Battery Fires

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General Motors will be contacting owners of select 2017-2019 model year Chevrolet Bolt EVs previously repaired under National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number 20V-701.

The problem began in October 2020 when the NHTSA started an investigation into owner complaints of battery fires while their Bolt EV was charging. To reduce the risk of fires, GM provided a temporary fix in which the the vehicle’s software was updated to limit it’s charge to 90% of the battery’s capacity.

As part of the final repair, dealers will use diagnostic tools to identify potential battery anomalies and replace battery module assemblies as necessary. The fix will also include the installation of advanced onboard diagnostic software that detects potential issues related to changes in battery module performance. Customers will need to visit their Chevrolet EV dealer to have the service procedure performed. Once the remedy procedure is completed, the dealer will remove the 90% state of charge limitation and return the battery to its previous 100% charging capability.

Customers of 2019 model year Chevrolet Bolt EVs will be able to have this fix performed starting on April 29 and customers who own 2017 and 2018 model year Bolt EVs will be eligible to have the remedy performed by the end of May. GM will be making this diagnostic software standard in the 2022 Bolt EV and EUV future electric vehicles. According to GM, if a problem is diagnosed, the software will warn the driver with an illuminated warning lamp on the gauge cluster and drivers would need to have the vehicle towed to a dealer for repairs.

Chevrolet Bolt EV Battery Problem

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An investigation into battery fires in certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs has resulted in a recall involving approximately 50,000 vehicles.

According to the defect report, if the batteries in certain vehicles within this population are charged to full capacity or close to full capacity, they could be at risk of overheating and catching fire. GM is still investigating the cause of the problem and will notifying owners of an interim repair where the hybrid propulsion control module will limit the battery to a 90% charge. A final remedy is still under development.

Owners are advised to activate either the Hill Top Reserve (2017 and 2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature in their vehicle to limit the charge level to 90%, or park outside, until the software update is completed.

GM’s number for this recall is N202311730 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-701.

Chevrolet Bolt Investigated For Battery Fires

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have opened an investigation into certain 2017-2020 Chevrolet Bolt electric cars after several complaints of vehicle fires. The NHTSA says it was contacted by two owners who reported that their Bolt EVs caught fire while parked and unattended. In one case the vehicle was plugged into a charger in the owner’s driveway when it caught fire. The second vehicle was parked but not plugged in approximately 20 minutes after being driven, before it caught fire. Additional research by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) found a third vehicle, a 2017 Bolt EV with a similar burn patterns.

In all three cases, fire damage appeared to come from the battery compartment with fire passing into the passenger compartment from under the rear seat. The root cause of the fires is unknown and the ODI is opening a “preliminary evaluation” into the matter. If the investigation results in a vehicle recall, approximately 78,000 Chevy Bolt EVs would be affected.

BMW Hybrid Battery Overheating

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BMW North America will be asking the owners of certain 2020-2021 BMW and MINI hybrid cars and SUVs, to return to their dealerships to repair a manufacturing problem affecting the high voltage battery.

Vehicles Affected Include
2021 BMW 330E
2020-2021 BMW X3
2021 BMW X5
2020 Mini Countryman

The high voltage battery in these vehicles may not have been produced according to specification. According to the defect report, an incomplete cleaning during the battery module welding process could result in welding beads left within the battery assembly. Depending upon the size, shape and position of the beads, the beads could develop a short between the cells. In rare cases, the short circuit could lead to a thermal event and a vehicle fire.

Drivers will be alerted of a problem through a warning message displayed in the instrument cluster.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their BMW dealership to have the battery modules inspected and replaced as necessary. The NHTSA recall number is 20V-495.