2017-2019 Chevy Bolt EV recall - Update* GM has a fix.

Domenick said:
The 2017-2019 Chevy Bolt EV is being recalled because of the five incidents involving fire. The 2020 model year is unaffected.

Immediate action you can take: 2017-18 cars can be set to hilltop reserve, which limits charging to 90 percent of capacity. All vehicles involved in fires had either full or almost full batteries.

GM has set up a webpage regarding the recall: https://my.chevrolet.com/how-to-support/safety/boltevrecall
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Is this recall related to the "First Design Battery" problem?

I post the WebAuto video here posting the concern over the "First Design Battery". Go here to see this video (go to minutes 2:40 to 5:16)

I got the recall notice (NHTSA Recall #20v701 and manufacturer Recall# N202311730). I also determined that I have a "First Design Battery" by the VIN number, according to the video above.

I am at the Chevy dealer right now for a "reprogram the hybrid propulsion control model". I received the recall notice in my email.
 
Interestingly, my 2019's VIN still isn't flagged with the recall on the NHTSA website. I may have one of the first Michigan-built batteries that don't have this issue.
 
I have a 2017 Bolt: I think the problem batteries were built in S Korea and called "first design" batteries. After the VIN split breakpoint, I believe the batteries were made in Michigan and called "second design" batteries. So I am thinking that maybe this recall applies to the "first design" batteries???

The VIN number split was given by a video at the WeberAuto Youtube Channel at

(VIN# Breakpoint 1G1FX6S06H4163254)
 
Interesting, because mine is 1G1FZ6S04K4131128, before that split point (if they're in any way sequential) and yet it doesn't show any recalls.

From looking things up it appears that the original fifth character in the VIN was split between X and W, yet mine is Z. I haven't found a good Bolt VIN decoder.
 
I took my 2017 Bolt into the dealer for the recall update yesterday. I had previously been using hilltop reserve which charged to 87% capacity. Now the hilltop reserve option has been eliminated and when fully charged it now shows 95%. Waiting to hear what others experiences are with the update.
 
Spoonman. said:
Interesting, because mine is 1G1FZ6S04K4131128, before that split point (if they're in any way sequential) and yet it doesn't show any recalls.

From looking things up it appears that the original fifth character in the VIN was split between X and W, yet mine is Z. I haven't found a good Bolt VIN decoder.
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What year is your Bolt? Mine is a 2017 and I think this VIN# applies to 2017's right?
 
Consider that Jesse Ortega (GM's Executive Chief Engineer) said that the recall applies to "certain 2017's through 2019's Chevy Bolts."--notice the word "certain"...not all. His video is on YouTube at

 
Brian Carraher said:
I took my 2017 Bolt into the dealer for the recall update yesterday. I had previously been using hilltop reserve which charged to 87% capacity. Now the hilltop reserve option has been eliminated and when fully charged it now shows 95%. Waiting to hear what others experiences are with the update.
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I just had the update done to my 2017 Bolt and noticed the same thing. Seems odd that I can no longer use Hilltop Reserve, when that was more restrictive than the new 95% limit.
 
"General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling all 2017-2018 and certain 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles. The high voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity." That's the summary on the NHTSA recall page.

Anyways, my 2019 still isn't under recall so I guess I'm home free on this one.
 
Domenick said:
The 2017-2019 Chevy Bolt EV is being recalled because of the five incidents involving fire. The 2020 model year is unaffected.

Immediate action you can take: 2017-18 cars can be set to hilltop reserve, which limits charging to 90 percent of capacity. All vehicles involved in fires had either full or almost full batteries.

GM has set up a webpage regarding the recall: https://my.chevrolet.com/how-to-support/safety/boltevrecall
Click to expand...
GetOffYourGas said:
I just had the update done to my 2017 Bolt and noticed the same thing. Seems odd that I can no longer use Hilltop Reserve, when that was more restrictive than the new 95% limit.
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Same here. Brought my 2018 Bolt into the dealer. Since I bought the vehicle almost 2 years ago, have been using hilltop setting on the General principle of avoiding full charge. Tonight found that the car was charged to 94% - as report on the app and by the car’s info graphics. WTF, I thought the whole point of the software patch was to cap charge at 90% ?!!
 
Just open the “myChevrolet” app; it will automatically show whether or not your Bolt is marked for recall.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
GM has set up a webpage regarding the recall: https://my.chevrolet.com/how-to-support/safety/boltevrecall
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It is completely disappointing (but not surprising) that GM has been so lax on giving Bolt owners regular updates on the recall. But frankly, I expected this type of passive response from a major American car company. They're all terrible at the EV game - GM and Ford each have ONE EV, both in limited supply, meanwhile Chrysler is putting HEMI's in minivans (dear God...).

Meanwhile GM says they're going all EV by 2035. Anybody believe that?? And if you do, why would you think they're gonna do any better than this?

You're setting the tone right NOW, General Motors. And it's not a good look.
 
rgmichel said:
Its going to be interesting to see if and how this will be fixed, but I still LOVE my Bolt.
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I love my Kona too. That is when she is not waiting for a charge controller first (2weeks) , new battery second and special tools to install it (3 months) and NOW are you ready? Waiting for some "one time use" bolts - so far two weeks - which are requeired to fasten the battery to the body. Complaining about GM? You are kidding.
 
Lars said:
I love my Kona too. That is when she is not waiting for a charge controller first (2weeks) , new battery second and special tools to install it (3 months) and NOW are you ready? Waiting for some "one time use" bolts - so far two weeks - which are requeired to fasten the battery to the body. Complaining about GM? You are kidding.
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Didn't did not understand the last half of Lars' post, but I am sorry this Kona has been so much trouble. I have had no trouble at all with my 2017 Bolt the whole time I have had it. The recent restriction to less than full charge did not affect me yet, as I always used Hilltop reserve anyway. The only times I have not used Hilltop reserve is on vacation after each overnight 240 volt charge to maximize range out the door next morning to allow a 400+ mile drive. In general the 238 mile range of the 2017 Bolt is more than adequate for >95% of my year round driving.
 
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