Chevy expands Bolt battery fire recall to include 72,000 more EVs and EUVs

Chevrolet's battery fire recall for its Bolt EVs just got so much worse.

The automaker announced Friday that it will be recalling an additional 72,000 cars, including more 2019 Bolt EVs and 2020-2022 Bolt EVs and EUVs. The EUVs are Chevy's brand new SUV-sized Bolts; GM had high hopes for the car with a hands-free driving feature as it innovated its Bolt line.

The expanded effort comes after Chevy recalled about 68,000 2017-2019 Bolt EVs in November. Chevy rolled out a software fix for those cars in June, but some fixed Bolts' batteries continued to catch fire. Earlier this week, Chevy announced it would be replacing battery modules, which is where battery cells sit, in the cars, but not offering entirely new battery packs. It plans to extend the same recourse to the new batch of EVs and EUVs included in the broadened recall.

Behind the scenes, Chevy has been offering buybacks to some EV owners. But the process has been handled on a case-by-case basis, frustrating confused customers who want their money back.

Chevy has spent $800 million so far on the recall effort. Widening the recall to 140,000 vehicles will cost the company $1 billion, according to the announcement.

The total recall now eclipses that of Hyundai, which this year recalled 82,000 Konas and Ioniq EVs over battery fires as well. Hyundai shelled out $900 million for that effort. Both companies used LG lithium ion batteries.

At first, Chevrolet officials thought only vehicles with batteries built in an LG plant in South Korea were

While gas-powered cars' batteries catch on fire more often than EV batteries, EV battery fires like those in Bolts and Teslas boomerang around the internet. The battery is an important element to EV adoption as car buyers consider range anxiety and battery replacement costs down the line.

As part of its plan to replace the battery modules, Chevy is promising an 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty on the new parts. Chevy offered 8-year warranties on its Bolt EV batteries previously.

“As leaders in the transition to an all-electric future, we know that building and maintaining trust is critical. GM customers can be confident in our commitment to taking the steps to ensure the safety of these vehicles.” 

This story is developing.

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