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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Richard230 on September 22, 2021, 03:26:40 AM

Title: Chevy Bolt battery news
Post by: Richard230 on September 22, 2021, 03:26:40 AM
Here is the latest news regarding Chevy Bolt batteries and Chevy's plans to replace them or otherwise fix the problem.
Title: Re: Chevy Bolt battery news
Post by: Crissa on September 22, 2021, 03:30:04 AM
Here's some coverage that Transport Evolved rushed out last night:

https://youtu.be/4B6Ug3O_5Ek

-Crissa
Title: Re: Chevy Bolt battery news
Post by: DonTom on September 22, 2021, 10:04:59 AM
Looks like there will be a total of 3 recalls, two to go for me.


-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Chevy Bolt battery news
Post by: JaimeC on September 22, 2021, 06:05:16 PM
DAMN!  And to think that at one time I was considering buying on of those things...
Title: Re: Chevy Bolt battery news
Post by: DonTom on September 22, 2021, 09:22:46 PM
DAMN!  And to think that at one time I was considering buying on of those things...
Well, I did and was most likely the last person in the USA to buy a Chevy Bolt before the recall.


I am very happy with the car as is, none of the recall issues are a big deal to me. But I realize they could be to some people, such as the much reduced max range for now. But I would be charging the car the way they recommend for now even if they never had a recall.


I had the first recall done, which is to prevent me from charging above 90% when I was only charging to 85% anyway.  But they also don't want us to get down to too low of a SOC. So the range is reduced on both ends. Still more than enough range for the way I use mine.


The ones that caught fire were charged from near empty to full. I avoid both extremes anyway with my normal use.


But I hear there will be two more recalls done and then the first recall work will be changed back to normal so we will be able to charge to 100% SOC.


-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Chevy Bolt battery news
Post by: Richard230 on November 01, 2021, 07:51:21 PM
My newspaper yesterday contained an article written by Jamie L. LaReau and published by the Detroit Free Press titled: "LG will reimburse GM $1.9 billion for cost of Chevy Bolt battery recall". That should give you the gist of the report. Here are more details contained in the article:

Besides providing owners of 2017-2019 Bolts five new enhanced battery modules, they will also receive an eight-year, or 100K mile warranty on the new battery packs.

Owners of the 2020-2022 models (like DonTom) will also get new modules, unless GM can finish developing software first that will allow it to identify whether they have defective modules that need replacing.

GM and LG confirmed the root cause of the reported battery fires are two manufacturing defects know as a torn anode and a folded separator. Both defects must be present tin the same battery cell for a fire to occur.

So far, GM confirms that 13 Bolts have caught fire while parked, causing three injuries. Eleven of those fires were in the U.S.
Title: Re: Chevy Bolt battery news
Post by: DonTom on November 02, 2021, 06:36:06 AM
My newspaper yesterday contained an article written by Jamie L. LaReau and published by the Detroit Free Press titled: "LG will reimburse GM $1.9 billion for cost of Chevy Bolt battery recall". That should give you the gist of the report. Here are more details contained in the article:

Besides providing owners of 2017-2019 Bolts five new enhanced battery modules, they will also receive an eight-year, or 100K mile warranty on the new battery packs.

Owners of the 2020-2022 models (like DonTom) will also get new modules, unless GM can finish developing software first that will allow it to identify whether they have defective modules that need replacing.

GM and LG confirmed the root cause of the reported battery fires are two manufacturing defects know as a torn anode and a folded separator. Both defects must be present tin the same battery cell for a fire to occur.

So far, GM confirms that 13 Bolts have caught fire while parked, causing three injuries. Eleven of those fires were in the U.S.
I hear the new battery packs will also give about 8% more range and that the work to replace the battery packs has already started.


I now  have my  Bolt here in the garage, which they don't recommend. But I do not charge it while I sleep!  I have been using my Tesla now that the the snow season will soon be coming to the Reno area.


I am planning on a trip to Florida in my new motorhome (with my Zero DS, of course) and I assume they will get around to  me for the recall  when I am a few thousand miles away.


I was planning on leaving for that trip today, but I have the RV in the shop for them to fix a few minor problems I discovered during  my maiden voyage. I could get it back any day and then I am on my way the next day or so.


I thought I heard the recall will be both, the software as well as the new battery packs. But I have no checked the Chevy Bolt forum lately. I have been mostly driving my Tesla lately.


-Don- in rainy Auburn, CA