News about Bolt Battery Fires

[BoltEV]

And the lawyers get fat and happy. F'king lawyers.

Next time one of your neighbors, gets rear-ended by a drunk driver, be sure to convince them that they needn't hire one of those "f'king lawyers!"

They will be much better off to negotiate directly with the insurance company!

BTW: What do YOU do for a living?

[Norton]

Hi all,

While we definitely understand that the interim repair and 90% charge limitation is not ideal, we assure you that our engineers are working around the clock to identify a permanent remedy and we expect to have the permanent remedy available after the first of the year, 2021, as mentioned above. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this recall in the meantime, you are also welcome to reach out to our Customer Care Team by emailing socialmedia@gm.com.

Elizabeth W.

It's great to see you guys here on this forum!
I'd give the engineers a break. Do you really need a 3rd shift of "engineers working around the clock"?
They work better in groups, exchanging ideas and data.

I had interaction with your team when I was asking if the 'DCFC Robustness' service bulletin was free and if it can be included in the current Fire Recall?

I now realize there is one SW level that can be loaded.

This is what I posted on the other forum on this subject:

The question is what are the DCFC parameters within the Fire Recall SW?
Legacy or the new DCFC update?

It would save time for everyone if the Chevy EV Concierge/Tech Support staff had a script explaining that,
"The DCFC Parameters are the latest available with the Fire Recall".

This is just for folks like me that call up asking for Both Updates.

[TheLondonBroiler]

I had interaction with your team when I was asking if the 'DCFC Robustness' service bulletin was free and if it can be included in the current Fire Recall?

It would save time for everyone if the Chevy EV Concierge/Tech Support staff had a script explaining that,
"The DCFC Parameters are the latest available with the Fire Recall".

This is just for folks like me that call up asking for Both Updates.[/color]

I second this. It would probably go a long way with owners like me, who at the moment aren't likely to purchase their next EV from GM. Goodwill actions speak louder than words.

[BoltEV]

I’m already on my 3rd Chevy PEV: Volt and two Bolt EV’s) and cannot wait for next years EUV

[charge]

Hi everyone,General Motors has decided to voluntarily recall select 2017-2019 model-year Chevrolet Bolt EVs with high voltage batteries produced at LG Chem’s Ochang, Korea facility that may pose a risk of fire when charged to full, or very close to full, capacity. While our investigation into this condition continues, GM has developed software that will limit vehicle charging to 90% of full capacity to mitigate this risk..

I just found out about Tesla's "90% Range Solution". Didn't know about this:
"The owners believe the software update was a way for Tesla to avoid a recall, since it may take care of the potential battery fire issue. However, they believe it's unfair that their Teslas' range was reduced. "
https://insideevs.com/news/454662/tesla ... etigation/
https://insideevs.com/news/364266/tesla ... ng-update/

GM is taking the high road here with admitting a problem may exist & doing a recall. The 90% range limitation looks similar to what Tesla is doing, but not admitting to. Tesla just updates the car's software over the internet (telematics) without admitting why they just cut the range down to 90%. As I said in previous posts, its unfair when a person pays X dollars for an EV with Y range claims, and the company reduces it down to 90%. Apparently, many Tesla owners & consumer advocates agree. Again, like pointed out earlier, Ford gave owners $550 for a minor EPA MPG disappointment, and I predict GM will end up doing that (maybe $1k though here) for reduced range.

[sibelman]

I have rarely disabled "hilltop reserve" in the past, hoping that this feature also extends battery life. After receiving word of the fire risk and recall, I of course leave this 90% limit enabled.

While waiting for a better fix than limiting charge to 90%, why bother getting Chevy's "temporary" preventive software change? Why not just leave "hilltop reserve"enabled until any actual fix becomes available?

[BoltEV]

GM does not want to be liable if you choose to turn hilltop reserve off.

So if you purposely do not get the recall update and your Bolt EV bursts into flames and causes property damage and forbid injuries or death, you assumed that risk and you are liable.

There foregoing is my informational opinion for discussion purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice which should only be dispensed by your attorney.

[sibelman]

Thanks for the advice (with disclaimer), BoltEV. I'm the foolish ex-lawyer who has himself as a client, but I consider litigation unlikely.

Assumption of risk? GM's doubtless-top-notch lawyers would have a tough row to hoe if I do manually what they would've done with software. I suppose there's a bit of risk in skipping their CYA software fix. But my sense is that the physical and legal risk only becomes substantial if I turn off "hilltop reserve" and charge above 90%. Given the fire risk, I have no plan to do so; and it's basically impossible to do it accidentally.

However, I appreciate your words of caution. you #$%^ lawyer, you I may knuckle under yet.

[BoltEV]

But my sense is that the physical and legal risk only becomes substantial if I turn off "hilltop reserve" and charge above 90%.

Or the risk that the software somehow resets itself back to 100% and you’re forced to prove otherwise with evidence reduced to ashes!

But that is easy for me to say with my battery manufactured in Michigan.

I will say, however, that I never used hilltop reserve in my leased 2017 Bolt EV, but turn it down to 93% (better control in the 2019 I purchased) so as to have immediate regenerative braking when I was driving Uber full time before the pandemic.

[sibelman]

...prove otherwise with evidence reduced to ashes!

There, indeed, is the rub. That risk vs. the inconvenience of doing the recall (and losing, maybe permanently, the option to take the risk of 100% charging if I have an unexpected crisis).

fwiw, I've looked under the rear seat and seen no charring or other wackiness -- I (mis?)understand that's where the fires are thought to start.