Chevrolet Bolt Recall and Class Action - October 2023 Update

A lot has been written about the 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt and there is still much ambiguity as to what is going on with the pending nation-wide class action, along with an attempt from GM to right their wrongs (potentially for their own benefit.)

Here’s what we know so far.

Several 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt owners may have received a letter in the mail notifying them that their Bolt is involved in Safety Recall #N212345944. Furthermore, if the vehicle is taken to a dealership prior to 12/31/2023 and the “Software Final Remedy” is applied to the Bolt, then the Chevrolet Bolt owner will receive a $1,400 Visa eReward card. HOWEVER, to receive that $1,400, you have to login to the Chevrolet website (http://www.chevy.com/boltcompensation). While there, you have to agree to the terms and conditions, which includes a release of claims. This is exactly what GM did earlier regarding the 2017-2022 Chevrolet Bolts and you can read about that here.

What does the release do?

That’s hard to say. More likely than not, if it’s similar to the earlier release, it will extinguish or ‘release’ any claims one has under the lemon law, meaning that Bolt owners can’t bring an individual claim in court and try to get more than the $1,400.00 GM is offering here. Tech website The Verge says:

However, it’s not without strings attached. According to the terms and conditions of the offer, owners have to agree to “forever waive” rights to sue or join a future class action lawsuit regarding battery issues “known or unknown.” Should the upcoming class action settlement amount exceed the $1,400 payout from GM, owners can get the difference on top of the initial agreement.

What’s the status of the class action?

Well, according to the court docket for the case and as of 10/26/2023, nothing much has occurred since 4/21/2023, with a protective order being entered in the case. This is in contract to the letter that was sent by GM, who said that a “settlement in principal” was reached. Given the amount of press going out recently, it does seem likely that there is an agreement (probably), but that would still have to be signed off by the judge in the class action and that really isn’t an easy task.

What do we really think is going on?

By installing the ‘final remedy’ software, the new updates will monitor the Chevrolet Bolt battery for anomalies and cap its capacity at 80 percent power for 6,200 miles (similar to how some dealerships run Oil Consumption Tests to see if the engine is consuming too much oil.) Once Bolt owners have taken the $1,400.00, they’ll be able to drive their Bolt at 80 percent capacity for 6,200 miles. After that point, the cap will be lifted if no anomalies are detected on the car’s electric powertrain. If problems are found, the software will let you know that the power pack needs replacing and an additional 8 year warranty will be given on top of the battery replacement.

Chevrolet announced they’re discontinuing the Bolt a few months ago and then announced an redesigned Bolt is coming that uses the company’s Ultium battery. Given the ongoing labor strikes are forcing GM to delay other new EVs like the Chevy Equinox and Silverado, we probably won’t see the next-gen Bolt soon.

If you're in California and you’ve taken your Chevrolet Bolt to a dealership for issues relating to the battery or any warranty condition, we can help you…. AT NO COST TO YOU! Valero Law, APC is a California consumer protection firm dedicated to protecting the lemon law rights of California consumers and ALL cases are taken on a contingency basis, meaning if there is no recovery, there is absolutely no fee to you!