The US National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has warned owners of 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles to park their cars outside and away from homes until their vehicles have been repaired (again), due to a new recall for the risk of fire.
This applies to all affected vehicles, even if the owner had previous recall repairs completed.
GM has issued a new recall affecting the 50,932 Bolts covered under the original recall announced in November 2020 and revised in May 2021.
NHTSA said it was aware of one fire with the interim remedy and two fires with the ‘final’ remedy.
Due to the risk of fire, vehicle owners should continue to park these vehicles outside, away from structures, and not charge them overnight.
GM is instructing owners of these affected vehicles to set their vehicle to the 90% state of charge limitation either using Hilltop Reserve mode (2017 and 2018 model years) or Target Charge Level mode (2019 model year).
If owners are unable to set their vehicles to the 90% state of charge limitation mode, or if they feel uncomfortable making the change, GM is asking owners to visit a dealer immediately to have the change made.
Owners should also recharge the battery after each use and avoid running down the battery below an estimated remaining 70 mile range where possible.
“NHTSA opened an investigation in October 2020, and continues to evaluate the recall remedies and reported incidents,” it said in a statement.