GM Recalls Chevrolet Bolt EVs for Fires Again

General Motors (NYSE: GM) is recalling a previous recall on 2017-2023 model Chevrolet Bolt EVs. This recall now includes Bolts previously repaired incorrectly under NHTSA recall number 22V-930. After a crash with seat belt pretensioner deployment, the pretensioner exhaust may ignite carpet fibers near the B-pillar, causing a fire. More than 6700 Bolt EVs are affected by this safety recall.

In the required safety defect report just made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, GM said that Bolts with recall 22V-930 completed by dealerships other than Simpson Chevrolet of Irvine are not affected by this new recall. A GM employee submitted this issue to GM’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program on 29 August 2023, following a dealer report that 66 vehicles that received the recall remedy in GM recall 22V930 at Simpson Chevrolet of Irvine were in fact not repaired.

GM opened a product investigation on 10 October 2023. GM’s investigation reviewed GM service records and identified additional evidence that Simpson Chevrolet of Irvine may have failed to perform the recall repair in connection with GM recall 22V930. In addition, the GM dealer that identified the 66 vehicles included in the original SUFS report subsequently identified additional vehicles serviced by Simpson Chevrolet that were marked closed in GM’s systems but did not receive the recall repair. GM’s field data analysis found no complaints or incidents associated with this safety defect.

On 7 December 2023, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided to conduct a safety recall on all 22V930 repairs closed by Simpson Chevrolet of Irvine through 4 December 2023.

Chevrolet Dealers will inspect both front seat belt pretensioners and, if necessary, install metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust. Some Bolts will also need a pretensioner cover installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge as required by US safety regulations.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 29 January 2024. These vehicles were previously recalled for this same safety defect under recall number 22V-930 and will need to have the new remedy or fix performed. Owners may contact GM EV Concierge at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 / 1-800-833-2438) or Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is N232421970. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov. about NHTSA 22V-930.