The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·21V560000·Announced 2021-07-23

GM Recalls 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs for Battery Fire Risk

General Motors is recalling 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs because the high-voltage battery may catch fire when fully charged, increasing injury risk.

NHTSA safety advisory

Park this vehicle outside

NHTSA advises parking it away from buildings and other vehicles until the repair is done — the risk exists even when the vehicle is switched off.

This is the agency’s own advisory, not our assessment. Contact the manufacturer or a dealer, and see the official NHTSA notice for the current guidance.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (high-voltage battery fire risk) which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'Severe' (score 4) involving significant injury risk or structural defects, even without reported fatalities.

Plain-English summary

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV vehicles that were previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-701. The recall addresses a defect in the electrical propulsion system where the high-voltage battery could catch fire when charged to full or nearly full capacity.

A battery fire increases the risk of injury to occupants and others. The source text does not report specific instances of injury or death, but identifies the potential for harm.

Owners are advised to take interim safety steps, including activating the Hill Top Reserve (2017-2018 models) or Target Charge Level (2019 models) feature to limit charge to 90%, charging more frequently, avoiding depleting the battery to 70 miles of range remaining, parking outside after charging, and not charging indoors overnight. GM will replace defective battery modules free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 13, 2021.

The recalled product

Product
CHEVROLET BOLT EV
Brand
CHEVROLET
Manufacturer
General Motors, LLC
Category
Vehicle — Electric Vehicle
Hazard
Affected units
57,414

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • BOLT EV

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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