GM, Chevrolet Bolt EV Recall..."Battery Fire Risk"

LG Chem High-Voltage Battery Produced in Ochang, Korea Installed

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] General Motors (GM) announced on the 14th that it will conduct a voluntary recall of the Chevrolet Bolt EV.

This recall targets 2017-2019 Bolt EV models equipped with high-voltage batteries from LG Chem produced in Ochang, Korea. GM stated that there is a potential fire risk when the battery is fully charged or nearly fully charged, prompting a proactive recall.

GM is conducting a thorough investigation of the issue and has developed software that limits the vehicle battery charging to 90% of full capacity to reduce the potential fire risk.

Starting with the North American market on the 18th of this month, GM plans to sequentially update the battery software. Furthermore, after continuous investigation, GM intends to provide a final solution to promptly resolve the 90% charging limit software issue for vehicles manufactured after January 1, 2021.

In the meantime, GM has advised customers to change the 'Downhill Setting (2017-18 models)' or 'Target Charge Level Setting (2019 model)' through the in-vehicle charging options until the recall measures are implemented. Changing the settings via the charging options will temporarily limit the vehicle's charging capacity to 90%. GM recommends that customers who are unable or find it difficult to make these changes themselves seek assistance at the nearest dealership and urges not to park the vehicle in a garage until the software update is completed.

Meanwhile, despite no fire incidents caused by similar reasons among Bolt EVs sold domestically in Korea during the relevant period, Korea GM plans to take proactive measures in consultation with relevant authorities for products manufactured during the same period following GM's voluntary recall announcement.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.