California Lemon Law News + Info

Chevy Bolt Battery Fire Repair Prompts Class Action Lawsuit

An interim software update meant to prevent Chevrolet Bolt battery fires has prompted a class action lawsuit alleging that the repair causes a severe loss in battery power.

A single firefighter uses a hose to put out two car fires. The vehicle at the bottom corner of the image has flames throughout its cabin. However, the second vehicle in the middle of the image is completely engulfed in flames. General Motors recalled 2017–2019 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles because fully charged or close to fully charged batteries were associated with five non-crash vehicle fires. Affecting 50,925 vehicles in the United States, the recall requires a software update that restricts the vehicles’ charging capacity to 90%.

The class action complaint alleges that this so-called “fix” reduces the amount of mileage that vehicles would have otherwise traveled on a full battery.

Not only that, the complaint alleges that General Motors overstated the battery capacity to begin with.

The battery label states that the battery has a capacity of 57kWh, or 57 kilowatt-hours.

However, General Motors allegedly claims that the Chevy Bolt has a capacity of 60kWh.

For reference, 2017–2019 Chevrolet Bolt EVs have an MPGe (miles per gallon-equivalent) of 128 (city)/110 (highway) and spends 28 kWh per 100 miles, according to fueleconomy.gov. These vehicles were advertised to have a range of 238 miles on a full charge.

Source: CarComplaints.com


Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2019–Present vehicle models only.

However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.

To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.

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