California Lemon Law News + Info

Chevy Bolt EV Fires Investigated by Federal Government

Update: The Chevrolet Bolt battery fire investigation has been closed.

Federal authorities are investigating reports that nearly 78,000 model year 2017–2020 Chevrolet Bolt vehicles can catch fire.

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.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that it has three reports of fires starting under the rear seats of parked cars, with one individual suffering smoke inhalation. Fire damage mostly appeared in the battery compartment areas and passenger areas.

From this investigation, NHTSA will determine if a recall is necessary.

In the meantime, General Motors says it will cooperate with federal probes and conduct an internal investigation.

In one March 2019 complaint, a 2018 Bolt owner in Massachusetts reported that their vehicle had been parked in a driveway and plugged into a charger when it burst into flames.

According to the owner’s report, smoke originated from the battery area. Firefighters took three hours to put out the fire.

In another report to NHTSA, an owner of a 2019 Bolt took the car to a private parking lot of a townhouse development, after which a neighbor saw white smoke coming out of the Bolt. Even after firefighters twice put out the fire, the Bolt went up in flames a third time.

Source: Detroit Free Press


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: 2017–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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