• The latest recall concerns the failed software fix from the previous Bolt EV fire recall.
• Software fails to prevent battery from overheating
• The recall is limited to 107 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models

General Motors is once again recalling the Chevrolet Bolt EV because the installation of diagnostic software to respond to a previous battery fire recall may have been done incorrectly.

Improperly installed software may not prevent the battery from overheating, which could cause the battery to catch fire when charged to full or near capacity, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Only 88 different 2020-2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV sedans and 19 different Chevrolet Bolt EUV models have this issue.

This is the second recall involving the battery diagnostic software on Bolt EV models. GM has issued a recall last July, when it internally identified that its service system software would, in some cases, allow a technician to process a vehicle’s warranty claim without a full software installation.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV

This time, the recall stems from a customer complaint that a Bolt EUV 2022 remained limited to 80% charge after an “evaluation period”, and therefore beyond the point where the software should have restricted the charge, GM said in recall documents. She attributes this to a “malfunction of the software programming tool”, adding that she is not aware of any incidents related to this problem.

Instructions for owners of affected vehicles are the same as in the previous software-related recall: set the target charge level to 90%; avoid depleting the battery below 70 miles of remaining range; park outside after recharging; do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight.

Owners will need to complete these steps while waiting for an appointment with dealers, who will reinstall the diagnostic software free of charge. GM plans to send notification letters to owners on December 16, and owners can contact a dedicated Bolt EV concierge team at 1-833-382-4389. The GM part number for this recall is N242470160.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Like the previous software-related recall, this is a very small subset of GM’s massive 2021 battery recall effort, which ultimately lasted the 140,000 Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models in North America. Many owners of older 2017-2019 Bolt EVs found themselves with new batteries, allowing them to get longer range than they originally had.

As part of a class action settlement against GM and battery supplier LG Energy Solution, owners are also likely eligible for compensation of $700 to $1,400.

The Bolt EV went out of production in December 2023, but as GM reported in July, it remained Chevrolet’s best-selling electric vehicle for the first half of 2024. GM CEO Mary Barra said earlier this year that when she returns later in 2025, the 2026 Chevrolet Bolt EV will be the most affordable electric vehicle in the United States