GM Recalling All Chevy Bolts

[vinny2487]

As the title says, GM is recalling all Chevy Bolts due to battery fires.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/20/gm-...expand-chevy-bolt-ev-recall-due-to-fires.html

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[Kabish]

Ouch....

 

[AZBill]

I have a 2017, the last two fires (a 2019 and 2020) were with US made batteries. My battery was made in Korea.

Just be aware, Mach E has LG batteries and a VW ID3 with LG batteries just burned in Europe.

All Hyundai Konas (batteries made in China by LG) had been recalled, as well as battery storage systems produced by LG.

 

[Chudsaviet]

I have a 2017, the last two fires (a 2019 and 2020) were with US made batteries. My battery was made in Korea.

Just be aware, Mach E has LG batteries and a VW ID3 with LG batteries just burned in Europe.

All Hyundai Konas (batteries made in China by LG) had been recalled, as well as battery storage systems produced by LG.

Danger depends not only on battery manufacturer, but also on vehicle construction, charging algorithms and thermal management. If we don't see Mach-E spontaneous combustion so far - we shall not worry.

 

[AZBill]

Danger depends not only on battery manufacturer, but also on vehicle construction, charging algorithms and thermal management. If we don't see Mach-E spontaneous combustion so far - we shall not worry.

The root cause of the fires are defects in the cells themselves, nothing to do with charging or BMS.

 

[GuliblGuy]

Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts!

 

[Mach-Lee]

https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm...tent/Pages/news/us/en/2021/aug/0820-bolt.html

Well we finally know what the two defects are, a torn anode tab and folded separator, sometimes in the same cell. This comes after the fire of a 2020 model a few days ago, which was thought to be safe with updated batteries until today. GM previously claimed they would be able to find defective cells non-destructively with diagnostics—it appears it is now impossible to identify defective batteries preemptively and all must be replaced.

124,000 Bolts are now recalled. In the meantime owners must keep the battery between 70 miles (roughly 30%) and 90% to reduce stress on the cells, which limits their range to about 140 miles. They must also park outside after charging in case a fire starts.

Really hoping this issue doesn't affect the Mach-E or VW since LG also supplies our cells. It's probably good advice to follow similar battery limits (20-90%) as a general guideline most of the time to minimize any potential risks.

 

[AZBill]

https://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm...tent/Pages/news/us/en/2021/aug/0820-bolt.html

Well we finally know what the two defects are, a torn anode tab and folded separator, sometimes in the same cell. This comes after the fire of a 2020 model a few days ago, which was thought to be safe with updated batteries until today. GM previously claimed they would be able to find defective cells non-destructively with diagnostics—it appears it is now impossible to identify defective batteries preemptively and all must be replaced.

124,000 Bolts are now recalled. In the meantime owners must keep the battery between 70 miles (roughly 30%) and 90% to reduce stress on the cells, which limits their range to about 140 miles. They must also park outside after charging in case a fire starts.

Really hoping this issue doesn't affect the Mach-E or VW since LG also supplies our cells. It's probably good advice to follow similar battery limits (20-90%) as a general guideline most of the time to minimize any potential risks.

I hope it does not affect the Mach E either, but Kona batteries had the same, or nearly the same defect, folded anode is what Hyundai found.

 

[SnBGC]

......

Really hoping this issue doesn't affect the Mach-E or VW since LG also supplies our cells. It's probably good advice to follow similar battery limits (20-90%) as a general guideline most of the time to minimize any potential risks.

Strongly agree. That is why my EVs park outside as well.

Well, to be honest......I have other cars that are stored in the garage so if I had the space....they would probably get parked inside as well. Maybe for once it's a good thing that I only have a 2 car garage.

 

[GuliblGuy]

This is bad, and not just for GM and Bolt owners, but everyone.

Gonna hurt public trust in EV's.

 

[Chudsaviet]

This is bad, and not just for GM and Bolt owners, but everyone.

Gonna hurt public trust in EV's.

This was gonna happen. If not with GM - then with other manufacturer.

 

[macchiaz-o]

I hope the returned battery packs will be carefully torn down, inspected, and reused or recycled as needed.

 

[theo1000]

Hmm! so here is the separator for the Mach-E. the foam stuff bottom right.
Edit. Not the separator which is inside the cell.

Mach-E vs Bolt Anode.

Anode collector Bolt in green circuit board on top, Ribbon cable MachE below.

Taken from the Munro video who I frown upon normally but... ?‍

 

[theo1000]

The root cause of the fires are defects in the cells themselves, nothing to do with charging or BMS.

To be precise the assembly of the cells. The cells need to expand and contract a little. The folded separator causes puncture which hits the separated anode and causes fire.

Seems all battery manufacturers are frantically revising their QC to check for folded separators and anode separation of any kind....

 

[macchiaz-o]

Hmm! so here is the separator for the Mach-E. the foam stuff bottom right.

Mach-E vs Bolt Anode.

Anode collector Bolt in green circuit board on top, Ribbon cable MachE below.

Taken from the Munro video who I frown upon normally but... ?‍

Mr. Munro did not open up a cell to expose the separator, which is wound up between anode and cathode layers inside of each cell.

http://lithiumionbattery.org/activities/separator