Among the most frightening car defects in recent years that have sparked recalls has been the defective battery modules in Chevy Bolt EVs and EUVs. The problem has caused at least a dozen vehicles to catch fire. The cost to General Motors (GM) of the recall is reported to be nearing $2 billion
Now GM and LG (the company that manufactures the batteries for these electric vehicles), are beginning to replace the battery modules. Whether they’ll be able to replace those in the more than 100,000 Bolts sold in the U.S. is still to be seen.
Requests are currently being reviewed on a “case-by-case basis”
Some dealers have speculated that GM may opt to hold a mass buyback program instead. At least publicly, GM is saying that it plans to continue with its replacement of the battery modules. A spokesman for the company acknowledged, “We continue to consider buyback requests on a case-by-case basis.”
Buybacks are one of the options available under the California Lemon Law. At least anecdotally, Californians seem to be having greater success getting buybacks than Bolt owners in other states. One can only speculate whether that’s because of the strength of our state’s lemon law, the large number of EVs in California or possibly GM’s concern that a vehicle fire in a state already devastated by drought and wildfires could end up being the cause of yet another massive fire.
If you believe that you deserve a buyback under the California Lemon Law, it’s wise to learn more about the law and to seek experienced legal guidance.