Owners of Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV vehicles from the 2020 through 2022 model year may be eligible for $1,400 in compensation if they accept an offer from Chevrolet, GM Authority has learned.
Eligibility for the money will depend on installation of advanced diagnostic software in the Bolt unit following the nameplate’s battery recall and the recently completed final fix for the problem.
A GM representative described the offer with the following statement: “GM is announcing a compensation program for 2020-22 Bolt EV/EUV owners upon installation of the final advanced diagnostic software as part of the original battery recall. Owners are eligible to receive a $1,400 Visa eReward card upon installation.”
The representative noted that the offer “applies to Bolt EV/EUV owners in the US only.” They concluded by remarking “we’re grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding.” The $1,400 compensation does come with the condition that owners must agree to waive rights to any future class action lawsuit against the automaker for battery-related issues, aside than the lawsuit GM is currently dealing with. In the FAQ section of the Bolt EV/Bolt EV compensation’s dedicated webpage, the company indicates that if the current settlement amount is higher than $1,400, owners would still receive the difference.
The final fix for the Bolt recall was issued in June 2023. While GM recalled large numbers of the Bolt in response to a fire risk when the vehicles’ high-voltage battery is fully charge, only a portion of the recalled vehicles actually contained defective batteries. The diagnostic software is designed to identify batteries requiring replacement.
The software will limit the maximum charge of the battery on Chevy Bolt units where it is installed to 80 percent initially. This will prevent the fire hazard from a 100 percent charge while the software continues to analyze the battery’s performance during subsequent driving and charging by the vehicle’s owner.
Once the Bolt has been driven at least 6,200 miles, the diagnostic software will have gathered enough data to determine if the battery is defective. Defective batteries will be replaced. For non-defective batteries, the software will remove the 80 percent charge ceiling, enabling the battery to take a full charge again as normal.
The Chevy Bolt remains an extremely popular GM model, leading the Bow Tie to once again push back the final order cycle to November 2nd, 2023. Earlier, the automaker confirmed its plans to bring back the subcompact EV crossover in an overhauled new generation.
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Comments
This is one owner who is not installing the software update on my 2021 Bolt. Love the car, but need the range and not willing to sacrifice 20% of my battery capacity. Will take my chances with the minuscule fire risk. Besides, the length of the software monitoring would take me 1 1/2 years to complete. GM can take the $1400 and shove it where the son don’t shine.
Doesn’t seem right that GM wants to use it’s consumers as a test mule in their evaluation of it’s batteries. As the rush to get EV products on the road and for sale, let’s hope the GM engr’s are doing their homework in lieu to having others “check their homework”.
Don’t buy a Bolt….the main battery is not the only thing that goes bad…the center radio screen goes bad also.
I just purchased a used 2020 Bolt with the software update already installed. Am I eligible for the $1400?
Great question. Did you ever get an answer?
Take the money and run.
This reporting is wrong; GM’s terms clearly state that accepting the $1,400 early settlement payment requires that I “forever waive and release all claims, damages, or causes of action, either known or unknown, regardless of the legal or equitable theory, that I may have now or in the future arising out of or in any way relating to the Alleged Battery Defect or the Battery Recalls, **and including any claims or rights that I may have in connection with the Class Action, including any right to participate as a class member…**”
…there is no exception to waiving rights to and participation in the current lawsuit.
Per the FAQ on bolt.com/boltcompensation:
What happens if more compensation is identified after 12/31/2023? Am I entitled to additional compensation as part of
this class action?
If the final settlement denomination is above the $1,400, the settlement administrator will oversee distribution of any
remaining unpaid compensation at that time.
How do you apply for the reimbursement?