Chevy Resumes Bolt Production Following Massive Recall

The Chevy Bolt is back in production after fire risks prompted a massive recall and stalled new vehicles.

General Motors resumed production of the electric vehicles at its Lake Orion Assembly Plant in Michigan in early April, Car and Driver reports. What remains to be seen is whether anyone will buy the cars.

"We are very excited to restart production and we'll continue to balance battery availability for new vehicle production while continuing to prioritize recall repairs,” a Gm spokesman told Car and Driver.

Roughly 140,000 Bolts were recalled for a pair of manufacturing defects in LG’s battery packs that could cause a fire. The move followed several reports of car fires, most or all of which happened while the vehicles were turned off. 

LG agreed last year to pay GM roughly $1.9 billion to cover costs and expenses related to the recall. Now, federal investigators are looking into whether GM and other electric vehicle manufacturers are properly launching recalls when needed.

GM delivered about 9,000 Bolt electric vehicles and electric utility vehicles in the first quarter, according to Car and Driver. It has delivered less than 400 so far this year.

The Bolt recall is not the only safety problem that GM has had on its hands.

Last year, for instance, the company called back roughly 15,000 vehicles because of a fuel pump defect that Ford said could cause cars to unexpectedly stall. The company also recently called back approximately 95,000 sport utility vehicles, citing a problem that could cause their seatbelts to become inoperable.

Know Your Lemon Law Rights

GM is not alone when it comes to defects and recalls. The world’s major auto manufacturers recall millions of vehicles every year, citing a wide range of problems that pose serious safety risks.

The good news: Car owners in California have some valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. 

The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires car manufacturers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. 

The lemon law also forces manufacturers to buy back cars that the companies are unable or simply refuse to fix. That includes covering the car’s purchase price and reimbursing the owner for financing costs and other expenses.

In some cases, a manufacturer can instead offer to replace the vehicle. It is up to the owner, however, to decide whether to accept or reject this alternative arrangement.

Anyone haggling with a car manufacturer over repairs should seek the advice of a seasoned California lemon law attorney. The law requires the carmaker to pick up the tab for certain legal fees incurred by owners while enforcing their rights.

Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney

At Bickel Sannipoli, our California lemon law attorneys have assisted hundreds of clients across the state stuck with defective or malfunctioning vehicles. 

We are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.