The Chevrolet Bolt hasn’t had an easy time since hitting the market, getting hit by recall after recall, and unfortunately for some owners, yet another recall has been issued that impacts their vehicles. This is a relatively small one, affecting just 317 Chevy Bolt EVs in the United States.
GM has revealed that certain 2022-2023 Bolt EV models have instrument panels that have been manufactured without the perforation on the underside of the panel cover that allows the passenger-side airbag to deploy. The car manufacturer’s concern is that if this perforation is missing, the passenger-side airbag may not properly deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 317 Chevy Bolt EVs impacted by the recall were manufactured between April 16, 2021 and June 3, 2023.
Read: Next-Gen Chevrolet Bolt Officially Confirmed
GM’s chronology of events states that on June 20, a GM supplier quality engineer was notified by supplier Yanfeng US Automotive Interior Systems that some 2022 and 2023 Bolt EVs may have been built with instrument panels missing the passenger side airbag perforation. GM opened an investigation into the issue on June 23 and worked with suppliers and personnel at its Orion assembly plant to trace the defect to vehicles.
Dealers started to be notified of the recall on August 10 while owners will be notified from September 25. Dealerships will rectify the issue by simply replacing the instrument panel of impacted models.
This recall isn’t quite as serious nor as widespread as the fire-related recalls that have crippled Bolt EV and Bolt EUV sales in recent years. Earlier this month, a Bolt EV involved in the fire recall that had not been repaired spontaneously combusted in Massachusetts. The blaze was so intense that fire crews had to use 11,000 gallons (41,600 liters) of water to extinguish the flames and ensure the car was no longer a fire risk.
