Victoria, British Columbia — Just when General Motors thought it was clear of the Chevrolet Bolt controversy, the OEM has yet another class-action lawsuit levelled at it, this time from a class of concerned Canadians.
The suit currently before British Columbia’s Supreme Court alleges that GM was aware of the defects present in the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV (electric utility vehicle). One of the suit’s plaintiffs claims that GM went forward with marketing and sales of the Bolt, despite having knowledge of flaws in the vehicle’s battery pack “since at least 2018.”
GM is also being accused of misleading drivers by suggesting a software update would fix the defect, despite having the knowledge that a battery replacement would be required.
This latest suit was filed on behalf of any Canadian who bought or leased a 2017 through 2022-model-year Bolt EV or a 2022 Bolt EUV.
“GM and GM Canada have been aware of issues affecting the batteries in the Class Vehicles since at least 2018,” the suit reads.
“Nonetheless, GM and GM Canada have marketed and sold Chevrolet Bolts with the knowledge that they contain defective and potentially dangerous batteries without warning customers or authorized dealerships of the issue.”
Last fall, GM spent $1.8 billion (USD) to recall 142,000 Chevrolet Bolts in the U.S. for a defect in the vehicle’s battery pack that could start a fire.
The class-action lawsuit was filed to the British Columbia Supreme Court as G. W. Kent Scarborough, v. General Motors LLC, General Motors of Canada Company.
