Chevy Bolt EV Battery Settlement: What Owners Need to Know

If you owned or leased a 2017–2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV, you may be entitled to compensation under a $150 million class action settlement resolving claims that General Motors and LG manufactured batteries that posed a serious fire risk. The settlement received final court approval on December 22, 2025, from U.S. District Judge Terrence G. Berg in the Eastern District of Michigan. Here is what you need to know about eligibility, compensation amounts, and your legal rights.

Background: Why Was This Lawsuit Filed?

Beginning in late 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a federal investigation into reports of battery-related fires in Chevrolet Bolt EVs. The batteries at issue were manufactured by LG Energy Solution, a South Korean company and longtime GM supplier. Owners reported that their vehicles caught fire even while parked, turned off, and not actively charging — a condition that made the defect especially dangerous.

Eight separate class action lawsuits were filed in 2020 and 2021 against General Motors LLC and several LG entities, including LG Chem, Ltd., LG Energy Solution, Ltd., and LG Electronics, Inc. A federal judge consolidated those cases into a single proceeding titled In re Chevrolet Bolt EV Battery Litigation, Case No. 2:20-13256, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

GM issued multiple recalls covering approximately 57,000 model year 2017–2019 Chevrolet Bolts and 52,000 model year 2020–2022 units. NHTSA ultimately closed its investigation based on those recall actions, extended warranties, battery replacements, and software updates. Civil litigation, however, continued until the settlement was finalized.

Who Is Covered by the Bolt EV Battery Settlement?

The settlement class includes all persons and entities in the United States who purchased — whether new or used — or leased a model year 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV that was built and shipped to a dealer on or before August 19, 2021, and who have not received a buyback of their vehicle from GM or a GM-authorized dealer.

To verify your eligibility, you can enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into GM's recall website and cross-reference it against the applicable battery recall numbers. The official settlement website is BoltEVBatterySettlement.com.

How Much Can You Receive?

The $150 million common fund covers cash payments to class members, attorney's fees and expenses, settlement administration costs, and service award payments to the named plaintiffs who brought the action on behalf of the class. Compensation amounts vary based on what type of remedy your vehicle received or was eligible to receive.

Class members who had already received GM's voluntary $1,400 e-rewards card under an earlier compensation program will have that amount credited against any software remedy payment. Any excess settlement funds remaining after those credits are distributed to eligible current owners and lessees who filed claims.

The Recall Remedies: What GM Was Required to Provide

Separate from the cash payments, the settlement confirmed that approximately 87,000 class vehicles were eligible for a battery replacement under the Battery Replacement Final Remedy. An additional approximately 22,560 model year 2020–2022 Bolts received the Software Final Remedy — the installation of advanced diagnostic software designed to detect battery anomalies and reduce fire risk. These physical remedies were factored into the settlement's structure and affect how cash payments are calculated for each class member.

GM also agreed to provide ongoing advanced diagnostic software to detect battery issues as part of the non-monetary relief component of the settlement. This commitment addresses one of the core safety concerns at the heart of the litigation: that owners were driving vehicles with no effective early-warning mechanism for battery thermal events.

Legal Basis: Defective Product Claims Against GM and LG

The class action asserted claims rooted in consumer protection law and products liability. Plaintiffs alleged that GM and LG knew about the battery defect prior to the recalls and failed to warn consumers or take timely corrective action. The core theory was that GM placed a product into the stream of commerce — more than 100,000 Bolt EVs — that posed an unreasonable fire risk to consumers, constituting a breach of implied warranty and violations of various state consumer fraud statutes.

Under U.S. products liability law, manufacturers can be held liable when a defect exists in design, manufacturing, or warnings, and that defect causes harm. The Bolt litigation centered primarily on a manufacturing defect theory: the batteries supplied by LG Energy Solution were alleged to contain simultaneous production defects — specifically, a torn anode tab and folded separator — that, when present in the same cell, could cause a thermal runaway event leading to fire.

Neither GM nor LG admitted any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(e), a class action settlement must be approved by the court as "fair, reasonable, and adequate" to the class. Judge Berg's December 22, 2025 final approval order confirmed the settlement met that standard.

Timeline of the Bolt EV Battery Litigation

Should You File an Individual Lawsuit Instead?

Some Bolt owners chose to opt out of the class action in order to preserve their right to pursue individual claims against GM. An individual product liability or consumer fraud lawsuit can sometimes result in higher compensation than a class action settlement — but it also requires hiring your own attorney, investing substantial time, and assuming the risk of receiving nothing if the case is lost.

Opting out of a class action is a significant legal decision. Class members who excluded themselves from the settlement by the opt-out deadline are free to bring their own claims but are no longer entitled to any of the settlement's monetary benefits or recall remedies. If you missed the opt-out window, you remain bound by the settlement's terms.

If you believe your vehicle caused property damage, personal injury, or losses exceeding what the settlement provides, consulting a consumer protection or products liability attorney can help you understand what options may still be available to you. An attorney can assess whether an individual claim remains viable and explain the applicable statute of limitations in your state.

What This Case Means for EV Consumers

The In re Chevrolet Bolt EV Battery Litigation is one of the largest EV-related class action settlements in U.S. history. The case established important precedent: when automakers and their component suppliers introduce defective battery technology into the market, consumers have viable legal remedies — even when the manufacturer voluntarily initiates recalls. The recalls themselves did not insulate GM and LG from civil liability for the economic harm consumers suffered.

For EV buyers broadly, the case underscores the importance of monitoring NHTSA recall databases for your VIN and acting promptly when notices arrive. It also demonstrates that class action litigation can be an effective tool for consumers who lack the resources to pursue individual claims against well-funded corporations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chevy Bolt EV battery settlement?

It is a $150 million class action settlement resolving claims that General Motors and LG manufactured defective battery packs in 2017–2022 Chevrolet Bolt EVs that posed a fire risk. Judge Terrence G. Berg granted final approval on December 22, 2025.

Who qualifies for the Bolt EV battery settlement?

Anyone who purchased or leased a model year 2017–2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV that was built and shipped to a dealer on or before August 19, 2021, and who has not received a GM buyback, is a potential class member.

How much money will I receive from the settlement?

Class members whose vehicles received a battery replacement may receive up to $700. Those whose vehicles received the software final remedy may receive up to $1,400. Former owners who sold before June 13, 2023, and whose vehicle was eligible for a software update, may receive $700. Payments are subject to the total number of valid claims filed and any prior compensation already received from GM.

What was the defect in the Chevy Bolt battery?

Plaintiffs alleged that LG-manufactured battery cells contained simultaneous manufacturing defects — a torn anode tab and a folded separator — that, when both present in the same cell, could cause a thermal runaway leading to a battery fire, even while the vehicle was parked and not charging.

Did GM admit wrongdoing in the settlement?

No. General Motors and the LG defendants did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement agreement. This is standard in class action resolutions.

Is the Bolt EV battery settlement still open for claims?

The claim filing deadline was July 31, 2025, extended to September 22, 2025 for class members who received a supplemental notice. Final approval was granted December 22, 2025. If you missed the deadline, you are still bound by the settlement's terms but will not receive a cash payment unless you previously submitted a valid claim.

Can I still sue GM individually over my Bolt battery?

Only if you formally opted out of the class action by the applicable deadline. Class members who did not opt out are bound by the settlement and cannot bring separate individual claims against GM or LG over the battery defect issues addressed in this litigation.

What non-monetary benefits does the settlement include?

GM agreed to provide advanced diagnostic software designed to detect battery anomalies in affected Bolt EVs. Battery replacement and software remedies under the recall program are also part of the settlement's overall relief structure.

What law firm handled the Bolt EV battery case for plaintiffs?

Keller Rohrback LLP served as class counsel alongside other firms. The attorneys' fees and expenses — totaling more than $52 million — were paid from the $150 million common fund, not as a separate payment by GM or LG.

How does a class action settlement work under federal law?

Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(e), a class action settlement in federal court must receive court approval. The judge evaluates whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate for the class as a whole before granting final approval, which makes the settlement binding on all class members who did not opt out.

What should I do if I think my EV has a defect?

Report the issue to NHTSA through SaferCar.gov, check your VIN for open recalls, and consult a consumer protection attorney if you have suffered property damage or personal injury as a result.

Where can I find a consumer protection attorney?

You can search for a consumer protection attorney on AttorneyReview.com to find qualified legal representation in your area.

This content is for general informational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Joy Coleman is licensed in Georgia and New Jersey and is not licensed to practice law in all U.S. jurisdictions. Readers should consult a qualified attorney licensed in their jurisdiction.

If you were affected by a defective product and need legal guidance, you can search for a consumer protection attorney on AttorneyReview.com. Use the Get Matched feature to connect with a vetted attorney who handles defective product and class action cases in your state.