General Motors said on Friday that it was expanding its recall of Chevrolet Bolt electric cars that have been found to be at risk of catching fire as a result of rare manufacturing defects.
The company said it was recalling Bolts from the 2020 through 2022 model years. An earlier recall covered 2017-2019 models.
G.M. said the move would cost the company $1 billion on top of what it had spent on previous Bolt recalls. It also said it would seek reimbursement from its battery supplier, LG Chem.
“G.M. customers can be confident in our commitment to taking the steps to ensure the safety of these vehicles,” said Doug Parks, an executive vice president at G.M.
The recalled Bolts use battery packs made in South Korea by LG Chem, which formed a joint venture with G.M. that is building battery plants in Ohio and Tennessee and expects to build others as the automaker rolls out new electric models.
G.M. and LG Chem have linked the fires to two manufacturing defects that occur on rare occasions. Under the recall, G.M. plans to replace the defective battery modules.
