GM agreed to do the honorable thing by compensating Bolt buyers that paid $6,000 more before it announced price cuts for the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV. However, buyers will be signing away their right to sue GM before accessing the rebate, as spotted by Electrek.
If you bought the 2020 – 2022 Bolt EV or 2022 EUV in the US this year, you may be eligible for a cash rebate of up to about $5,000, which, viewed in another way, should compensate you for the trouble of the battery recall. However, as discovered by a Bolt owner, the fine print includes a condition that you should be aware of; you can’t sue GM over anything concerning the vehicle, even if the car catches fire.
The relevant part of the document reads:
“b. By nonetheless agreeing to this Release, I—both on my own behalf and on behalf of my heirs, agents, servants, beneficiaries, legal representatives, assigns, wards, executors, successors, and administrators—forever waive and release all claims, damages, or causes of action, either known or unknown, regardless of the legal or equitable theory, that I may have now or in the future arising out of or in any way relating to my Bolt vehicle(s), the battery defect, or the battery recalls, and including any claims or rights that I may have in connection with the class action, including any right to participate as a class member.”
While the condition is rather unsettling, given the company had actually recalled the cars due to the risk of battery fire, GM claims the agreement is common practice. But it notes that it does not preclude any potential recall.
GM resumed the Bolt production in April after an eight-month pause to focus on the battery recall.
