The Verge - Chevy Volt battery investigation: the full story

NHTSA closes Chevy Volt safety investigation, finds no defects

2012-01-21T04:57:04Z

Concerns over the safety of GM's Chevy Volt electric car are fading, as the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency has officially closed its investigation into concerns that the batteries in the car could catch fire after a crash. GM has already made some modifications to the vehicle, including adding a coolant temperature sensor, brackets, and shielding. The NHTSA ultimately found that the Volt didn't have any systematic defects, writing that "A defect trend has not been identified at this time, and further investigation does not appear to be warranted." The administration also agreed with GM that the modifications it is making on new models "reduce potential for battery intrusion resulting from side impacts."

With the...

Chevy Volt battery fixes rolling out this month, NHTSA tentatively approves new crash test results

2012-01-06T07:34:03Z

While GM claims the Chevy Volt "has always been safe to drive," the auto manufacturer is making some slight physical enhancements to the plug-in hybrid this month, to ensure drivers that their vehicle won't spontaneously catch fire weeks after a major accident. That wasn't necessarily a major worry, mind you, as the reported fires have only occurred in the lab, specifically in side-impact crashes where the battery was punctured and the "owner" failed to disconnect the battery afterwards.

That won't stop GM from adding a battery coolant temperature sensor, a tamper-resistant bracket for the battery coolant tank, and a large metal shielding bracket for the underside of the car, though, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration...

GM offers to buy back Chevy Volts from unhappy customers

2011-12-02T15:24:02Z

In the wake of an investigation into Chevy Volt battery fires, GM is offering to buy back the cars from any customers who are unsatisfied — although it still insists the vehicles are safe as long as the battery is powered down according to proper safety procedures after a serious crash. The buy-back offer is unusual since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn't issued a recall, but GM previously stated that it wants to make sure customers have peace of mind. Earlier this week, the automaker offered a loaner car to any owners concerned with the investigation — an offer that only 34 of the 6,142 Volt owners have accepted, according to Chevy's Alan Batey. Any customers who want to participate in the buy-back...

GM providing Chevy Volt owners with loaner cars while investigating potential safety issues

2011-11-29T13:42:41Z

Amidst a growing controversy over some Chevy Volt crash tests that resulted in batteries catching fire, GM is offering the approximately 6,000 Volt owners a different GM vehicle on a free loan while the US government determines if the car is truly a danger to owners. In a press release annoucing the loaner program, GM president Mark Russ said, "our customers' peace of mind is too important to us for there to be any concern or any worry. This technology should inspire confidence and pride, not raise any concern or doubt." GM also notes that a loaner program at this point in a preliminary investigation is "well beyond the norm" and that it "underlines our commitment to the vehicle and its owners." While GM continues to defend the Volt,...

Chevy Volt under investigation due to battery safety concerns

2011-11-26T18:51:23Z

Back in May, the battery of a Chevy Volt caught fire several weeks after a routine crash test conducted by General Motors. This caught the attention of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and now it's opening a formal investigation to see if Chevy Volt owners are at risk and whether or not a recall will be necessary. The NHTSA decided to open this investigation after it was able to ignite the Chevy Volt's battery twice in three separate tests, which were designed to recreate the circumstances of GM's original test in May.

For GM's part, it said in a statement to The Washington Post that the Volt "is safe and does not present undue risk as part of normal operation or immediately after a severe crash." While the...