Chevy Bolt Battery Lawsuit Ends as Federal Judge Approves Final Settlement

A federal judge has given final approval to the long-running class action settlement tied to Chevy Bolt EV battery fire risks, formally closing a legal chapter that followed years of recalls and scrutiny. The ruling clears General Motors of remaining civil claims related to alleged battery defects in Bolt models from 2017 through 2022, reinforcing remedies the automaker had already put in place.

Court signs off on settlement tied to Bolt battery fire claims

U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson approved the settlement in consolidated cases filed in Michigan’s Eastern District, concluding litigation that stemmed from allegations GM sold Chevy Bolt EVs with batteries that posed an unreasonable fire risk. Those concerns triggered recalls affecting every Bolt produced during the 2017–2022 model years and prompted a separate federal investigation. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ultimately closed its probe after GM’s recall actions, the civil lawsuits continued until this final order, according to GM Authority.

In approving the agreement, Judge Lawson said the settlement offered “fair, reasonable, and adequate” relief to class members. However, the benefits largely align with steps GM had already committed to during the recall process, including replacing battery modules, rolling out advanced diagnostic software, and offering vehicle buybacks to owners who preferred to exit their vehicles. The settlement effectively places those remedies under court oversight rather than introducing new compensation.

Legal costs dominate payout as GM turns the page

Financially, the settlement directs most funds toward legal fees rather than owner payments. Attorneys representing the plaintiff class were awarded $52.5 million in fees and expenses, while roughly 30 named class representatives will each receive $2,000 service awards. The broader group of Bolt owners will not receive direct cash compensation, instead gaining the continued assurance that GM’s battery replacement and remediation program remains in force.

For GM, the ruling provides long-awaited closure. The Bolt was an early mass-market EV success, but repeated recalls and fire-related headlines weighed heavily on consumer perception. With the court’s final approval in In re Chevy Bolt EV Battery Litigation, the automaker can now fully move past the legal fallout, even as the episode remains a cautionary chapter in the industry’s rapid EV scaling era. Investors and consumers alike will be watching how GM applies those hard-earned lessons across its current and next-generation electric lineup.

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