Reported on FB group, small fire after a collison w/ a deer in a 2022 EV (Chevy Bolt EV and EUV Owners Group | Facebook). Fire seems to have been from under rear seats, doesn't appear to be total. Not yet clear if old or new battery.

 

That is very interesting and a bit alarming. If I'm in that vehicle theres no such thing as a small fire. I hope theres more to the story, like the kids were playing with their new pet Dragon (fire breathing) in the back seat or something like that.

 

Didn't see this complaint out of the 32 complaints for the 2022 Bolt EV on the NHTSA website. Checked complaints for other Bolts as well just in case. Where is it?

 

It's weird that (a) a fire would be the result of such a relatively minor bump, and (b) the fire (assuming it was a battery fire) would not consume the entire car but, apparently, went out by itself. I need some more info before I pass judgement on it.

Again, I want to point out that the fire spreading "within minutes" gave the occupants plenty of time to get clear of the car, so this does not sound like a particularly life-threatening event.

 

The main fuse is on the other side of the back seat. What is on the passenger side that would ignite? Doesn’t look like airbags deployed either.

If this is legitimate then why would all those authorities (police, fire and insurance) be asking the car owner to write to GM? That makes no sense. Wouldn’t they have held the vehicle for the NHTSA to investigate and form a proper report?

This could possibly have been kids playing with a lighter in the back seat. Does the mother smoke? Did she drop a cigarette when the accident happened?

The grammar and spelling breaks down more and more as the story builds. More evidence that this isn’t legitimate.

 

I like my Dragon theory better, but i did think of the possiblity of a cigarette that Mom is hiding from Dad. In the past I have seen cigarettes fall on the floor and just melt a hole, never flame up. I'm definitely not saying it couldn't happen though.

 

I am not sure about you guys, but as far as I know, when the battery gets on fire, there is no turning off. It will burn down the whole car.

That's why the Li-Ion batteries are sealed in a metal box, it's hard to get to them.

 

I am not sure about you guys, but as far as I know, when the battery gets on fire, there is no turning off. It will burn down the whole car.

Definitely doesn't seem like a battery fire, but alarming none the less. I think it's the point of origin that bothers me the most having 2 kids in car seats myself.

 

That looks like a write off to me. The entire interior needs to be replaced. Who knows which wiring looms are damaged.

 

Weird. Maybe a 12 volt short somewhere, but definitely not the traction battery.

 

This sounds familiar to other past Bolt fires

fire following service for May 26, 2021 recall notice

Hello. I'm brand new to this site, so I apologize if this isn't going to the right forum. Can anybody here report on battery fires that occurred after the May 26 recall service was done? My neighbor, who has a 2019 Bolt, had the recall service done the second week in June. Yesterday morning...

www.chevybolt.org

 

I'd add that it's a good idea to have a glass breaking tool in your car whether it's an EV or ICE. I was involved in a minor head on collision with an Excursion when I had a rental Hyundai during my battery replacement. They didn't see me sitting at a stop sign and accelerated into me inadvertently.

Nothing serious happened at all, but I couldn't open the driver door. Had to climb over to the passenger side. Now I make sure I have a glass breaking tool in hand reach just in case I ever need it to get out the window. Having a door stuck if a fire starts could be unnecessarily disastrous.