Motorist's nightmare: His Chevrolet Bolt's battery has been replaced five times

A motorist had his Chevrolet Bolt EV sit in his dealership's yard for over a year while mechanics replaced his electric vehicle's battery five times.

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Alexander Grizanoff bought his 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV in 2022.

“The reason I bought it was because I saved a lot on gas,” he explained on the show I This evening's broadcast addresses the difficulties of repairing vehicles.

Mr. Grizhanof, estranged, must drive several dozen kilometers a week to see his children, who live in Hawkesbury, Ontario and his workplace, Saint-Anne-des-Plaines, as well as in Kingston.

A difficult diagnosis

For months, manufacturer General Motors (GM) and the dealership tried to find the cause of his misfortune.

“They tested with the computer to find out where the problem was […] I told them it's not worth replacing the battery every time without knowing why the battery burned out. But they have no reason,” he lamented. The dealership, meanwhile, offered Mr. Grizanoff a range of inexpensive gasoline-powered vehicles.

The latter tried unsuccessfully to reach arrangements with the dealership or the manufacturer, GM, so that they would take back his vehicle. But he got conflicting proposals. “One day, they gave me $21,000. Next, it's $17,000, $6000. I don't know what the vehicle is worth anymore,” laments the Ontario resident. This is not the case with the monthly payments on the $40,000 car loan that he owes if his car is no longer drivable.

He eventually received a $25,025 check from the dealership he used to purchase a 2020 Toyota Prius Prime.

scandal

The story scandalizes automobile columnist Antoine Joubert. “These conditions occurred in 2% to 4% of the Bolts delivered to Quebec last year. It's clear that General Motors is covering this up and not telling dealers or consumers the truth,” he opined.

Antoine Joubert, automobile columnist

Courtesy photo

Mr. According to Joubert, Mr. Grizhanov's Bolt hasn't lost much value in two years, as a two- or three-year-old model costs about the same as a new one today. “General Motors should write a check there,” he marveled.

The dealer we contacted referred our questions to GM. The manufacturer responded to us via email, saying it is “committed to providing available replacement parts to owners and minimizing inconvenience.” [ses] Clients” Mr. Without going into the details of Grizanov's story.