DETROIT – General Motors expects to begin replacing battery modules in recalled Chevrolet Bolt EVs due to fire risks as soon as next month, the company announced Monday.

The timing comes after the automaker’s battery supplier LG Chem restarted production of battery cells with updated manufacturing processes at plants in Michigan, GM said. Cell production went down last month following two rare manufacturing issues forcing GM to recall more than 140,000 of the EVs due to risk of the batteries spontaneously catching fire.

GM confirmed the existence of 13 battery fires worldwide. According to GM, the problem was caused by a torn separator and a torn anode. Both must be in one battery cell.

The recall is expected to cost the automaker $1.8 billion, some of which the automaker is negotiating to recoup from LG Chem, according to GM.

GM will ship the new modules to dealers in March and also plan to release a software upgrade for battery monitoring within 60 days.

GM stated that the new diagnostic software is designed to identify specific anomalies in Bolt EV batteries and alert customers about them. It will also monitor the performance of the battery, notify customers of abnormalities, prioritize damaged modules for replacement, and provide notifications.

GM will prioritize Chevy Bolt EV and EUV customers whose batteries were manufactured during specific timeframes where GM believes battery defects appear to be clustered.

This recall covers all Chevy Bolt Electric Vehicles manufactured since 2016. It also includes the Bolt EUV, a larger version of this car.

GM says owners with questions should visit www.chevy.com/boltevrecall, contact its Chevrolet EV help line at 1-833-EVCHEVY or contact their preferred Chevrolet EV dealer.