NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
169 reportsMileage unknown · Jun 22, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System
I’m experiencing the infamous “shift to park” error. After entering a parking spot, I come to a stop, shift the car from Drive into Park gear, and attempt to turn the car off but it will not turn off because it thinks the car is still in Drive gear mode, and it says “shift to park”. It happens intermittently and unpredictably…
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I’m experiencing the infamous “shift to park” error. After entering a parking spot, I come to a stop, shift the car from Drive into Park gear, and attempt to turn the car off but it will not turn off because it thinks the car is still in Drive gear mode, and it says “shift to park”. It happens intermittently and unpredictably from when I bought the car 2 years ago until now. Sometimes I have to shift back into drive and then to park several times in a row before it finally shows that it’s in Park gear.
NHTSA ODI #11421846
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2021
Power Train
Vehicle Shifter does not correctly register the vehicle is in park. Does not allow the vehicle to be turned off. This is a common issue experienced by Gen2 Volt owners and well known by GM Service Tech and GM has not yet issued a recall. There is a potential safety issue if someone believes the vehicle is parked and exits t…
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Vehicle Shifter does not correctly register the vehicle is in park. Does not allow the vehicle to be turned off. This is a common issue experienced by Gen2 Volt owners and well known by GM Service Tech and GM has not yet issued a recall. There is a potential safety issue if someone believes the vehicle is parked and exits the vehcile and the car is left running. Potential Driver Confusion on the park status could lead to the vehicle continuing to run or being put back in gear. GM needs to issue a recall for Gen2 Volts - 2016 and on.
NHTSA ODI #11421176
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2021
Electrical SystemSuspension
1. AN ERROR APPEARS "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN PARKING. THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS SHIFTED TO PARK THUS IT CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN WHEN POSITIONED ON PARK. A RUNNING VEHICLE THAT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF AND CAN RUN ON GAS IS A CONSIDERABLE HAZARD. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2016 VOLT.
NHTSA ODI #11419631
22,000 miles · May 6, 2021
Electrical System
GET "SHIFT TO PARK" ERROR WHEN TRYING TO SHUT OFF IGNITION. SHIFT LEVER IS IN PARK BUT NOT RECOGNIZED BY CARS ELECTRONICS OR SWITCHES OR? THIS PREVENTS CAR FROM BEING SHUT OFF -THIS IS MORE THAN JUST AN IRRITANT. WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED SOMEWHERE AND CAN'T TURN OFF YOUR IGNITION, YOU ARE IN A REALLY SERIOUS PREDICAMENT! GM HAS HAD …
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GET "SHIFT TO PARK" ERROR WHEN TRYING TO SHUT OFF IGNITION. SHIFT LEVER IS IN PARK BUT NOT RECOGNIZED BY CARS ELECTRONICS OR SWITCHES OR? THIS PREVENTS CAR FROM BEING SHUT OFF -THIS IS MORE THAN JUST AN IRRITANT. WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED SOMEWHERE AND CAN'T TURN OFF YOUR IGNITION, YOU ARE IN A REALLY SERIOUS PREDICAMENT! GM HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM ON MANY ELECTRONIC HYBRIDS SINCE 2016 MODELS AND WILL NOT OR CANNOT FIX! ONE GOOGLE OF CHEVY VOLT "SHIFT TO PARK" WILL SHOW HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS (MANY TO YOUR DEPT.) AND NO HELP IN FORCING GM TO RESOVE PROBLEM !
NHTSA ODI #11415464
46,000 miles · Apr 29, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train
WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRY TO TURN IT OFF, I FREQUENTLY GET AN ERROR ON THE GAUGE DISPLAY THAT SAYS "ACTION REQUIRED, SHIFT TO PARK." THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING. WHEN THIS ERROR HAPPENS, I'M UNABLE TO POWER OFF THE CAR OR LOCK THE DOORS. I TURN THE CAR BACK ON, JIGGLE THE SHIFTER OR MOVE IT INTO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK, AN…
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WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRY TO TURN IT OFF, I FREQUENTLY GET AN ERROR ON THE GAUGE DISPLAY THAT SAYS "ACTION REQUIRED, SHIFT TO PARK." THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING. WHEN THIS ERROR HAPPENS, I'M UNABLE TO POWER OFF THE CAR OR LOCK THE DOORS. I TURN THE CAR BACK ON, JIGGLE THE SHIFTER OR MOVE IT INTO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK, AND THEN TRY TURNING THE CAR OFF AGAIN. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS 5 OR MORE TIMES BEFORE THE CAR WILL POWER DOWN. THIS ERROR HAPPENS ABOUT HALF THE TIME THAT I USE MY CAR, WHICH MAKES IT A DAILY PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN OCT 2019, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER ALSO HAD THE PROBLEM BUT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT STARTED FOR HIM.
NHTSA ODI #11414456
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2021
Electrical System
GETTING THE "ACTION NEEDED SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PARKED AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF CAR TO EXIT. UNABLE TO SHUT DOWN VEHICLE WHEN OCCURS.
NHTSA ODI #11404812
45,558 miles · Mar 22, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
THE VEHICLE ISSUES A MESSAGE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK (SHIFT TO PARK) MESSAGE EVEN WHEN IT IS ALREADY IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE NOR WILL IT ENABLE THE DRIVER TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WHICH RESULTS IN UNSAFE DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES AND STRANDS THE DRIVE IN UNTENABLE SITUATIONS. THIS IS KNOWN IN SOCIAL MEDIA AS T…
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THE VEHICLE ISSUES A MESSAGE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK (SHIFT TO PARK) MESSAGE EVEN WHEN IT IS ALREADY IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE NOR WILL IT ENABLE THE DRIVER TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WHICH RESULTS IN UNSAFE DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES AND STRANDS THE DRIVE IN UNTENABLE SITUATIONS. THIS IS KNOWN IN SOCIAL MEDIA AS THE "SHIFT-TO-PARK" PROBLEM WITH VOLT AND OTHER GM VEHICLES WHILE GM IS HUSH-HUSH ABOUT THE ISSUE. THERE ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES AS THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DESIGN ISSUE GIVEN ALL OF THE PROBLEMS DRIVERS ARE HAVING. IT STARTS AS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND CONTINUES TO GET WORSE OVER TIME WITH OUT ANY WARNING.
NHTSA ODI #11404387
49,061 miles · Jan 16, 2021
Power Train
AN ERROR APPEARS "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN PARKING. THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS SHIFTED TO PARK THUS IT CONTINUES TO RUN. A RUNNING VEHICLE THAT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF AND CAN RUN ON GAS IS A CONSIDERABLE HAZARD. THE GM FORUM FOR VOLTS CONTAINS MANY SUCH MESSAGES FOR 2016 VOLTS AND A PROBLEM WITH THE SAME SYSTEM ERROR LED TO …
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AN ERROR APPEARS "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN PARKING. THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS SHIFTED TO PARK THUS IT CONTINUES TO RUN. A RUNNING VEHICLE THAT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF AND CAN RUN ON GAS IS A CONSIDERABLE HAZARD. THE GM FORUM FOR VOLTS CONTAINS MANY SUCH MESSAGES FOR 2016 VOLTS AND A PROBLEM WITH THE SAME SYSTEM ERROR LED TO A RECALL IN 2017 VOLTS. THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY IN THIS CAR, STARTING A FEW MONTHS AGO.
NHTSA ODI #11388475
14,500 miles · Dec 18, 2020
Electrical System
WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO POWER DOWN THE CAR, THE DRIVER RECEIVES AN ERROR THAT THE CAR MUST BE SHIFTED TO PARK BEFORE TURNING OFF EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS IN PARK. AS A RESULT THE CAR MAY NOT BE TURNED OFF. REPEATED ATTEMPTS AND "PLAYING" WITH THE SHIFTER MAY OR MAY NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11384019
34,000 miles · Nov 30, 2020
Power Train
WHEN PARKING THE CAR THERE'S A CHANCE FOR THE ERROR "SHIFT TO PARK" TO OCCUR WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF THE CAR,. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SWITCH THAT WEARS OUT WITHIN THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. THE ERROR STARTS TO BECOME MORE AND MORE COMMON AS TIME GO ON. IT IS TOO EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY LEAVE THE CAR "ON" WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR TO PAR…
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WHEN PARKING THE CAR THERE'S A CHANCE FOR THE ERROR "SHIFT TO PARK" TO OCCUR WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF THE CAR,. THIS IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SWITCH THAT WEARS OUT WITHIN THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. THE ERROR STARTS TO BECOME MORE AND MORE COMMON AS TIME GO ON. IT IS TOO EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY LEAVE THE CAR "ON" WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR TO PARK AND STEPPING OUT OF THE CAR AND USING THE PUSH TO STOP. THE ONLY KNOWN WORKAROUND IS TO FLICK THE SHIFTER BUTTON UNTIL THE CAR REGISTERS THAT THE CAR IS NOW SHIFTED TO PARK. THIS IS A RECURRING AND WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN THE CHEVY VOLT COMMUNITY. IT'S PREDICTED THAT ALL 2016+ CHEVY VOLTS WILL EVENTUALLY DEVELOP THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THIS SWITCH. I HAVE ANOTHER VOLT IN THE FAMILY THAT'S ALREADY HAD THE SHIFTER REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11377178
NHTSA investigations
2PE23022 · Loss Of Motive Power Due To The Battery Energy Control Module
Opened Nov 29, 2023 · Closed Mar 3, 2025
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:propulsion System; Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery:management System/energy Control Module (bms/becm)
On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE23022 to investigate allegations of a loss of motive power, including a stall, reduced power state, and/or a no start condition due to the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) in model year (MY) 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt passenger car vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The BECM is located within the high voltage electric vehicle (EV) battery pack and monitors the temperature, current, and voltage of the high voltage battery cell groups. GM stated that the root cause was identified as an internal failure leading to a loss of communication within the BECM and does not pose a risk to motor vehicle safety. GM further stated that the failure cannot result in a complete stall, only a reduced power mode, no start condition, or a no charge condition. GM additionally stated that if these conditions occur, the driver will be warned via a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and/or a reduced-propulsion message in the Driver Information Center (DIC). Data received and analyzed by ODI from all sources indicates that nearly all related BECM failures caused conditions aligning with GM’s predicted outcomes. Despite the large number of warranty claims, nearly all failures were not safety-related, i.e., not a stall or reduced power mode. ODI isaware of a single minor crash and no injuries or deaths. In March 2024, GM issued Special Coverage N232432680, which was mailed to consumers, addressing BECM failures in certain MY 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. This special coverage provides an extension of the warranty coverage for the BECM from 8 years / 100,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles for all 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts. Additionally, GM stated that replacement components are sourced from a different supplier and not susceptible to the failure. In view of the Special Coverage issued by GM, the existing warranty coverage already in place, and the low number of safety-related occurrences, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation (PE). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System
On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE23022 to investigate allegations of a loss of motive power, including a stall, reduced power state, and/or a no start condition due to the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) in model year (MY) 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt passenger car vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The BECM is located within the high voltage electric vehicle (EV) battery pack and monitors the temperature, current, and voltage of the high voltage battery cell groups. GM stated that the root cause was identified as an internal failure leading to a loss of communication within the BECM and does not pose a risk to motor vehicle safety. GM further stated that the failure cannot result in a complete stall, only a reduced power mode, no start condition, or a no charge condition. GM additionally stated that if these conditions occur, the driver will be warned via a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and/or a reduced-propulsion message in the Driver Information Center (DIC). Data received and analyzed by ODI from all sources indicates that nearly all related BECM failures caused conditions aligning with GM’s predicted outcomes. Despite the large number of warranty claims, nearly all failures were not safety-related, i.e., not a stall or reduced power mode. ODI isaware of a single minor crash and no injuries or deaths. In March 2024, GM issued Special Coverage N232432680, which was mailed to consumers, addressing BECM failures in certain MY 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. This special coverage provides an extension of the warranty coverage for the BECM from 8 years / 100,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles for all 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts. Additionally, GM stated that replacement components are sourced from a different supplier and not susceptible to the failure. In view of the Special Coverage issued by GM, the existing warranty coverage already in place, and the low number of safety-related occurrences, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation (PE). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Electrical System:propulsion System
On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE23022 to investigate allegations of a loss of motive power, including a stall, reduced power state, and/or a no start condition due to the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) in model year (MY) 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt passenger car vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The BECM is located within the high voltage electric vehicle (EV) battery pack and monitors the temperature, current, and voltage of the high voltage battery cell groups. GM stated that the root cause was identified as an internal failure leading to a loss of communication within the BECM and does not pose a risk to motor vehicle safety. GM further stated that the failure cannot result in a complete stall, only a reduced power mode, no start condition, or a no charge condition. GM additionally stated that if these conditions occur, the driver will be warned via a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and/or a reduced-propulsion message in the Driver Information Center (DIC). Data received and analyzed by ODI from all sources indicates that nearly all related BECM failures caused conditions aligning with GM’s predicted outcomes. Despite the large number of warranty claims, nearly all failures were not safety-related, i.e., not a stall or reduced power mode. ODI isaware of a single minor crash and no injuries or deaths. In March 2024, GM issued Special Coverage N232432680, which was mailed to consumers, addressing BECM failures in certain MY 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. This special coverage provides an extension of the warranty coverage for the BECM from 8 years / 100,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles for all 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts. Additionally, GM stated that replacement components are sourced from a different supplier and not susceptible to the failure. In view of the Special Coverage issued by GM, the existing warranty coverage already in place, and the low number of safety-related occurrences, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation (PE). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery:management System/energy Control Module (bms/becm)
On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE23022 to investigate allegations of a loss of motive power, including a stall, reduced power state, and/or a no start condition due to the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) in model year (MY) 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt passenger car vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The BECM is located within the high voltage electric vehicle (EV) battery pack and monitors the temperature, current, and voltage of the high voltage battery cell groups. GM stated that the root cause was identified as an internal failure leading to a loss of communication within the BECM and does not pose a risk to motor vehicle safety. GM further stated that the failure cannot result in a complete stall, only a reduced power mode, no start condition, or a no charge condition. GM additionally stated that if these conditions occur, the driver will be warned via a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and/or a reduced-propulsion message in the Driver Information Center (DIC). Data received and analyzed by ODI from all sources indicates that nearly all related BECM failures caused conditions aligning with GM’s predicted outcomes. Despite the large number of warranty claims, nearly all failures were not safety-related, i.e., not a stall or reduced power mode. ODI isaware of a single minor crash and no injuries or deaths. In March 2024, GM issued Special Coverage N232432680, which was mailed to consumers, addressing BECM failures in certain MY 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. This special coverage provides an extension of the warranty coverage for the BECM from 8 years / 100,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles for all 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts. Additionally, GM stated that replacement components are sourced from a different supplier and not susceptible to the failure. In view of the Special Coverage issued by GM, the existing warranty coverage already in place, and the low number of safety-related occurrences, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation (PE). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
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