IllustrationThe car will be shifted in park, but the car does not recognize it. It will show “Shift to Park” and won’t lock while sounding the alert. It’s very bad for the safety for the vehicle
2017 Chevrolet Volt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Volt years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt are substantially higher than the model-year median of 169.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Volt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
720–25K
10725–50K
3850–75K
2175–100K
11100–150K
1150K+
250 reports with mileage · 447 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 310 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 233 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 219 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports9 fire reports10 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
310 reportsCURRENTLY, THE VOLT WILL BE PARKED AND WILL NOT TURN OFF THE CAR. IT IS DISPLAYING A MESSAGE SHIFT TO THE PARK ISSUE. THIS IS VERY MISLEADING CONSIDERING THE CAR IS ALREADY IN THE PARK MODE AND WILL NOT TURN OFF.
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN PUT IN PARK, GIVES THE ERROR "SHIFT TO PARK" CANNOT TURN VEHICLE OFF AND GOES IN TO ACCESSORY MODE.
WHEN AT REST, I SHIFT INTO PARK AND SUCCESSFULLY PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. THEN, WHEN I TRY AND TURN OFF THE CAR, I GET A MESSAGE TO 'SHIFT TO PARK.' IT DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN OFF THE CAR OR LOCK MY CAR, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THE CAR IS IN PARK. I HAVE TO TURN ON THE CAR, SHIFT BACK AND FORTH, AND TRY TURNING OFF THE CAR AS WELL. T…
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WHEN AT REST, I SHIFT INTO PARK AND SUCCESSFULLY PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. THEN, WHEN I TRY AND TURN OFF THE CAR, I GET A MESSAGE TO 'SHIFT TO PARK.' IT DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN OFF THE CAR OR LOCK MY CAR, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THE CAR IS IN PARK. I HAVE TO TURN ON THE CAR, SHIFT BACK AND FORTH, AND TRY TURNING OFF THE CAR AS WELL. THIS MAY HAVE TO HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES, 3-4, BEFORE I CAN FINALLY TURN OFF MY CAR COMPLETELY.
AFTER BEING PARKED FOR OVER 24 HOURS, WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE WE GOT A MESSAGE SHIFT TO PARK. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND WAS UNDRIVEABLE. WE TRIED TO CONTACT ONSTAR FROM THE VEHICLE BUT THD CONNECTION KEPT BREAKING UP. WE GOT THROUGH ON OUR CELL AND WERE FORWARDED TO GM. THEY ORDERED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCECE. WHILE WAI…
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AFTER BEING PARKED FOR OVER 24 HOURS, WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE WE GOT A MESSAGE SHIFT TO PARK. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND WAS UNDRIVEABLE. WE TRIED TO CONTACT ONSTAR FROM THE VEHICLE BUT THD CONNECTION KEPT BREAKING UP. WE GOT THROUGH ON OUR CELL AND WERE FORWARDED TO GM. THEY ORDERED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCECE. WHILE WAITING, WE AGAIN STARTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A BEW MESSAGE INITIALIZING: WAIT TO SHIFT BUT THE CAR DID NOT GO INTO GEAR. WHEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ARRIVED, THEY ALSO TRIED WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. IN READING VARIOUS FORUMS, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A MAJOR REPAIR. I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FIR THIS ISSUE?
WHEN I TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR, I PUT THE SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION AND THEN PRESS THE STOP BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE DASH SHOWS THE CAR IN PARK, BUT A MESSAGE SHOWS UP SAYING, "THE CAR NEEDS TO BE IN PARK BEFORE THE CARE CAN BE TURNED OFF". I CAN TRY SEVERAL TIMES AND GET THE SAME MESSAGE (P-D-P-D-P...) THE PROBLEM …
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WHEN I TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR, I PUT THE SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION AND THEN PRESS THE STOP BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE DASH SHOWS THE CAR IN PARK, BUT A MESSAGE SHOWS UP SAYING, "THE CAR NEEDS TO BE IN PARK BEFORE THE CARE CAN BE TURNED OFF". I CAN TRY SEVERAL TIMES AND GET THE SAME MESSAGE (P-D-P-D-P...) THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND THEN CONTINUOUS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFTER (DESCRIBED AS A KNOWN PROBLEM) AS I WAS CONCERNED THAT I COULD NOT TURN OFF THE CAR IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY (GAS GENERATOR FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT, LI BATTERY OVERLOAD, ETC). ALSO, I COULD NOT LOCK THE CAR UNTIL SOME RESET CONDITION OCCURS 10-15 MINUTES LATER.
THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY .ANYTIME IM ABOUT TO PARK MY VEHICLE , AND I TURN OFF THE CAR IT STATES ON THE CLUSTER THAT MY CAR ISN'T PUT INTO PARK , WHICH I DO AND IT SHOWS IT'S IN PARK BUT THE CAR TELLS ME TO PLEASE SHIFT IT INTO …
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THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY .ANYTIME IM ABOUT TO PARK MY VEHICLE , AND I TURN OFF THE CAR IT STATES ON THE CLUSTER THAT MY CAR ISN'T PUT INTO PARK , WHICH I DO AND IT SHOWS IT'S IN PARK BUT THE CAR TELLS ME TO PLEASE SHIFT IT INTO PARK . THE CAR CANNOT BE SHUT OFF. IT'S A REAL SAFETY HAZARD TO BE UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR BECAUSE THE SYSTEM WON'T RECOGNIZE THE CAR BEING IN PARK . I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A WAY TO FIX THIS ISSUE MYSELF . AND FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT I SEE FROM OWNERS IT SEEMS THIS IS A REAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS A RECALL AND SYSTEM UPDATE SO THE CAR RECOGNIZES THAT IT'S IN THE PARK POSITION .
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO PARK. NEARLY HAVE TO PUSH HARD TO HAVE THE PARK SETTING ENGAGE. UNABLE TO TURN ENGINE OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO, THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP SMOOTHLY. IT GOES UP AND DOWN ALL ON ITS OWN. IT APPEARS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. YOU MUST OPEN THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY BEFORE IT WILL CLOSE. CANNOT PREF…
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IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO PARK. NEARLY HAVE TO PUSH HARD TO HAVE THE PARK SETTING ENGAGE. UNABLE TO TURN ENGINE OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO, THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP SMOOTHLY. IT GOES UP AND DOWN ALL ON ITS OWN. IT APPEARS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. YOU MUST OPEN THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY BEFORE IT WILL CLOSE. CANNOT PREFORM THAT FUNCTION WHEN IT IS ONLY PARTIALLY OPENED.
SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE. IT WILL NOT GO INTO PARK AND ALLOW CAR TO BE TURNED OFF. PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. CHEVY SAYS THIS VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DESPITE FACT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM.
I AM HAVING A 'SHIFT TO PARK' ISSUE. WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND SHIFT TO PARK, I ATTEMPT TO POWER OFF THE CAR. THE VOLT WILL NOT POWER OFF AND I GET AN ALERT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT STATES "SHIFT CAR TO PARK TO TURN OFF". BUT THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. I AM UNABLE TO LOCK THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. …
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I AM HAVING A 'SHIFT TO PARK' ISSUE. WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND SHIFT TO PARK, I ATTEMPT TO POWER OFF THE CAR. THE VOLT WILL NOT POWER OFF AND I GET AN ALERT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT STATES "SHIFT CAR TO PARK TO TURN OFF". BUT THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. I AM UNABLE TO LOCK THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. WORSE YET, IT IS INTERMITTENT. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AT RE-STARTING AND STOPPING THE CAR IF USUALLY TURNS OFF. MY VOLT HAS ONLY 28K MILES.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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.