IllustrationAFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO PARK AND POWER OFF BUTTON PUSHED. CAR DOES NOT TURN OFF AND A WARNING MESSAGE "ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK" DISPLAYS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN PARK WHEN THIS MESSAGE COMES UP AND SHOWS THE "P" IN THE UPPER RIGHT OF DASHBOARD HIGHLIGHTED WITH THE RED BACKGROUND.
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 reportsIT IS THE "SHIFT TO PARK" PROBLEM. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF BECAUSE IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN IT IS IN PARK. IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR MORE THAN A WEEK AND MAY BE REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE MICROSWITCH OR F-HARNESS RELATED TO THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY. THIS CONDITION HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY UPON ATTEMPTING TO TURN IT OFF.
I PURCHASED MY USED 17 CHEVY VOLT 2 MONTHS AGO. SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED HAVING INTERMEDIATE ISSUES OF SHOWING "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN THE VEHICLE IS CLEARLY IN PARK MODE. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SHUT OFF. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT GM BUT THEY CLAIM THERE ARE NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR MY VIN/VEHICLE. THERE …
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I PURCHASED MY USED 17 CHEVY VOLT 2 MONTHS AGO. SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED HAVING INTERMEDIATE ISSUES OF SHOWING "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN THE VEHICLE IS CLEARLY IN PARK MODE. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SHUT OFF. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT GM BUT THEY CLAIM THERE ARE NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR MY VIN/VEHICLE. THERE ARE COUNTLESS ONLINE COMPLAINTS FROM 17 VOLT OWNERS SHOWING THE SAME ISSUE (THIS IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH OTHER GM MODELS & I AM ALSO SEEING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE). GM IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT & HAS ONLY ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS ON SOME VIN # - WHILE THEY SHOULD HAVE CAUSE - BASED ON NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS - THAT THIS IMPACT IS OCCURRING WITH THE MAJORITY OF 17 VOLTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN A 3,794 LBS VEHICLE CANNOT BE SHUT OFF. I AM ASKING THAT NHTSA ISSUE A RECALL IN REGARDS TO 2017 CHEVY VOLTS & THE "SHIT TO PARK" ISSUE. WHILE THIS IS AN INTERMEDIATE ISSUE AND SOME DAYS MY CAR SHUTS OF FINE WHILE OTHERS IT TAKES MOVING THE SHIFTER BACK BETWEEN GEARS IN ORDER FOR THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT TO RECOGNIZE IT'S PARKED - I WILL TRY TO CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALER FOR HELP BUT I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO PUT GM & NHTSA ON NOTICE REGARDING THIS WELL KNOWN DEFECT THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED AND COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. GM SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WHICH IS WELL DOCUMENTED - BY PROVIDING A RECALL. PLEASE SEE THESE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR GM ON VARIOUS MODELS SHOWING "SHIFT TO PARK": HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2018/GMC-ACADIA-SHIFT-TO-PARK-ISSUES-LAWSUIT.SHTML HTTPS://WWW.REDDIT.COM/R/VOLT/COMMENTS/8ET2NW/ACTION_REQUIRED_SHIFT_TO_PARK/ HTTPS://ABC6ONYOURSIDE.COM/ON-YOUR-SIDE/WESTERVILLE-FAMILY-IN-LIMBO-AS-GM-LEAVES-THEM-IN-DARK-OVER-SHIFT-TO-PARK-ISSUE HTTPS://WWW.CRUZETALK.COM/THREADS/SHIFT-TO-PARK-LOCK-PROBLEM.51401/ HTTPS://REPAIRPAL.COM/CANNOT-TURN-OFF-2016-VOLT-ACTION-REQUIRED-SHIFT-TO-PARK-522
SHIFT TO PARK ERROR MESSAGE CONSISTENTLY APPEARING PREVENTING THE CAR FROM EFFECTIVELY TURNING OFF WHEN CAR IS SHIFTED TO PARK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PEARL MOTOR COMPANY (3100 S CLARK ST, MEXICO, MO 65265, (573) 567-4254) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE KEY FOBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE KEY FOBS WERE REPLACE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PEARL MOTOR COMPANY (3100 S CLARK ST, MEXICO, MO 65265, (573) 567-4254) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE KEY FOBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE KEY FOBS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED RELAY WAS FINALLY REPLACED AND PROBLEM SOLVED.*JB
SHIFT-TO-PARK ALERT AFTER YOU POWER DOWN CAR. EFFECTLVELY, THE CAR WON'T TURN OFF. BROUGHT TO GM IN 2018 AND THEY REPLACED THE SHIFTER. 18 MONTHS LATER, THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. APPEARS TO BE A CHRONIC DEFECT IN THE 2ND GEN VOLT.
THE SHIFTER SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO BE TURNED OFF.
MY VOLT HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF PROPULSION AND WARNING "ACTION REQUIRED - SHIFT TO PARK" AND WAS IN SERVICE AT MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR 41 DAYS TO SOLVE THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME IT WOULD NO LONGER CHARGE TO 53 MILES ELECTRIC. ON MY LEVEL 1 CHARGER IT HAS CHARGED TO 52 OR 53 MILES SINCE THE FIRS…
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MY VOLT HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF PROPULSION AND WARNING "ACTION REQUIRED - SHIFT TO PARK" AND WAS IN SERVICE AT MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR 41 DAYS TO SOLVE THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME IT WOULD NO LONGER CHARGE TO 53 MILES ELECTRIC. ON MY LEVEL 1 CHARGER IT HAS CHARGED TO 52 OR 53 MILES SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP ON 1/24/17. THE VEHICLE WILL CHANGE TO 36 - 40 MILES NOW WHICH IS GREATER THAN A 30% LOSS OF ELECTRIC CHARGE. I AM NOT REFERRING TO DRIVING RANGE WHICH VARIES WITH CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR A TOTAL OF 53 DAYS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN RESOLVED ON THE LAST SERVICE VISIT WHERE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL WERE REPLACED. I AM NOW IN ARBITRATION WITH GM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW AND THE BBB. I AM REQUESTING A BUYBACK OF THE VEHICLE FOR IMPAIRMENT OF USE, VALUE, AND SAFETY.
THE SENSING DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FAILED AT ~38K MILES CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO STOP WORKING. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.
THE BATTERY ENERGY CONTROL MODULE FAILED AT ~34K MILES. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND PREVENTED THE CAR FROM USING THE BATTERIES FOR DRIVING. THE FAILURE MADE THE CAR UNUSABLE.
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.