IllustrationVehicle slows at times and provides message "Propulsion Power Reduced." At times vehicle will not start and cannot move transmission shifter out of Park.
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 reportsI was driving at about 50mph all of a sudden I got a propulsion error and my car stopped working it had no power! People had to swerve around me and I was almost hit. My car would not drive I shut it off and back on multiple times. Finally it started but would not go above 25 it was so scary. I went to the dealership they said i…
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I was driving at about 50mph all of a sudden I got a propulsion error and my car stopped working it had no power! People had to swerve around me and I was almost hit. My car would not drive I shut it off and back on multiple times. Finally it started but would not go above 25 it was so scary. I went to the dealership they said it’s known issue since 2016 and that my miles were too high so it would not be covered to fix the total amount it almost 3,000 this seems unfair that Chevy would continue to sell a vehicle knowing it had issues with a energy control module and not fix it for free. Especially when you could be killed while driving it!!
N232432680 / PE23022 On some 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Volt vehicles, a malfunction involving the battery energy control module (BECM) may cause a reduced power mode, a no start condition, or a no charge condition. The above safety issue required an extended warranty recall for *all* 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts due to a kn…
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N232432680 / PE23022 On some 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Volt vehicles, a malfunction involving the battery energy control module (BECM) may cause a reduced power mode, a no start condition, or a no charge condition. The above safety issue required an extended warranty recall for *all* 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts due to a known issue with failing battery energy control modules (BECM). The warranty was not extended to vehicles sold in CARB states, as the Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) warranty is the same as the extended warranty granted by the NHTSA investigation which resulted in the extended warranty noted above. (N232432680) However, it GM's practice to decline warranty coverage for a CARB vehicle with the PZEV warranty if it is not longer registered in a CARB state, thereby skirting around the special coverage from the NHTSA investigation. This is a circumvention of the findings by the NHTSA and the safety of motorists.
Power surge I hit the gas to cross the highway and lack of power then got home the next morning started the car and it started serging in the driveway then it shut down altogether.
Problems with EGR valves still in defects, and engine gaz motor loose power. GM don’t have enough parts to resolve them.
My car stopped all of a sudden and lost power while my wife was driving. She could've been in a major accident since the car lost power. This has happened a few times in the past. Luckily she wasn't on the freeway or she could've been rear ended at highway speeds. There were warning lamps that said check engine and "Lost Pro…
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My car stopped all of a sudden and lost power while my wife was driving. She could've been in a major accident since the car lost power. This has happened a few times in the past. Luckily she wasn't on the freeway or she could've been rear ended at highway speeds. There were warning lamps that said check engine and "Lost Propulsion". This should be looked at closely as my safety as well as the safety of others was at risk. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! I had my car towed to the nearest auto repair shop where it is being looked at.
Dear NHTSA officer, I am writing to report a serious safety incident involving my 2017 Chevrolet Volt. On November 9, 2024, while driving with my family, our vehicle unexpectedly lost power without any warning. The details of the incident are as follows: Incident: The car powered off suddenly. Passengers: Myself, my wif…
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Dear NHTSA officer, I am writing to report a serious safety incident involving my 2017 Chevrolet Volt. On November 9, 2024, while driving with my family, our vehicle unexpectedly lost power without any warning. The details of the incident are as follows: Incident: The car powered off suddenly. Passengers: Myself, my wife, and our two children were in the vehicle. Aftermath: We were unable to restart the car despite multiple attempts. Resolution: It took two hours and assistance from neighbors to push the car back to our driveway. Upon researching this issue, I discovered that other 2017 Chevrolet Volt owners have reported similar symptoms, which appear to be related to Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) failures. Furthermore, I found that GM issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 18-NA-261 addressing "an internal issue within the Battery Energy Control Module" for Volt models. This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and reliability of our vehicle. I am requesting immediate attention to this matter, including: A thorough inspection and repair of our vehicle Information on any recalls or extended warranties related to this issue Assurance of the vehicle's safety for future use Given the potential danger posed by sudden power loss while driving, I believe this issue warrants urgent attention and possibly a wider recall. Thank you for your prompt attention to this critical safety matter. I look forward to your timely response and resolution. Sincerely,
While operating my Chevy Volt on a Los Angeles Freeway, warning lights came on informing me to park immediately, and that the power propulsion was reduced. The Check Engine light also came on. At that point the “Shift to Park” message came on. My car is experiencing the “Shift to Park” issue. I already had this happen previous…
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While operating my Chevy Volt on a Los Angeles Freeway, warning lights came on informing me to park immediately, and that the power propulsion was reduced. The Check Engine light also came on. At that point the “Shift to Park” message came on. My car is experiencing the “Shift to Park” issue. I already had this happen previously in 2023. The repair cost $1,200. There are many, many references to this issue on the Internet. The “Shift to Park” defect is well known in the Chevy Volt community. When this happened the SECOND time, ([XXX]), I was stranded on the side of an LA freeway. The car will not start. It will cycle through the “Shift to Park” message on the dashboard and it will not go anywhere. The car initializes, so there is power in the vehicle, but no propulsion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that the message "Propulsion Power Reduced" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehi…
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The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that the message "Propulsion Power Reduced" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer, and it was diagnosed and determined that the 12V battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated that the hybrid battery was no longer charging and failed to turn on. The contact had the vehicle towed to the same dealer however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
My BECM failed and should be covered under the N23243268 special coverage. For some reason, GM is saying that the special coverage does not apply to my VIN despite the fact that I am experiencing the exact failure that this special coverage is supposed to cover and it is during the covered years of 2016-2018 where this issue is …
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My BECM failed and should be covered under the N23243268 special coverage. For some reason, GM is saying that the special coverage does not apply to my VIN despite the fact that I am experiencing the exact failure that this special coverage is supposed to cover and it is during the covered years of 2016-2018 where this issue is known to be common.
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.