IllustrationDRIVING UP THE FREEWAY AT A NORMAL SPEED, MY VOLT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING AND AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES AGAIN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INVOLUNTARILY. AFTER I MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BY APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD, SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HOOD. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HE HAD TO JUMP THE CAR TO START IT AGAIN.
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
Engine complaints
182 reportsI LEASED THIS CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2017. ON NOVEMBER 30, 2018, I GOT ONTO THE FREEWAY WHILE RUNNING ON GAS AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING WITHIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUES OR ANY WARNING SIGNS. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHIC…
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I LEASED THIS CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2017. ON NOVEMBER 30, 2018, I GOT ONTO THE FREEWAY WHILE RUNNING ON GAS AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING WITHIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUES OR ANY WARNING SIGNS. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE COUNTLESS TIMES ON GAS RATHER THAN ELECTRIC CHARGE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR, ALL WINDOWS, THE FRONT TIRES, AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I HAVE SEEN 2 OTHER REVIEWS ON THIS WEBSITE ABOUT SPONTANEOUS VEHICLE FIRES.
WHEN PULLING INTO MY GARAGE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT WALL OF THE GARAGE (PHOTO 08); WHEN I SHIFTED TO REVERSE, THE CAR CAREENED OUT OF THE GARAGE, ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY, AND COLLIDED WITH MY NEIGHBOR'S HOME (PHOTO 09), LEAVING SKID MARKS (PHOTOS 06 & 07) ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE CAR WA…
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WHEN PULLING INTO MY GARAGE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT WALL OF THE GARAGE (PHOTO 08); WHEN I SHIFTED TO REVERSE, THE CAR CAREENED OUT OF THE GARAGE, ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY, AND COLLIDED WITH MY NEIGHBOR'S HOME (PHOTO 09), LEAVING SKID MARKS (PHOTOS 06 & 07) ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE CAR WAS IN NORMAL ELECTRIC MODE AT THE TIME. I PURCHASED THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR ON MAY 3RD FROM DAVE GILL CHEVROLET IN COLUMBUS, OH. THERE WERE 12,490 MILES ON THE CAR AT PURCHASE AND A LITTLE LESS THAN 14,000 MILES AS THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. I AM UPLOADING NINE (9) PHOTOS.
WHEN VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF GAS AND ONLY HAS BATTERY POWER (NO MATTER THE CHARGE) THE CAR GOES INTO REDUCED POWER MODE WHICH IS DANGEROUS IN ANY TRAFFIC ESPECIALLY INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS!!! THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU RUN OF GAS!! ALSO THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME AND DISENGAGES BY ITS SELF FOR NO REASON(LIKE NOTHING I…
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WHEN VEHICLE RUNS OUT OF GAS AND ONLY HAS BATTERY POWER (NO MATTER THE CHARGE) THE CAR GOES INTO REDUCED POWER MODE WHICH IS DANGEROUS IN ANY TRAFFIC ESPECIALLY INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS!!! THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU RUN OF GAS!! ALSO THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME AND DISENGAGES BY ITS SELF FOR NO REASON(LIKE NOTHING IN FRONT OF YOU)!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, A HOLE FORMED IN THE EMISSIONS PIPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE EMISSIONS CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING AND FUEL WAS VAPORIZED. HERITAGE CHEVROLET BUICK OWINGS MILLS (11234 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 211…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, A HOLE FORMED IN THE EMISSIONS PIPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE EMISSIONS CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING AND FUEL WAS VAPORIZED. HERITAGE CHEVROLET BUICK OWINGS MILLS (11234 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117) DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,600.
WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET MY CAR SERVICED FOR NEARLY STALLING AT A STOP LIGHT MY CAR ENGINE KEPT TURNING ON AND OFF AND REVVING UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY. I WAS IN ELECTRIC MODE AND THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COMING ON. THE CAR'S SPEED RANDOMLY FLUCTUATED AS THE ENGINE RANDOMLY REVVED UP AND DOWN. I PULLED IN TO A G…
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WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET MY CAR SERVICED FOR NEARLY STALLING AT A STOP LIGHT MY CAR ENGINE KEPT TURNING ON AND OFF AND REVVING UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY. I WAS IN ELECTRIC MODE AND THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COMING ON. THE CAR'S SPEED RANDOMLY FLUCTUATED AS THE ENGINE RANDOMLY REVVED UP AND DOWN. I PULLED IN TO A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT WHERE MY CAR DIED. BEFORE DYING THE GAS RANGE INDICATOR CHANGED FROM 87 MILES TO 'LOW FUEL'. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED. AFTER 16 DAYS I GOT MY CAR BACK. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE TWICE. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT FAILED WITHIN A 1 MILE TEST DRIVE BY THE MECHANIC.
THE CAR LITERALLY JUST STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS TURNING ON A BUSY ROAD, SO I WAS STUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH CARS NEARLY SMASHING INTO THE BACK OF ME. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE ACCELERATOR STOPPED WORKING. I COULDN'T TURN IT OFF OR ON- IT WAS KIND ON JUST STUCK IN AN ALTERNATE MODE. THERE WAS AN ORANGE ENG…
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THE CAR LITERALLY JUST STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS TURNING ON A BUSY ROAD, SO I WAS STUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH CARS NEARLY SMASHING INTO THE BACK OF ME. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE ACCELERATOR STOPPED WORKING. I COULDN'T TURN IT OFF OR ON- IT WAS KIND ON JUST STUCK IN AN ALTERNATE MODE. THERE WAS AN ORANGE ENGINE SYMBOL THAT WAS LIT UP AND IT KEPT SAYING "SHIFT TO PARK" BUT I WOULD SHIFT AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. I COULDN'T PUT IT IN NEUTRAL SO I COULD PUSH IT TO A SAFER LOCATION. NOTHING. THE TECHNICIAN ON THE PHONE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT, BUT SOMEONE WHO STOPPED TO HELP SAID HE USED TO WORK ON THESE CARS AND SAID IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN AND IT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO FIX IT (I THOUGHT I REMEMBER HIM SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT AN ENGINE SWITCH PROBLEM, BUT I WAS SO FRAZZLED I WASN'T REALLY LISTENING TO HIM) . IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE CARS HAVE NO BEEN RECALLED.
WE BOUGHT A NEW 2017 CHEVY VOLT AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2016 AND HAD OUR FIRST ISSUE IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2017. WHAT HAPPENED THAT FIRST TIME WAS ON (2/3/2017) WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING TURNED OFF THE ELECTRIC WHEEL MOTORS AND WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO POWER THE CAR PROPERLY TO GET THE CAR TO THE BERM. WE WER…
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WE BOUGHT A NEW 2017 CHEVY VOLT AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2016 AND HAD OUR FIRST ISSUE IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2017. WHAT HAPPENED THAT FIRST TIME WAS ON (2/3/2017) WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING TURNED OFF THE ELECTRIC WHEEL MOTORS AND WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO POWER THE CAR PROPERLY TO GET THE CAR TO THE BERM. WE WERE NEARLY WERE HIT TWICE WHILE TRYING TO STEER THE CAR OFF OF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AS IT DECELERATED. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED AN NEEDED TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK THEY RETURNED IT WITH THE EXPLANATION THAT THE CAR NEEDED TO DO SOFTWARE UPDATES AND THEY WERE TOO LARGE TO DO OVER THE CAR'S SATELLITE SYSTEM ' BUT THEY NEVER GAVE US ANY INDICATION OF HOW WE WOULD HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE NEED FOR SUCH AN UPDATE. WE THEN HAD ANOTHER NEAR ACCIDENT TODAY (4/6/2017) ON THE SAME HIGHWAY AND WE WERE NEARLY PUSHED UP UNDER A SEMI WHILE TRYING TO MANEUVER OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MILES AN HOUR. AGAIN, THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING SHUT OFF THE ELECTRIC WHEEL MOTORS AND WARNED US TO 'PUT THE CAR IN PARK'. IT HAPPENED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AS IN FEBRUARY BUT NO WARNINGS HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR OUR CAR AND WE ALMOST HAD A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. MY CONCERN IS FOR MY FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES SAFETY AT THIS POINT AND I DON'T WANT ANYONE DRIVING IN THIS CAR. I HATE TO THINK OF WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TODAY IF MY DAUGHTER, WHO IS A BRAND NEW DRIVER, WOULD HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE SAME SITUATION SANDWICHED IN BY TWO SEMI-TRUCKS AND WITH A CAR TRYING TO PASS ON THE SHOULDER AROUND HER ' IT COULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE. I AM IN SEVERAL CHEVY VOLT GROUPS ON FACEBOOK AND PEOPLE WHO LOVED THE GENERATION 1 OF THESE CARS ARE HAVING MAJOR ISSUES FROM BATTERY PACKS DYING, TO DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES, TO SPEED CONTROL PROBLEMS AND MORE WHERE PEOPLE ARE HAVING MAJOR SYSTEM PIECES REPLACED 2-3 TIMES IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS THEY OWN THE CARS.
STRONG BURNING AND/OR FUEL SMELL FILLED THE PASSENGER CABIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MOST NOTABLY WHEN THE CAR WAS OPERATING IN 'ENGINE RUNNING DUE TO TEMPERATURE' MODE. THE ODOR WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE DIZZINESS AND REQUIRED TO THE WINDOWS TO BE OPENED TO VENT THE CABIN. THE SMELL AND ORDER NOW IS PERSISTENT E…
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STRONG BURNING AND/OR FUEL SMELL FILLED THE PASSENGER CABIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MOST NOTABLY WHEN THE CAR WAS OPERATING IN 'ENGINE RUNNING DUE TO TEMPERATURE' MODE. THE ODOR WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE DIZZINESS AND REQUIRED TO THE WINDOWS TO BE OPENED TO VENT THE CABIN. THE SMELL AND ORDER NOW IS PERSISTENT EVEN WHEN DRIVING IN ALL-ELECTRIC MODE. MY INTENSION IS TO REPLACE THE CABIN AIR FILTER WITH A CARBON AIR FILTER PER 16-NA-127.
WE ARE WRITING TO VOICE A VERY DISCONCERTING AND DANGEROUS INCIDENT WITH OUR 2017 CHEVY VOLT. ON A RETURN TRIP AT DARK FROM CLEVELAND, OHIO TO ROCHESTER, NY ON 12-26-16, OUR ENGINE SUDDENLY GAVE WARNING BEEPS WHICH PROMPTED MY HUSBAND TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER ON INTERSTATE 90 IN ERIE, PA. WE HAD ALL OF 15-20 SECONDS TO GE…
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WE ARE WRITING TO VOICE A VERY DISCONCERTING AND DANGEROUS INCIDENT WITH OUR 2017 CHEVY VOLT. ON A RETURN TRIP AT DARK FROM CLEVELAND, OHIO TO ROCHESTER, NY ON 12-26-16, OUR ENGINE SUDDENLY GAVE WARNING BEEPS WHICH PROMPTED MY HUSBAND TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER ON INTERSTATE 90 IN ERIE, PA. WE HAD ALL OF 15-20 SECONDS TO GET OFF THIS HEAVILY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR LITERALLY SHUT DOWN.. NOTHING WORKED NOT EVEN THE WARNING FLASHERS. WE COULD NOT OPEN THE TRUNK, AND HAD WE NOT KEPT ONE DOOR OPEN WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ENTER THE CAR. IN SUMMARY, THE TOTAL FAILURE WE ENCOUNTERED SHOWS THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE RELATED TO THIS CAR. WE ARE NOW RELUCTANT TO TAKE IT ON TRIPS THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD WE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER.
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.