NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
182 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 10, 2025
Engine
The car has a Check Engine Light and "reduced propulsion" warning. Based on OBDII errors, the EGR on my chevy volt failed. I am not in a CARB state (i'm in Hawaii, though I bought my Volt in CA, which is a CARB state). The EGR issues plague all Gen2 Chevy Volts, and tends to break around 40-70k miles into the life of the car. …
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The car has a Check Engine Light and "reduced propulsion" warning. Based on OBDII errors, the EGR on my chevy volt failed. I am not in a CARB state (i'm in Hawaii, though I bought my Volt in CA, which is a CARB state). The EGR issues plague all Gen2 Chevy Volts, and tends to break around 40-70k miles into the life of the car. EGR spare part availability is very limited. Given the frequency with which this car breaks for this issue, and the negative impact on emissions, this should be a recall issue nationwide, not just for states that keep CARB requirements.
NHTSA ODI #11641741
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
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 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!!
NHTSA ODI #11639289
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2025
Engine
My car's check engine light went on and after a while started blinking. The car would not go. When I got it towed and checked by the dealership, they said my EGR Valve had an issue and needed to be replaced. They said the part was on backorder and it could take months and tried to charge me $2,000 up front to "reserve the part."…
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My car's check engine light went on and after a while started blinking. The car would not go. When I got it towed and checked by the dealership, they said my EGR Valve had an issue and needed to be replaced. They said the part was on backorder and it could take months and tried to charge me $2,000 up front to "reserve the part." It seems like GM has deprioritized this part and is putting drivers like myself at risk of not being able to use our cars and not being able to pass emissions inspections required in my state. This was originally diagnosed in spring 2024 and I have been unable to get a replacement as of January 2025
NHTSA ODI #11636544
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion System
This is a safety issue for Chevy Volt. After seven years of good operation, our 2017 Chevrolet Volt stopped running in traffic while we were driving on [XXX]. The Check Engine Light was on, and "Reduced Propulsion" Message on dashboard panel. We brought it to the dealer from whom we purchased the vehicle. Tech Report paraphr…
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This is a safety issue for Chevy Volt. After seven years of good operation, our 2017 Chevrolet Volt stopped running in traffic while we were driving on [XXX]. The Check Engine Light was on, and "Reduced Propulsion" Message on dashboard panel. We brought it to the dealer from whom we purchased the vehicle. Tech Report paraphrased, Customer states CK Engine Light is on and "Reduced Propulsion" Message on dash Fault Codes: P0030, P0031, P0054, P0135, P0403, P0405, P0443, P0458, P0489, P0597, P0598, P06DA, P06DB Found fuse [F03] blown for EGR valve Likely EGR Valve sticking and causing fuse to blow. The technician stated the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve is defective, and needs to be replaced. Replacements are scarce, on backorder, and can be many weeks or months to wait for a part. Many report their Volt unusable, sitting idle, waiting for EGR replacement. EGR valve replacement cost is quoted as $2800, which is quite expensive for a valve replacement. This has been happening in recent time to many Volt owners. There are many reports in online forums and no the GM forum website. [XXX] There has been no diligence, interest, nor cooperation from GM. The cost of replacing the defective valve is usurious, outrageous, indefensible. This is a problem well known by GM, who neglects their obligation to contact owners of a safety hazard inherent in their vehicles. The Volt's EGR valve can cause the car to shut down by blowing the "walk home" [F03] fuse, which was our experience. This is a safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11632222
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
Problems with EGR valves still in defects, and engine gaz motor loose power. GM don’t have enough parts to resolve them.
NHTSA ODI #11632090
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
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.
NHTSA ODI #11630490
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion System
The vehicle tells me to "stop and shift to park" while I am driving, and power was lost to accessories such as the climate control. Since the EGR was identified as the cause of the problem, the car remains on "Propulsion Power Reduced" mode. The EGR has been backordered for months, if not years, and aftermarket third-party EGR v…
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The vehicle tells me to "stop and shift to park" while I am driving, and power was lost to accessories such as the climate control. Since the EGR was identified as the cause of the problem, the car remains on "Propulsion Power Reduced" mode. The EGR has been backordered for months, if not years, and aftermarket third-party EGR valves are not readily available either. However, there is no recall, and this is clearly a common problem on these vehicles as attested on GM-Volt forums. The EGR failed about one year ago, but now the message on reduced propulsion power is presented every time I start the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11629322
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2024
Engine
Vehicle went to low power mode on the interstate (I4) and was unable to drive at normal safe speeds. Engine overheated and would not allow vehicle to drive over about 10 mph, had to drive slowly on interstate until I could pull off safely to let it cool and get towed home. Technicians verified it is the known EGR valve issue, w…
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Vehicle went to low power mode on the interstate (I4) and was unable to drive at normal safe speeds. Engine overheated and would not allow vehicle to drive over about 10 mph, had to drive slowly on interstate until I could pull off safely to let it cool and get towed home. Technicians verified it is the known EGR valve issue, which happens often and isnt covered under any warranty. From research online this is a common problem that strands people in Volts and GM wont fix and cant even get more parts for to repair vehicle. Can leave people with sudden power loss while driving and limit driving speeds to unsafe levels unexpectedly.
NHTSA ODI #11628228
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2024
Engine
The EGR valve failed and has been on order for over 6 months. I unplugged it to keep the car operational, but it will not pass an environmental inspection without a new valve. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT ON ONLINE FORUMS. Something needs to happen to force GM to resolve this issue.
NHTSA ODI #11627678
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2024
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
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)
NHTSA ODI #11622133
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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