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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

113 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I get the shift to park error 9/10 times I stop the engine. When I shift the gear to Park and turn off the engine, it gives me the "Shift to Park" error and will not allow the engine to turn off. I have to repeatedly jiggle the shifting gear until it finally turns off. It's a hazard that can leave me stranded. This started hap…

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I get the shift to park error 9/10 times I stop the engine. When I shift the gear to Park and turn off the engine, it gives me the "Shift to Park" error and will not allow the engine to turn off. I have to repeatedly jiggle the shifting gear until it finally turns off. It's a hazard that can leave me stranded. This started happening a few months ago. It used to be very rarely, but now, as I mentioned, is happening almost every time I try to stop the engine.

NHTSA ODI #11421719

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Rancid HVAC smell for the last 2 years. Florida dealer failed to diagnose it and did not turn on afterblow feature with simple 5 minute programming so now we hate to drive this Volt. It starts after a few seconds and gets worse for about 5 minutes unless using fan only then it never goes away. Recently took it to the HVAC specia…

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Rancid HVAC smell for the last 2 years. Florida dealer failed to diagnose it and did not turn on afterblow feature with simple 5 minute programming so now we hate to drive this Volt. It starts after a few seconds and gets worse for about 5 minutes unless using fan only then it never goes away. Recently took it to the HVAC specialists at the local dealer who diagnosed it as other than HVAC related smell even though it only happens when air goes through the vents. These same people make safety repairs and are ASE certified. GM customer service says it needs a second "permanent" treatment in 3 months (evaporator core foam and sealant) and then it will be better. Dealer failed to fix after 1 full day and 1 half day. Washed car each time and elongated a 3 inch windshield crack into almost the entire windshield top to bottom because they leave cars in the heat all day and then wash before the customer picks them up. The technician admitted it happens all the time (maybe wash when it first arrives or let people know it may cause a crack to get worse. Never charged the car even though that's a Volt process. Escalated in GM customer service she told me it will take 3 days to receive all info. No updates.

NHTSA ODI #11421523

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2021
Unknown Or Other

This is apparently a very well-known “shift to park“ problem. Once the car is shifted to park in the emergency brake is on, you press the button to turn the car off, but it won’t turn off. A shift to park notice comes up on the dashboard and the car will not turn off. It can take up to 15 times so far to turn the car off. I…

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This is apparently a very well-known “shift to park“ problem. Once the car is shifted to park in the emergency brake is on, you press the button to turn the car off, but it won’t turn off. A shift to park notice comes up on the dashboard and the car will not turn off. It can take up to 15 times so far to turn the car off. I entered today’s date as the date of the problem, but it’s been ongoing for about six or seven months. I’ve taken it into the Chevrolet dealer about this before, and they said it was part of a recall. They fix the recall, but the problem is persisting. They claim that since it didn’t happen at the dealership they can’t fix it.

NHTSA ODI #11421262

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

When turning off the car, after shifting to park, I get a message indicating "Shift to Park". As it is already in Park, there is nothing that can be done. I have sometimes been able to get it to go away by continually starting, shifting to drive, shifting back to park and then trying to shut the car down again. Sometimes I just …

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When turning off the car, after shifting to park, I get a message indicating "Shift to Park". As it is already in Park, there is nothing that can be done. I have sometimes been able to get it to go away by continually starting, shifting to drive, shifting back to park and then trying to shut the car down again. Sometimes I just don't have time to do it and have to leave the car in this state and leave the car. I doubt it could be driven as I have the key fob, but it is on and when I get back, the car is powered up. I am not sure if there are safety implications to this as I don't know the cause of this problem. I have researched on line and this is not unique to my 2017 Volt.

NHTSA ODI #11419956

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

The 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

NHTSA ODI #11417774

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Shift to park message comes up randomly. Doesn’t allow car to be put in drive. Goes away randomly.

NHTSA ODI #11417586

37,647 miles · Apr 30, 2021
Unknown Or Other

MY 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT PRESENTS A "SHIFT TO PARK" ERROR. WHEN I SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK AND PUSH THE START/STOP BUTTON, I RECEIVE AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASH DISPLAY INDICATING: "ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK." THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER REMAINS LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE PROBLEM IS ONLY CURRENTLY RESOLVED BY PRE…

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MY 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT PRESENTS A "SHIFT TO PARK" ERROR. WHEN I SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK AND PUSH THE START/STOP BUTTON, I RECEIVE AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE DASH DISPLAY INDICATING: "ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK." THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER REMAINS LOCKED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE PROBLEM IS ONLY CURRENTLY RESOLVED BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, FOLLOWED BY SHUTTING IT BACK OFF AGAIN. I HAVE HAD TO DO THIS UP TO 6 TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD ACTUALLY SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING IT INTO GEAR, FOLLOWED BY RETURNING IT TO PARK AND SHUTTING IT OFF, RESOLVES THE ISSUE. WHEN THE "SHIFT TO PARK" ISSUE OCCURS, I AM NOT ABLE TO LOCK MY VEHICLE AS IT IS STILL "RUNNING."

NHTSA ODI #11414674

32,500 miles · Apr 12, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11407602

38,000 miles · Mar 31, 2021
Unknown Or Other

GETTING SHIFT TO PARK NOTICE ON THE DASH. I HAVE TO FLICK THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER A FEW TIMES TO GET IT TO GO AWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11405842

26,200 miles · Mar 31, 2021
Unknown Or Other

AFTER SHIFTING CAR INTO PARK, AND POWERING OFF THE ENGINE THERE IS A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE DESPITE THE CAR ALREADY BEING IN PARK. THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OFF. THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11405709

Official recalls

0

No 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

2

PE23022 · 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.