IllustrationAFTER SHIFTING TO PARK TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE A SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN GARAGE AND PARKING LOTS.
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
What owners actually said
697 reportsACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK IS DISPLAYED EVERY TIME CAR IS TURNED OFF. MULTIPLE TIMES PRESSING AND RELEASING THE SHIFT LOCK BUTTON ON THE SHIFT LEVER WHILE ALSO SWITCHING GEAR POSITIONS DOES FIX THE PROBLEM FOR NOW. IT APPEARS TO GET WORSE WITH TIME.
WHEN I SHIFT TO PARK IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT. THE JUST STAYS ON. I HAVE A SERIOUS "SHIFT TO PARK" ISSUE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE JANUARY OF 2020. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES OVER THE PAST 8 MONTHS AND SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENTLY.
WHEN SHIFTING TO PARK AND TURNING OFF THE CAR, THE CAR WON'T TURN OFF AND AN ERROR ON DASH DISPLAYS "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. CHEVROLET CLAIMS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND REQUIRES A COST TO FIX.
'SHIFT TO PARK' MESSAGE APPEARS SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. HAVE TO PRESS THE START/STOP BUTTON NUMEROUS TIMES UNTIL IT TURNS OFF EVENTUALLY.
CAR ALERT "ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF CAR. HAVE TO SHIFT TO DRIVE THEN BACK TO PARK FOR THE CAR TO REGISTER IT'S IN PARK
WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED INTO PARK THE CAR WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN PUT IN PARK. ONCE THE MESSAGE APPEARS YOU CAN NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF SHIFTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE BACK INTO PARK OVER AND OVER UNTIL THE CAR WILL RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK. THE PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY SOME…
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WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED INTO PARK THE CAR WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN PUT IN PARK. ONCE THE MESSAGE APPEARS YOU CAN NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF SHIFTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE BACK INTO PARK OVER AND OVER UNTIL THE CAR WILL RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK. THE PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY SOMETIMES WITH EVERY CYCLE
THE 2017 VOLT, WHEN PUT INTO PARK, DOES NOT DETECT IT'S IN PARK AND GIVES A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. I CANNOT LEAVE THE CAR. I AM STUCK ROLLING THE CAR FORWARD AND BACK MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY REGISTERS IT'S IN PARK AND TURNS OFF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTANTLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. I READ ONLINE T…
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THE 2017 VOLT, WHEN PUT INTO PARK, DOES NOT DETECT IT'S IN PARK AND GIVES A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. I CANNOT LEAVE THE CAR. I AM STUCK ROLLING THE CAR FORWARD AND BACK MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY REGISTERS IT'S IN PARK AND TURNS OFF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTANTLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. I READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND WIDESPREAD ISSUE IN THE 2017 VOLT THAT GM IS REFUSING TO ADDRESS. THEY ARE ALSO REFUSING TO COVER IT UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGHT SHIFTING IS PART OF THE PROPULSION SYSTEM. I HAVE MISSED MEETINGS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LEAVE MY CAR. I FEAR BEING STRANDED WITH A CAR THAT WON'T TURN OFF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING REGULARLY BUT UNPREDICTABLY FOR ALL OF SUMMER 2020.
THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT TO PARK AND SHUT OFF. THE SHIFTER IS NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH THAT TELLS THE COMPUTER IT IS IN THE PARK POSITION. IT TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. GM NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE SHIFTER FOR ALL VOLT OWNERS.I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON 6/27/20 AND THEY REPLACED…
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THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT TO PARK AND SHUT OFF. THE SHIFTER IS NOT MAKING CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH THAT TELLS THE COMPUTER IT IS IN THE PARK POSITION. IT TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. GM NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE SHIFTER FOR ALL VOLT OWNERS.I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON 6/27/20 AND THEY REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS WHICH DID NOTHING.
WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED INTO PARK THE CAR WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN PUT IN PARK. ONCE THE MESSAGE APPEARS YOU CAN NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF SHIFTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE BACK INTO PARK OVER AND OVER UNTIL THE CAR WILL RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK. THE PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY SOME…
Read full complaint
WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED INTO PARK THE CAR WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN PUT IN PARK. ONCE THE MESSAGE APPEARS YOU CAN NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF SHIFTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE BACK INTO PARK OVER AND OVER UNTIL THE CAR WILL RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK. THE PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY SOMETIMES WITH EVERY CYCLE ON THE ENGINE FOUR TIMES STRAIGHT AND SOMETIMES IT WILL GO THE SAME NUMBER OF CYCLES WITHOUT OCCURRING. I HAVE HAD POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 2020 AND THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN AT LEAST 20% OF MY DRIVE CYCLES.
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.