IllustrationSHIFT TO PARK. VEHICLE DOES NOT TURN OFF AFTER SHIFTING TO PARK. THE CAR DOES NOT DETECT PARK MODE AND DRIVER HAS TO 'JIGGLE' SHIFT KNOB.
2018 Chevrolet Volt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Volt do not stand out strongly from 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
Limited mileage data: 50 of 222 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
222 reportsOVER THE LAST MONTH (STARTING AROUND JULY 6 BUT CONTINUING TODAY), WHEN I SHIFT MY CAR TO PARK AND ATTEMPT TO TURN IT OFF, MY VOLT DISPLAYS THE MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK" AND WILL NOT FULLY TURN OFF. THIS RESULTS IN ME NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK MY CAR AND THE LIGHTS STAY ON. THE MESSAGE APPEARS RANDOMLY ABOUT 50-75% OF MY ATTEMP…
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OVER THE LAST MONTH (STARTING AROUND JULY 6 BUT CONTINUING TODAY), WHEN I SHIFT MY CAR TO PARK AND ATTEMPT TO TURN IT OFF, MY VOLT DISPLAYS THE MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK" AND WILL NOT FULLY TURN OFF. THIS RESULTS IN ME NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK MY CAR AND THE LIGHTS STAY ON. THE MESSAGE APPEARS RANDOMLY ABOUT 50-75% OF MY ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE CAR IS ALWAYS STATIONARY OF COURSE AND IN PARK. TO FIX IT, I WILL DEPRESS THE SHIFTER BUTTON A FEW TIMES...OR HIT THE IGNITION BUTTON AGAIN, SHIFT TO DRIVE, AND BACK TO PARK. I MAY HAVE TO DO THESE SEVERAL TIMES TO EVENTUALLY GET IT TO STOP DISPLAYING THAT MESSAGE AND FULLY TURN OFF. I'VE HEARD THAT OVER TIME, THOSE FIXES WON'T WORK AND THE CAR JUST WILL NOT SHUT DOWN PROPERLY. ONLINE, I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH GEN 2 VOLTS. EVEN WHEN THEY GET THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED BY CHEVY, AFTER SOME TIME, THE ISSUE COMES BACK AGAIN. COULD THIS SHIFTER ASSEMBLY BE RECALLED SINCE IT IS SUCH A KNOWN ISSUE AND CONTINUES TO CAUSE PROBLEMS? THANK YOU!
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE CAR OFF- A MESSAGE APPEARS SAYING "ACTION REQUIRED- SHIFT INTO PARK". THE CAR IS IN PARK AND THE DASH REGISTERS THAT IT IS IN PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT IS LOCKED IN PARK BUT THE SYSTEM DOESN'T SENSE THAT IT IS IN PARK AND WON'T LET THE CAR SHUT OFF. HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT.
WHENEVER I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURN IF OFF, THE SCREEN ON THE DASH WILL SAY "PLEASE SHIFT TO PARK." I WILL TURN ON MY VEHICLE AND THEN SHIFT IT TO PARK AGAIN AND TURN IT OFF. SOMETIMES IT WILL STOP NOTIFYING ME AFTER ONE TIME AND OTHER TIMES I WILL HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND SHIFT IT TO PARK, EVEN THOUGH ITS IN PARK, SEVERAL…
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WHENEVER I PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURN IF OFF, THE SCREEN ON THE DASH WILL SAY "PLEASE SHIFT TO PARK." I WILL TURN ON MY VEHICLE AND THEN SHIFT IT TO PARK AGAIN AND TURN IT OFF. SOMETIMES IT WILL STOP NOTIFYING ME AFTER ONE TIME AND OTHER TIMES I WILL HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND SHIFT IT TO PARK, EVEN THOUGH ITS IN PARK, SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF AND I CANNOT LEAVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT STOPS NOTIFYING ME.
WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL SAY "SHIFT TO PARK" EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. THEN, THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, OVER MANY DAYS, WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY, IN ANY LOCATION, WHEN YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE CAR OFF.
VEHICLE GIVES A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE WHEN IT IS ALREADY IN PARK AND I AM ATTEMPTING TO TURN IT OFF. I HAVE TO SHIFT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND THEN SHIFT IT BACK TO PARK MANY TIMES BEFORE IT ALLOWS ME TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE "SHIFTER IN-LINE …
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VEHICLE GIVES A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE WHEN IT IS ALREADY IN PARK AND I AM ATTEMPTING TO TURN IT OFF. I HAVE TO SHIFT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND THEN SHIFT IT BACK TO PARK MANY TIMES BEFORE IT ALLOWS ME TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE "SHIFTER IN-LINE WIRE HARNESS JUMPER", AS INDICATED ON MY INVOICE. TWO DAYS LATER, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN.
"SHIFT TO PARK" DISPLAYS ON THE SCREEN EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. ELECTRIC MOTOR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. AND NOW THE SHIFTER DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE THERE IS NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE I WAS PARKING THE CAR. *TR
WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTED TO PARK AND TURNED OFF, A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE APPEARS. THE CARE HAS TO BE RESTARTED, SHIFTED OUT OF PARK, AND BACK TO PARK AGAIN IN ORDER TO TURN THE CAR OFF. THE PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY SPORADIC.ABOUT 8 OCCURRENCES SINCE EARLY JUNE, 2020.
"SHIFT TO PARK" ERROR DISPLAYS AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR INTO PARK. WHEN THIS ERROR MESSAGE OCCURS, I AM UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. *TR
WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE CAR OFF, IT SAYS I MUST SHIFT TO PARK, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. AS A RESULT, I CAN'T TURN THE CAR OFF AND I CAN'T LEAVE IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO LOCK THE DOORS WHEN IN THIS STATE. *TR
Official recalls
218V673000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Sep 26, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.
18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Aug 30, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
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.