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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2025
Fuel/propulsion System

Component: Battery Energy Control Module, available from dealership ATM Daughter's safety compromised when vehicle power decreased quickly to 5mph in the middle of fast heavy city traffic. The problem has been confirmed by Chevrolet dealership service department The vehicle has not been inspected by other than dealership service…

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Component: Battery Energy Control Module, available from dealership ATM Daughter's safety compromised when vehicle power decreased quickly to 5mph in the middle of fast heavy city traffic. The problem has been confirmed by Chevrolet dealership service department The vehicle has not been inspected by other than dealership service center. I contacted GM, and was told that the component was replaced once already in 2021, so they will not replace it a second time on special coverage N232432680 released March 6, 2024. Warnings:Propulsion 11/3/25 Power Reduced and check engine light on 11/3/25. GM dealer service center cleared codes, did a software update 11/7/25: Propulsion Power Reduced and check engine light again. Vehicle is at GM dealer service center.

NHTSA ODI #11699163

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2025
Engine

My wife and I were on a 200 mile trip and the engine failed about 150 miles into the trip. Was driving and the instrument panel indicated that the engine was in reduced power mode. I switched over to battery power but had only approximately 10 miles of range left so after a couple of miles I switched back to engine power and was…

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My wife and I were on a 200 mile trip and the engine failed about 150 miles into the trip. Was driving and the instrument panel indicated that the engine was in reduced power mode. I switched over to battery power but had only approximately 10 miles of range left so after a couple of miles I switched back to engine power and was almost immediately informed by the instrument panel that the engine was in failure mode. Was fortunate that there was an exit nearby and was able to use the remaining battery power to exit the highway and pack the car before there was no power.the car was towed to a dealer and we were told that the egr valve and cooler had failed.they were replaced and I was told that they were not covered by the federal emissions warranty so the cost would be $4000.the car was driven with the vast majority being electric power.

NHTSA ODI #11695779

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2025
Engine

The EGR valve clogged, causing a a servo to blow the F3 fuse, disabling the engine while driving. This occured suddenly while driving on a busy road with no shoulders. I managed to coast into a parking lot not too far away but I had no charge left in my battery. I could only get the engine to start back up for less than a minut…

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The EGR valve clogged, causing a a servo to blow the F3 fuse, disabling the engine while driving. This occured suddenly while driving on a busy road with no shoulders. I managed to coast into a parking lot not too far away but I had no charge left in my battery. I could only get the engine to start back up for less than a minute at a time. I got my car inspected by Chevrolet and they confirmed they issue. Very shortly before the engine cut off, the car started jolting. There weren't any warning lights or error codes before this.

NHTSA ODI #11693733

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2025
Fuel/propulsion System

Chevy had done an update for the Propulsion Power being reduced. In 2024, I had to do another update when the check engine light came on. After that the electric battery power decreased, I am only getting 17 miles per charge. August 2025, the check engine light came on again. I had it check and no codes came up. While driving ho…

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Chevy had done an update for the Propulsion Power being reduced. In 2024, I had to do another update when the check engine light came on. After that the electric battery power decreased, I am only getting 17 miles per charge. August 2025, the check engine light came on again. I had it check and no codes came up. While driving home on the freeway, the Propulsion Power being reduced warning came up. I had to pull off the freeway. Once I turned my vehicle off, I was unable to drive my car. There was not any acceleration. I had to have my car towed 50 miles home. A mechanic was able to repair it at that time. On 10/7/2025 the check engine light came on again and once again no codes appeared, on 10/14/25 the Propulsion Power being reduced warning came on again. I was able to get home safely, but I got off the freeway and took side streets home. At this time, the vehicle will not accelerate.

NHTSA ODI #11693560

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2025
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

The car can't decide if it wants to use the battery or the engine. It shows zero charge even though it is full. It lurches at stop lights as it tries to decide whether to use battery or engine. It says "propulsion power reduced". "Not able to charge". "Shift to park". Check engine light is on.

NHTSA ODI #11693450

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2025
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Dashboard displays “Shift to Park” message even when the shifter is in the park position for the past month. I am unable to turn off the vehicle completely until I Shift to drive then back to park multiple times.

NHTSA ODI #11691369

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2025
Engine

The dealer reported having repaired an emissions recall for a fuel vapor leak, however the repair was ineffective and the vehicle still reports the leak as a fault code "slow" and "fast" emissions leak. The dealer refused to recheck their work without payment. Recently I came into possesion of a borescope camera and was able to…

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The dealer reported having repaired an emissions recall for a fuel vapor leak, however the repair was ineffective and the vehicle still reports the leak as a fault code "slow" and "fast" emissions leak. The dealer refused to recheck their work without payment. Recently I came into possesion of a borescope camera and was able to photograph the dealer's "repair". The photos clearly show the parts for the emissions repair are located in the wrong place as compared with GM's own service bulletin. Therefore the dealer did not do the repair, or failed to do the repair, and refused to check there own work without compensation when informed of the continuing problems and left me to do their recheck of their work at my own expense. I have provided photos of the GM prescribed parts placement and the incorrectly placed parts in my car as well as the resulting damage. We never experienced the relief intended to be provided by the repair service. They claim to have performed the necessary recall service, but THAT IS A FALSE CLAIM. See Chevrolet TSB N192273600. NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY SO FAILED. The dealer, Haselwood Chevrolet, Bremerton Washington, was contacted by phone and email but offers no response. They have the pictures of the botched repair job. Additionally the car needs warranty service for a bad park switch which service they refuse to perform without my agreeing in advance to pay for that in warranty repair.

NHTSA ODI #11690944

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2025
Fuel/propulsion System

In 2020, GM issued a recall (#N192273600) for emissions pipes on the Chevy Volt that could be compromised by rubbing against the A/C hose connector. I took my vehicle to my local dealership (Chesrown Chevrolet) to have this issue remedied, that same year. This year, my check engine light came on and this same dealership inform…

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In 2020, GM issued a recall (#N192273600) for emissions pipes on the Chevy Volt that could be compromised by rubbing against the A/C hose connector. I took my vehicle to my local dealership (Chesrown Chevrolet) to have this issue remedied, that same year. This year, my check engine light came on and this same dealership informed me that the cause was this same issue (i.e. a compromised emissions pipe due to rubbing against the A/C/ hose connector). Assuming the fix was conducted per GM's specs, GM did not provide an adequate fix for their faulty design.

NHTSA ODI #11687927

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Electrically actuated EGR valve fails, it draws too much current and blows the F03 fuse (Labeled “No Walk Home”) which has 4 other components on it, this causes “Reduced propulsion” message, soon after the engine overheats due to one or more of the 3 other components that lost power, and the “Engine not available” message appear…

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Electrically actuated EGR valve fails, it draws too much current and blows the F03 fuse (Labeled “No Walk Home”) which has 4 other components on it, this causes “Reduced propulsion” message, soon after the engine overheats due to one or more of the 3 other components that lost power, and the “Engine not available” message appears and the vehicle loses all motive power. This syndrome is well documented in the GM-Volt online forum. Additionally this vehicle has portions of the EV battery that failed, I am still waiting for battery parts to arrive and its been 4 months, many owners have waited between 1 and 2 years for the battery to be fixed, this contributed to this issue as the electric propulsion would have possibly been available if the warrantied battery was repaired within a reasonable timeframe. I was refused a service loaner. My recent contact with Chevrolet customer service suggested I rent a car, and they will reimburse $45 per day, however they insist I pay for it and when the repair is complete, they will reimburse me. There is a gentleman on the Volt forum who has laid out about $5,000 on rental cars for well over a year, and is finally reluctantly getting a buyback, but they depreciated the car but did separately make good on the rental reimbursement. Neither he nor I really want that result, we want the car repaired in a good faith effort, instead both battery parts and EGR valves are in short supply. Currently the GM part is between $1400 and $2500 when in 2024 the same part was widely available for $240. I understand this is a bit rambling, but the context matters, and GM is dragging their feet on servicing the warranty liability they have. My TZEV warranty is good until 2034 and they are actively trying to kill my car off to save the ongoing cost of servicing this warranty. They are also putting owners at risk. Please consider a battery recall and an EGR valve recall. Regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11683029

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2025
Electrical System

When shift lever is moved to Park, the car often does not recognize it is in Park and can't be shut down. It takes a lot of time of moving the selector in and out of Park to finally get the car to recognize it is in Park. During an occasion when the car would not go into Park, the car ran for hours while the driver was at work. …

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When shift lever is moved to Park, the car often does not recognize it is in Park and can't be shut down. It takes a lot of time of moving the selector in and out of Park to finally get the car to recognize it is in Park. During an occasion when the car would not go into Park, the car ran for hours while the driver was at work. This seems to be a known issue (micro switch) with this model. This is available for inspection upon request. Safety is at risk because this condition leads to not being able to shut the car down, which leads to the potential for a dead battery and getting stranded. While I have not yet had my car's problem reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, there is a lot of evidence in online forums of the prevalence of this problem. The vehicle/component has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There weren't any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure as long as we've owned the vehicle. We purchased this vehicle less than a week ago, on August 2, 2025. The issue presented itself once on our test drive and again intermittently in the six days we've owned the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11679207

Official recalls

2

18V673000 · 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

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.