2016 Chevrolet Volt

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.

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.

**Subject: Formal Request for Reconsideration – BECM Special Coverage N232432680 – 2016 Chevrolet Volt** Dear General Motors Customer Assistance, I am requesting a formal reconsideration of my 2016 Chevrolet Volt's eligibility for GM Special Coverage N232432680. My vehicle currently has approximately 110,000 miles. The vehicle has experienced the following active diagnostic trouble codes: - P1E00 - U2619 - U2620 - U2621 - U2622 - U2623 - U2624 The vehicle intermittently becomes unable to drive and cannot be charged. The dashboard displays "High Voltage Charging System Fault." These symptoms and diagnostic trouble codes are consistent with the BECM malfunction described in GM Technical Service Bulletin 18-NA-261 and Special Coverage N232432680. I understand that my vehicle has a Rebuilt Title due to an accident approximately three years ago. However, I would like to emphasize the following facts: 1. The high-voltage battery was not directly impacted or damaged in the accident. 2. The vehicle has been driven normally for approximately three years since the accident. 3. The current diagnostic trouble codes specifically correspond to the BECM communication failures identified in GM's technical bulletin. 4. The vehicle has approximately 110,000 miles, which is below the 150,000-mile limit stated in the special coverage. I respectfully request that GM conduct an individual technical and eligibility review rather than automatically rejecting my request solely because of the vehicle's rebuilt title. If GM determines that my vehicle is excluded from Special Coverage N232432680, please provide: - The specific written policy provision excluding Rebuilt Title vehicles. - The VIN eligibility determination from GM's warranty system. - Any technical evidence showing that the previous accident caused the present BECM malfunction. If my vehicle is ultimately determined to be ineligible for the special coverage, I also request Goodwill Assistance, including consideratio

NHTSA ID

11776288

Incident

May 10, 2020

BECM failed reducing propulsion. Known issue with several volts. Yes. Propulsion reduced. No start. Stuck in middle of street. Yes. Confirmed by dealership service department that becm is bad. Check engine, propulsion reduced, shift to park. Started appearing intermittently around 84000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11771130

Incident

Sep 5, 2026

The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) on my 2016 Chevrolet Volt has failed. The vehicle and the component are currently located at my home address and are available for inspection upon request. As of writing this now. This failure caused the vehicle to enter a "reduced power mode" and subsequently resulted in a no-start and no-charge condition. The sudden loss of propulsion power presents a severe safety and crash risk, as the vehicle can lose motive power and stall unexpectedly while in transit. Prior to the complete failure, the vehicle displayed a Check Engine Light and a "Reduced Propulsion Power" message on the dashboard. The local Chevrolet dealership has inspected the vehicle, pulled the associated diagnostic trouble codes, and officially confirmed that the BECM has failed. General Motors has already acknowledged this specific safety defect through Special Coverage Bulletin N232432680, which extends BECM warranty coverage to 15 years or 150,000 miles to prevent sudden loss of propulsion. However, GM corporate and the dealership are refusing to honor this bulletin. They are denying coverage due to an administrative database flaw because my vehicle's under-hood VECI label designates it as an original California (CARB/PZEV) vehicle, GM's system excluded my VIN from the Special Coverage bulletin automation. Furthermore, because the vehicle is currently registered in a non-CARB state (Texas), the original CARB warranty is considered void. GM is using this internal database loophole to deny repairing a documented safety defect.

NHTSA ID

11747550

Incident

Jun 22, 2026

I purchased the above-listed 2016 Chevrolet Volt through Carvana, relying on the contractual promise that the BECM was covered under Special Coverage N232432680 for up to 15yrs or 150k miles. The vehicle has suffered persistent, severe mechanical and electrical issues resulting in a prolonged loss of use: 1. Initial Breakdown and Delivery: The vehicle originally had a Reduced Propulsion Power Alert on Monday [XXX] around 8pm and nearly caused me to be rear ended on a major road due to accelration issues. It then officially broke down on Tuesday, [XXX]. It was then delivered to Vic Koenig Chevrolet (1040 E Main St, Carbondale, IL 62901) via Tow By Freedom Towing the following Friday, May 29, 2026. 2. Delayed Work Start & Shop Stay: Vic Koenig Chevrolet was able to officially begin diagnostic and repair work on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The facility held the vehicle for several weeks to address the failures. 3. Brief Release and Immediate Re-Breakdown: I picked up the vehicle upon its supposed completion on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Then less than 24 hours later, on Wednesday, [XXX], the vehicle suffered a recurring breakdown and had to be returned to the dealership immediately. 4. Wrongful Coverage Denials: On Thursday June 19, 2026, Silver Rock claims representatives issued explicit coverage denials to me via text message. That same day, service representatives from Vic Koenig Chevrolet phoned Silver Rock multiple times to provide diagnostic evidence, But SilverRock repeatedly issued oral denials over the phone. They stated the PCM and BECM were not included in the contract, screenshots of the vontract state the opposite. SilverRock sent this refusal via email to me on June 19. I also contacted GM by phone on Wednesday 5/27/26 and so did the dealership and they refused to cover my vehicle under the Special Warranty for the known issue. I tried to request a cost reduction and they denied it again on 6/22/26. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11745571

Incident

May 25, 2026

My 2016 Chevy Volt started experiencing the "Propulsion Power is Reduced" issues associated with a faulty BCEM unit. I brought my vehicle in for service at a Chevy dealer and they confirmed that the BCEM needed to be replaced. This is a known issue resulting in special coverage under N232432680. Chevy is not honoring the special coverage for my vehicle despite my vehicle being less that 15 years old and having fewer than 150,000 miles. According to the service manager after talking to someone higher up the food chain at Chevy, "they're no longer covering this service."

NHTSA ID

11737027

Incident

May 11, 2026

I have a 2016 Chevy volt. It had to be towed to a Chevy dealership because it will not drive. The BECM module has failed, as is apparently the case with so many volt owners. GM, as a result of lawsuits about this car, extended the warrantee to fix the issue, but my vin number is not included in the case. The gar is a brick, and there is no way to fix it now. GM doen't even replace these batteries any more, and most often just buys back the bad vehicles. I still owe 9k on this car and it is useless now. I need help. These are the codes is is throwing. B101D P1EOO P1EAC POAFA B3111 U3001 U2401 U2603 U2604 U2605 U2606 U2617 U2618 U2619 U2620 U2621 U2622 U2623 U2624 P1FD1 P1FD2 P1FD3 P1FD4

NHTSA ID

11725794

Incident

Mar 14, 2026

Vehicle displayed reduced propulsion and shift to park while driving on highway then suddenly stopped. Dealer said battery failed after a year of diagnosing issue. Issue may be BECM which has extended warranty service but dealer not addressing the issue of car stalling but instead other costly minor issues leaving the vehicle a safety concern. Replacing battery with a bad BECM would lead to exact same issue

NHTSA ID

11725573

Incident

Jun 19, 2025

After experiencing loss of power and loss of propulsion on the highway, took the car to Tropical Chevrolet in Miami Shores, FL. after diagnosing the car for $287.37 (credited to the estimate total of $3101.20), the dealership replaced the Battery Energy Control Module and bled the battery pack cooling system. We paid the bill ($2665.89). On January 4, 2026 the check engine light came on again when the propulsion was reduced again, while driving on a highway. Tropical reported that the cause of the failure was their failure to replace or do the original repair at all. They replaced the exhaust gas recirculation valve and refilled the cooling system. The parts should be covered by warranty. We filed a claim with GM 2 months ago and still have not been reimbursed.

NHTSA ID

11723689

Incident

Nov 21, 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3

This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.