2017 Chevrolet Volt Problems

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the "Propulsion Power Reduced" and "Shift to Park" messages were intermittently displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle lost automotive power and stalled, and the contact pulled over to the shoulder to avoid a crash. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact sustained emotional distress from the failure. The vehicle was towed back to the residence and then towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the battery energy control module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that he had experienced a recurring loss of propulsion that would occur shortly after vehicle startup, which was attributed to a failure with the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The failure caused the check engine, ABS, Stabili-Trak, and Forward Collision Avoidance warning lights to illuminate. The contact informed the local dealer of the failure and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer acknowledged that there was a Customer Satisfaction Program for the failure, but the vehicle was not included. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction Module replaced but not covered under Special Coverage N232432680

While driving down highway rapidly slowed to 15mph. "reduced propulsion" was displayed with significant battery and gas left. Caused cars to swerve and pile up behind me. The car was inspected by dealer and received a variety of U26XXX codes. Dealer states its a faulty BECM. There was no warning lights on before the incident and have had no issues till then. We were lucky this was during the day. Nighttime would have been a terrible accident with oncoming traffic. Dealer is not wanting to cover BECM repair from GM Special Coverage Bulletin N232432680 that was investigated by your organization a couple of years ago.

Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction Module replaced but not covered under Special Coverage N232432680

Received "reduced propulsion" message, with no engine detected. Car slowed to a near stop while driving on the Interstate highway. Very dangerous to have that suddenly happen. Message popped up randomly with no prior warning.

3rd failure of EGR valve (GM part 12691147, superseded by 19436521) on this vehicle. 10/10/2019 at 11,336 mi: Check Engine Light and Driver Information Center displayed "Loss of Propulsion" message; EGR valve diagnosed as cause and replaced by dealer under warranty at no cost. 11/2023 at approx. 30,000 mi: EGR valve failed again; dealer stated OEM part was no longer available from manufacturer due to supply shortage and installed a third-party replacement part; repair not covered, paid out of pocket. 8/26/2026 at 49,864 mi: EGR valve failed a third time; a used, refurbished part was sourced due to continued unavailability of a reliable new OEM part, with repair scheduled for 9/14/2026, again paid out of pocket. This is a known, recurring failure on 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volts, referenced in GM Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-206. The failure does not present only as an emissions fault — it triggers a "Loss of Propulsion" driver warning, indicating a direct impact on the vehicle's ability to be safely driven. Sustained unavailability of the OEM part is forcing owners toward third-party or used/refurbished parts of unknown long-term reliability, at repeated cost to the owner, in order to keep the vehicle operable.

Received "reduced propulsion" message, with no engine detected. Car slowed to a near stop while driving on the Interstate highway. Very dangerous to have that suddenly happen. Message popped up randomly with no prior warning.

Experiencing intermittent propulsion system failure with multiple simultaneous warning messages on 2017 Chevrolet Volt at approximately 59,000 miles. WARNINGS DISPLAYED: - "Propulsion Power Reduced" message - "Check Tire Pressure Monitoring System" (false alert - all tires properly inflated and recently replaced) - Multiple dashboard warning lights including exclamation point indicators - Vehicle exhibits abnormal driving characteristics PATTERN: Issue occurs intermittently while driving. Vehicle can be restarted and may operate normally afterward, then fault returns unpredictably. SAFETY CONCERN: This matches documented Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) failure pattern referenced in GM investigation N232432680/PE23022 and Customer Satisfaction Program 17228 recall N172096420 for reduced propulsion power in 2016-2018 Volts. Review of owner complaints shows other 2017 Volt owners experiencing sudden complete loss of propulsion while driving at highway speeds, creating dangerous situations requiring evasive action by other drivers. RISK: Loss of propulsion power while driving with dependent passengers creates serious crash risk. Vehicle is used for daily transportation of minor children. REQUEST: Vehicle exhibits known defect pattern but manufacturer has not extended recall coverage. Request investigation into whether recall should be expanded to cover additional affected vehicles.

I was driving in stop and go traffic on a relatively busy road when I was cut off. I braked hard to avoid a collision. Immediately afterwards, the car would not respond to the accelerator and would not go forward. I was in the middle of the road and the car would not respond. It could have caused an accident. I put the car into park and then back into drive and it seemed to work again. But I am now worried about the car.

I was driving in stop and go traffic on a relatively busy road when I was cut off. I braked hard to avoid a collision. Immediately afterwards, the car would not respond to the accelerator and would not go forward. I was in the middle of the road and the car would not respond. It could have caused an accident. I put the car into park and then back into drive and it seemed to work again. But I am now worried about the car.

Unknown My car has been accelerating and decelerating on it’s own while I’m driving.I got it checked with Fix Finder and states that my EGR Valve and ABS System failed. I brought it to a mechanic for a repair and I was told that the valve was unplugged so they plugged it back in and cleaned it , and said that everything was fine it said it might also be the cause of the failed ABS System but everything looks fine. After I got it fixed, it’s doing the same again and it’s worse this time. The car is accelerating on it’s own faster than what it did but the dashboard is saying 0mph. I was driving in the highway when it happened and it’s scary so I had to pull over.

I am reporting a series of safety concerns regarding my 2017 Chevy Volt, which have persisted despite multiple attempts to address them with the dealership. These issues pose significant risks to my safety and that of others on the road. On January 18th, 2024, I brought my vehicle to the dealer after experiencing reduced propulsion power while driving on the highway, coupled with the illumination of the check engine light. The mechanic performed a quick inspection and used a GM scan tool to diagnose the issue, revealing the code P1E00 for the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2, which was cleared without a thorough investigation. I was advised to return if the issue reoccurred. Despite the reset, the problem persisted, and on February 9th, 2024, I scheduled another appointment due to my Chevy Volt's High Voltage battery charging only to 65% capacity despite indicating a full charge. Subsequently, on February 11th, 2024, the check engine light illuminated again, and on February 12th, 2024, November 25th, 2025, and January 11th, 2026, while driving to work, both times I experienced a loss of propulsion power on the highway, placing my safety at risk and lost all power in a traveling lane of traffic. These ongoing issues with propulsion power and the high-voltage battery charging system are not only inconvenient but also potentially dangerous. Despite multiple visits to the dealership and attempts to diagnose and resolve the problem, it persists, indicating a systemic issue that requires immediate attention. The reduced propulsion power while driving on the highway, coupled with the illumination I urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate this matter thoroughly to ensure the safety of Chevy Volt drivers and passengers. It is imperative that General Motors addresses these issues promptly and implements appropriate measures to prevent further incidents.

On [XXX] while traveling at highway speed my Chevrolet volt abruptly lost propulsion and an alert was displayed to pull over and turn car off. I was on [XXX] in California a 4 lane highway forced to cross 3 lanes of traffic at an exceptionally slow speed in heavy traffic. It is a miracle a crash did not occur. Fortunately other drivers were aware and able to stop or quickly change lanes. AAA towed directly to Stewart Chevrolet in Colma Ca. It was diagnosed and I was advised it is under warranty HOWEVER parts are on back order. Today [XXX] ~ the car still has not been repaired and I have been advised parts will not ship until September 2024. This is both dangerous and unacceptable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Airbag warning light illuminated on dash. Vehicle no longer registered the passenger in the front passenger seat. Dealer states diagnostic code indicates OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM SENSOR is faulty. None in stock and no expected delivery date. Until part is repaired/replaced the vehicle will not detect a front seat passenger so the front seat passenger airbags will NOT deploy in a collision. Dealer states cost of repair to be in excess of $1,100!!

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed, or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the message stating that the propulsion was reduced was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle, and the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact arrived at the destination and parked the vehicle, and the message “Shift to Park” was displayed even though the gear shifter was in park(P). The message “Charging Unavailable” was displayed. The contact stated that while charging the vehicle, the mileage was reduced from 72 miles to approximately 29 miles during the winter months, and 42 miles during the summer months, while still indicating a FULL charge. The “Shift to Park” failure had occurred twice the previous year, and the vehicle was turned off and restarted to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the hybrid power train control module had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the website, and a case was filed; however, a representative was not reached. The failure mileage was approximately 26,500.

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that the vehicle was lagging and hesitating before accelerating. The contact stated that an excessive amount of pressure was needed to depress the accelerator pedal while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced reduced Hybrid propulsion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while shifting the into park(P), the gear shift indicator failed to register park (P) and registered that the transmission was still in drive(D) and the vehicle failed to turn off as needed. The contact stated the “Shift to Park” warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be repaired. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated with the failure with TSB: 19NA206; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,600.

This Chevy Volt experiences transmission's shift-to-park error. This error prevents car from turning off due to not recognizing the shift gear is in the park position. After placing the shift into park and turning the power button off, the car turns back on again and flashes the shift-to-park error message. This apparently is a malfunction of gear shift which has been widely reported on GM-Volt community board on 2nd generation Volts.

The high-voltage heater control module (also known as the PTC coolant heater / K10 heater module) has failed. This component controls cabin heat and windshield defrost when the vehicle operates in electric mode. The authorized Chevrolet dealer diagnosed the issue, confirmed the failure, and attempted to order the correct GM part. GM informed the dealer that the part is no longer manufactured or available through GM channels. As a result, there is currently no GM-approved repair path. This failure prevents the vehicle from providing windshield defrost while operating in EV mode, which is required for safe winter visibility. I live in New Hampshire, where winter temperatures routinely require functioning cabin heat and defrost for safe operation and compliance with state visibility laws. Because this is a high-voltage thermal management component, there is no safe aftermarket repair option. The inability to obtain an OEM replacement part for a safety-related system prevents the vehicle from operating safely in intended EV mode.

P1E00 error code resulted in the propulsion system being reduced and climate controls turned off. My wife, driving at the time in a thunderstorm, lost the ability to drive the speed of traffic and also her windshield completely fogging up where she could not see. She could have been killed in this scenario in a number of ways. Took it to the dealer where GM apparently has no spare parts available for months??? Parts at fault are related to the EGR valve and cooler. CEL light came on and off for a few days prior. Failed to be able to pull the error code because it would go off.

Component or System Involved: The rear passenger-side seatbelt (right side from the driver’s view) on my 2017 Chevy Volt Premier malfunctioned. Specifically, the automatic locking retractor (ALR) mechanism failed and would not release tension, even after fully retracting the strap. The cut portion of the seatbelt is still in my possession and can be made available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This failure posed a serious safety risk. The seatbelt had been secured around a child car seat base, and once it locked, it would not release. After more than 30 minutes of troubleshooting — including fully retracting the belt and manually pressing the emergency release button inside the seat — it still would not disengage. The car seat base could not be repositioned or removed safely, which would have compromised the proper installation of a child safety seat. With no other option to ensure safe transport, I was forced to cut the seatbelt free. The problem has not yet been reproduced or officially diagnosed by a dealer or independent service center. I have not yet reported it to GM or visited a dealership, but I plan to do so soon. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives at this time. However, this closely mirrors recall 18V673000, especially since that recall affected Volt models 2018-2019 and mine is a 2017. There were no warning lamps, dashboard messages, or advance symptoms before the failure occurred. The seatbelt functioned normally until it was engaged with the car seat, at which point the retractor locked and failed to release.

EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS CURRENT 2018 CHEVROLET VOLT RECALL. BOTH OUTBOARD REAR SEATBELTS FAIL TO LOCK IN A WAY THAT A CARSEAT CAN BE INSTALLED. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED WHILE TRYING TO INSTALL A CAR SEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE MIDDLE REAR SEATBELT WORKS PERFECTLY. THE DATE LISTEN BELOW IS THE DATE THE ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED.

This seat is impossible to install safely in most vehicles. I have installed it into 4-5 different vehicles including cars, trucks, and SUVs. In every case but one it was impossible to install tightly enough so that it didn't move at least 3-4 inches freely. The one case where I could install it tightly I could lean the seat back to "suck it down" and then lean the seat forward again. This is not possible in most vehicles. The LATCH system binds and cannot be pulled tight by one person, it requires two adults. Installing with a seat belt is seriously dangerous as the back frame binds the seat belt and does not allow it to be pulled tight. And the cherry on top is that the five point harness doesn't stay tight. It creeps loose over the span of 10 or so minutes. We actually had to teach our son to pull it tight on longer road trips. I was shocked when we got a new car seat and had it installed safely and securely in a matter of minutes. This one takes at least an hour every time of wiggling and cajoling into place. These seats are junk and should be pulled from the market.

The vehicle’s service airbag warning light is illuminated. The dealership diagnostic indicates that the passenger seat sensor needs to be replaced. Based on my research, this was also an issue with the Volt’s 1st Gen models.

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while parked, the transmission was shifted into reverse (R); however, the vehicle failed to reverse. Additionally, the contact stated that while the transmission was shifted into drive (D) the vehicle failed to move. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed the contact that the body control module (BCM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

WHEN PULLING INTO MY GARAGE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT WALL OF THE GARAGE (PHOTO 08); WHEN I SHIFTED TO REVERSE, THE CAR CAREENED OUT OF THE GARAGE, ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY, AND COLLIDED WITH MY NEIGHBOR'S HOME (PHOTO 09), LEAVING SKID MARKS (PHOTOS 06 & 07) ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE CAR WAS IN NORMAL ELECTRIC MODE AT THE TIME. I PURCHASED THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR ON MAY 3RD FROM DAVE GILL CHEVROLET IN COLUMBUS, OH. THERE WERE 12,490 MILES ON THE CAR AT PURCHASE AND A LITTLE LESS THAN 14,000 MILES AS THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. I AM UPLOADING NINE (9) PHOTOS.

THIS ELECTRIC CAR HAS REGENERATIVE BRAKING. BESIDES BEING IN THE REGULAR BRAKING, THERE IS A PURE REGENERATIVE BRAKING PADDLE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. BUT WHEN YOU USE THIS BRAKE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT TURN ON. THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD AS I USE THIS BRAKE ALL THE TIME AND CARS BEHIND ME DO NOT KNOW I AM BRAKING AND HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED ME. CHEVY DEALER SAYS THAT IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED AND IS FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY. WHY HAS THIS BEEN APPROVED TO DESIGN A BRAKING SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS? WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS?

I took my car to Platinum Chevrolet in Santa Rosa, Ca. They did a checkup and claimed that both of the spindle axle washers were cracked and should be replaced ASAP. They told me that it could be very dangerous if I continued to drive the car without repair. They told me that this flaw was quite common on Chevy Volts. I researched on the internet and this flaw is reported quite often and is said to be dangerous. There is no recall for this flaw. If this flaw is very dangerous, WHY is there no recall?