2017 Chevrolet Volt Steering Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11710367

Incident

Jan 11, 2026

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)

NHTSA ID

11579412

Incident

Dec 8, 2023

Propulsion error, steering wheel locked up today, last week shut off to dead stop while idling, trouble restarting. Speed and sudden battery drop issues. 14 miles without any power steering. Unsafe.

NHTSA ID

11574375

Incident

Feb 27, 2024

I was driving and then the car turned off and was unable to restart. There was no warning. The car was fine and then it wasn't. The power steering also stops working. Fortunately I was at a red light and not in the intersection yet. The check engine light wasn't on. The BECM (battery control module) failed. I had to get the car towed to the dealership for the repair. The dealership repaired the issue for free since I was still under warranty.

NHTSA ID

11561253

Incident

Oct 12, 2023

While driving after the electric battery is used and switches over to gas, I have been getting the check engine, ABS, steering, parking, and brake lights. I have lost power steering, lost the speedometer, lost fuel range, lost stabilitrak, it has randomly turned on the emergency brake while all these other things are happening, It also has said “shift to park”, propulsion power reduced. I have taken it to the dealer and they read some of the codes but say they can’t find anything wrong and they need to be able to reproduce the problem to find it. I lost all propulsion and pulled over and turned it off and it stopped with a “clunk.” Then I turn it back on and just the check engine light is on. I’m very afraid to drive it but with the lack of vehicles available to buy and the dealer not knowing how to fix it I don’t know what to do.

NHTSA ID

11549089

Incident

Oct 2, 2023

While driving down the freeway, the steering starting chattering. After a few miles, the steering became erratic and would not stay centered. I exited the freeway, and halfway through the offramp turn, the power steering completely failed. This cause the car to become very hard to steer.

NHTSA ID

11515868

Incident

Apr 6, 2023

WHEN MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, BUT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT LAG TO GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WITH THE WHEELS BEING POWERED BY THE ELECTRIC ENGINE, THE RESPONSE HAD ALWAYS BEEN INSTANT, UNTIL TODAY. AFTER ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION, I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DASH READ "SHIFT TO PARK," EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS IN PARK.I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, AND THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR TO DRIVE, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT PROPEL THE CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I AGAIN SHIFTED TO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR BACK UP, AND THE FUEL ENGINE TURNED ON THIS TIME, BUT I RECEIVED A MESSAGE SAYING THE CAR WAS NOT CHARGING. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, AS IT USUALLY DOES AFTER THE BATTERIES ARE SUFFICIENTLY CHARGED. I DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES ON SURFACE STREETS AND THE FUEL ENGINE REMAINED ON THE ENTIRE TIME. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF LAG IN RESPONSE TIME BETWEEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND THE BATTERIES CHARGING UP ENOUGH TO PROPEL THE CAR, CAUSING AN UNSAFE RESPONSE TIME IN MERELY GETTING THE VEHICLE GOING AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT AND TURNING ONTO A NEW STREET.

NHTSA ID

11329981

Incident

Jun 21, 2020

Mileage

40,493 mi

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. MESSAGE SAYING "SERVICE POWER STEERING" CAME UP, CAD ONLY HAS 28K MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. DEALER SAYS I MUST REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY. MULTIPLE PEOPLE ONLINE HAVING MY SAME PROBLEM, ALL UNDER 30K MILES.

NHTSA ID

11301161

Incident

Dec 25, 2019

Mileage

28,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LATCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HELD THE STEERING UP IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING COLUMN TO STAY IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE STEERING COLUMN AND CONFIRMED THAT THE LATCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (TITUS-WILL CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC 2425 CARRIAGE LOOP SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502 (888) 528-3416) AND WAS INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 61,368.

NHTSA ID

11299376

Incident

May 16, 2017

Mileage

61,368 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PEARL MOTOR COMPANY (3100 S CLARK ST, MEXICO, MO 65265, (573) 567-4254) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE KEY FOBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE KEY FOBS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED RELAY WAS FINALLY REPLACED AND PROBLEM SOLVED.*JB

NHTSA ID

11288352

Incident

May 31, 2019

Mileage

37,000 mi

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED - ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK AND IT WOULD HAVE IT IT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC OR PARKING GARAGE OR ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE MANEUVER. THE CAR IS 3 YRS AND 3 MONTHS OLD WITH APPROX 28,000 EASY MILES- THE FIRST 2017 IN SPOKANE DELIVERED IN 2016 (YES, A 2017 BUILT IN EARLY 2016). THE LT VERSION. HAPPENED AFTER TYPICAL CITY DRIVE ON ALL ELECTRIC IN MODEST TEMPERATURES AND CLEAR WEATHER AND RUNNING ON ELECTRIC. MY WIFE WAS TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING LOCKED BUT I BELIEVE IT JUST TURNED VERY HARD AT LOW SPEED WITH NO POWER ASSIST. NO WARNING. AFTER THIS OCCURRED SHE POWERED DOWN AND POWERED BACK ON THE CAR AND THERE WAS A MESSAGE SAYING "POWER STEERING IS WORKING, DRIVE CAREFULLY" SO CAME IN AND TOLD ME BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WORKING. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, IT RECOVERED IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND WORKED LIKE NORMAL FOR A FEW DAYS NOW. SHE DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VOLT NOW. FTI ANOTHER SAME MODEL VOLT LT DELIVERED TO LOCAL DEALER IN THE SAME BATCH OF VOLTS, THE THIRD VOLT DELIVERED TO SAME LOCAL DEALER, HAD MANY MANY MORE ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING. I LOVE MY VOLT, AN OTHERWISE GREAT SAFE AND WELL HANDLING CAR.

NHTSA ID

11220807

Incident

Jun 13, 2019

Mileage

28,000 mi

THE TROUBLE BEGAN ON MARCH 16TH, I CAME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT, READY TO TAKE A U TURN.DRIVING IN EV MODE. ALL LIGHTS IN THE CONSOLE TURNED ON AND I GOT THREE ERRORS "INFORMATION : PROPULSION POWER IS REDUCED" "SERVICE : STABILITRAK" "SERVICE : POWER STEERING. DRIVE WITH CARE" THE POWER STEERING GAVE UP.RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER 5MINS, EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. ON MARCH 24TH, ON A HIGHWAY , IN HOLD MODE. AFTER A FEW MILES IN, I GOT AN ERROR "ACTION REQUIRED: ENGINE OVERHEATING REDUCE SPEED" TOOK THE NEXT EXIT OUT AND SAW THAT THE COOLANT TANK IS EMPTY. TURNED ON EV MODE , DROVE BACK HOME. ON MARCH 25TH MORNING, TOOK THE CAR IN TO SERVICE CENTER (DRIVE-IN). THEY IDENTIFIED A VALVE LEAKING IN THE COOLANT LOOP. REPLACED THE PART. MULTI-POINT INSPECTION DONE. 2 PENDING RECALLS DONE. GOT THE CAR BACK ON 26TH. ON MARCH 28TH, AT A LIGHT, ABOUT TAKE A LEFT TURN, DRIVING IN EV MODE. AGAIN, ALL LIGHTS IN THE CONSOLE TURNED ON AND I GOT THE SAME 3 ERRORS.I TOOK IT HOME. ON MARCH 29TH MORNING, TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE SERVICE CENTER AGAIN. THEY FOUND ANOTHER LEAK IN THE COOLANT, A HOSE THIS TIME AND REPLACED IT. THEY FOUND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AXLE IS SPILLING GEESE AND REPLACED IT. GOT THE CAR BACK ON APRIL 3RD. ON APRIL 4TH EVENING, THE CAR GAVE ME A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AGAIN. GOT AN APPOINTMENT FOR 5TH MORNING, THE LIGHT WAS OFF ON THE MORNING. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE ADVISER AND HE MENTIONED THAT WE CAN READ THE CODES BUT WONT BE OF MUCH HELP IF THE LIGHTS ARE OFF AND BRING IT BACK IN IF THE LIGHTS ON AGAIN. ON APRIL 5TH AFTERNOON, JUST GOT ON THE HIGHWAY, TURNED ON HOLD MODE. AGAIN, ALL LIGHTS IN THE CONSOLE TURNED ON AND I GOT SAME THREE ERRORS. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. WITH ALL THE LIGHTS ON. I GOT IT BACK ON TUSDAY 9TH. ON APRIL 12TH EVENING, IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE FREEWAY, I ALMOST CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR. I GAVE THE CAR IN AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11196493

Incident

Apr 5, 2019

Mileage

25,000 mi

VEHICLE'S LANE DEPARTURE FUNCTION AND CALIBRATION WAS REPROGRAMMED AFTER A RECALL SERVICE AND NOT FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK. FUNCTION WAS NOT ONLY A PREMIUM CHARGE OPTION, BUT ORIGINALLY WOULD MONITOR THE LANE LINES AND ADJUST THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM TO KEEP THE VEHICLE WELL WITHIN THE ROAD LANES' PAINTED LINES. NOW, THE VEHICLE WILL (MORE TIMES THAN NOT) COMPLETELY CROSS THE TIRES WELL OVER THE PAINTED LINE, TRAVELING SEVERAL TENS OF YARDS BEFORE ONLY SLIGHTLY CORRECTING ITS DIRECTION BACK TOWARDS THE LANE. IN A BEST CASE SCENARIO, VEHICLE SYSTEM WILL BEGIN CORRECTING ITSELF APPROXIMATELY JUST AS THE FRONT TIRE MAKES CONTACT WITH THE LANE BOUNDARY LINES. THIS HAS BEEN OBSERVED IN LANES OF VARYING WIDTH AND CONFIRMED BY THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP. FURTHER, SYSTEM IS INCONSISTENT IN ITS DETERMINATION AND "CORRECTION" LANE BOUNDARIES, SOMETIMES CROSSING THE LEFT LANE LINE ENTIRELY THEN BARELY TOUCHING THE RIDE SIDE LANE, OR VICE VERSA. SYSTEM HAS ALSO BEEN APPARENTLY LESS SENSITIVE IN READING THE LINES AS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATOR WILL NOT LIGHT UP INDICATING THAT IT RECOGNIZES LANES, EVEN THOUGH LANES ARE CLEARLY AND BRIGHTLY PAINTED AND ILLUMINATED BY EITHER HEADLIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS OR SUNLIGHT. AS THIS VEHICLE IS A COMPLETE DRIVE-BY-WIRE SYSTEM (BRAKES, STEERING, AND THROTTLE HAVE NO MECHANICAL CONNECTION TO DRIVER'S INPUTS), I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS WITH REGARDS TO THE SENSORS CAPABILITIES IN ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE AND FEEL THAT IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THE SYSTEM WILL FAIL TO OPERATE AS PROMOTED AND PROMISED BY THE MANUFACTURE. THIS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE IF THIS PERFORMANCE WAS SIMILAR OR CONSISTENT TO PERFORMANCE FROM INITIAL OPERATION, HOWEVER, THE OEM HAS EFFECTIVELY AND DRAMATICALLY CHANGING THE VEHICLE'S DRIVING DYNAMIC AND SAFETY FUNCTION THAT I (AND ANY REASONABLE DRIVER) HAVE BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH AS A DRIVER, WITHOUT MY CONSENT.

NHTSA ID

11058332

Incident

Dec 1, 2017

Mileage

13,500 mi

THE CAR LITERALLY JUST STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS TURNING ON A BUSY ROAD, SO I WAS STUCK RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH CARS NEARLY SMASHING INTO THE BACK OF ME. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE ACCELERATOR STOPPED WORKING. I COULDN'T TURN IT OFF OR ON- IT WAS KIND ON JUST STUCK IN AN ALTERNATE MODE. THERE WAS AN ORANGE ENGINE SYMBOL THAT WAS LIT UP AND IT KEPT SAYING "SHIFT TO PARK" BUT I WOULD SHIFT AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. I COULDN'T PUT IT IN NEUTRAL SO I COULD PUSH IT TO A SAFER LOCATION. NOTHING. THE TECHNICIAN ON THE PHONE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT, BUT SOMEONE WHO STOPPED TO HELP SAID HE USED TO WORK ON THESE CARS AND SAID IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN AND IT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO FIX IT (I THOUGHT I REMEMBER HIM SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT AN ENGINE SWITCH PROBLEM, BUT I WAS SO FRAZZLED I WASN'T REALLY LISTENING TO HIM) . IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE CARS HAVE NO BEEN RECALLED.

NHTSA ID

11002733

Incident

Jul 2, 2017

Mileage

4,300 mi

ON MAY 8TH, 2017, CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING, WHIRRING SOUND AND BECAME UNDRIVEABLE. CAR WAS IN SLOW MOTION ON A COUNTRY ROAD, HAVING JUST SLOWED DOWN FOR A LIGHT THEN TURNED INTO PARKING LOT WHEN NOISE BEAN.

NHTSA ID

10991680

Incident

May 8, 2017

Mileage

8,900 mi

THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A MILD CURVE ON A WET OREGON STATE HIGHWAY. IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS SURELY COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY OR DEATH HAD THERE BEEN A SHARP CURVE OR PEDESTRIAN OR VEHICLE TO AVOID. I AM HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE HAS 2043 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

10957281

Incident

Feb 26, 2017

Mileage

2,043 mi