2019 Chevrolet Volt Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2019 Chevrolet Volt, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1128.2%
- Powertrain (other)1025.6%
- Transmission615.4%
- Brakes37.7%
- Engine37.7%
- Fuel system25.1%
- Driver assistance25.1%
- Interior & seats12.6%
- Steering12.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the battery high-voltage disconnect relay. The vehicle was not repaired due to a lack of part availability. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the manufacturer confirmed that the part was on backorder. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Mileage: 38523 Engine Not Available Service Soon Propulsion Power Is Reduced Fuel Range Low: 3/4 Tank full of gas [XXX] - I was driving Northbound on [XXX] South of Castlewood in Northern California. I was driving 70 mph when I suddenly received the error messages above on my dashboard screen. The vehicle immediately had power from 70 mph quickly going below 59 mph. The traffic was extremely high and I had to quickly use my hazard flashes and carefully maneuver to the right shoulder of the frwy. The vehicle lost power so quickly I could have easily been rear ended or in a serious vehicle accident. The dealer test drove the vehicle and stated they received the errors at 95 mph. The dealership is recommending I have the entire transmission replaced with the assembly and the 45,000 mile maintenance. No other warning lamps, messages or symptoms or failures occurred. First occurrence [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted to park(P), the message to “Shift to Park” remained displayed. The contact was unable to turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that for approximately 10 minutes, the gear shifter was shifted out of and back into park to be able to turn off the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
When shifted into park, persistent error message that car was not in park. Unable to shut off the car despite numerous manipulations of shift. Few similar preceeding incidents were resolved by shift to drive then back to park. Goes to dealer tomorrow. Car running endlessly is dangerous. What if I could not stay with the car, or the car was on the local ferry. No one has inspected it yet. First time problem occured was in November 2024. Most recent more serious problem occured Friday. I am afraid to use the car since, and have not driven it since.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
Intermittent shift to park message when in park. Unable to turn off vehicle.
Shift car issues. The car would not shut off because it doesn’t recognize that the gear is in parking.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was in stop and go traffic; when the car in front of me stopped suddenly, I tried to brake. I was far enough back that I should have been able to stop in plenty of time. My brake pedal froze and would not depress (brake pump failure). There were no warning light prior. The car has less than 28,000 miles and relatively new tires.
Was approaching an intersection with a stoplight that was red. Another car stopped at light. Applied brakes, but car slowed down only slightly, no matter how hard the brake pedal was applied. It was like braking on black ice, even though the cars wheels were still going around. Rear ended the car at the light. Suspect that computer was telling the car to try to charge the battery using the forward motion of the car instead of stopping the car. All air bags deployed. Injuries were limited to bruises, abrasions, and general body soreness. Vehicle currently in possession of Allstate Ins. Have requested that brake system be inspected, and computer info be downloaded. Car was totaled. No injuries in other vehicle. No previous problems, no warning lamps or messages prior to accident. Car had been well maintained, including all recalls, and received routine maintenance (oil change, tire rotation) about three months before the incident. Problem has not been reproduced, nor is it likely to be since the vehicle is undrivable.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Mileage: 38523 Engine Not Available Service Soon Propulsion Power Is Reduced Fuel Range Low: 3/4 Tank full of gas [XXX] - I was driving Northbound on [XXX] South of Castlewood in Northern California. I was driving 70 mph when I suddenly received the error messages above on my dashboard screen. The vehicle immediately had power from 70 mph quickly going below 59 mph. The traffic was extremely high and I had to quickly use my hazard flashes and carefully maneuver to the right shoulder of the frwy. The vehicle lost power so quickly I could have easily been rear ended or in a serious vehicle accident. The dealer test drove the vehicle and stated they received the errors at 95 mph. The dealership is recommending I have the entire transmission replaced with the assembly and the 45,000 mile maintenance. No other warning lamps, messages or symptoms or failures occurred. First occurrence [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
'SHIFT TO PARK' ISSUE. AFTER POWERING OFF CAR I GET AN ALERT ON DASHBOARD THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS 'SEE IMAGE'. THIS HAPPENS EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS SET TO PARK. VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF UNTIL JIGGLING THE SHIFT HANDLE OR TURNING ON CAR AND RE SETTING SHIFT HANDLE TO PARK. RECURRING ISSUE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle lost propulsion and all power mid turn at approximately 45mph. Powe steering and assisted brakes were gone. Conditions were rainy, resulting in single car crash. Car did not restart. No codes present. Occurred again after repairs at 70mph on highway. Codes P0AC4 and P0C0E indicating Drive Motor Power Inverter B. Despite being under warranty, GM cannot repair, and has no replacement parts. GM has ignored messages requesting buyback per federal law.
BRAND NEW CAR SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING - STILL HAD ABOUT 10 EV MILES LEFT AND A FULL TANK OF GAS WHEN IT HAPPENED, TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT AROUND 45MPH. MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON DASH TELLING ME "PROPULSION POWER REDUCED TO 0" AND "SHIFT TO PARK", GIVING ME ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO PULL OVER BEFORE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. RESTARTED CAR SEVERAL TIMES, BUT "INITIALIZING WAIT TO SHIFT" AND "PROPULSION POWER REDUCED" MESSAGES DISPLAYED, AS WELL AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, EVEN TO NEUTRAL. LUCKILY I WAS ON A QUIET CITY STREET AT NIGHT AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY, AS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ON STAR SERVICE HAD ME TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHOSE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A FAULTY PART IN THE ELECTRIC ENGINE CHARGING MODULE. THEY WILL REPLACE THE PART. HOWEVER, SINCE HAVING THIS ISSUE I HAVE READ OF COUNTLESS OTHER SIMILAR SITUATIONS ON PREVIOUS VOLT MODELS, WITH SUDDEN STALLING AND "PROPULSION POWER REDUCED" MESSAGES. IT IS SO COMMON THERE IS A PINNED MESSAGE ABOUT IT ON THE VOLT INTERNET FORUMS, AND I HAVE READ SEVERAL PREVIOUS NHTSA COMPLAINTS. IT SEEMS ALL TOO COMMON AND I BELIEVE IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH DEPENDING ON WHERE/WHEN IT HAPPENS. IF IT WAS A KNOWN FAULT ON PREVIOUS VOLT MODELS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED IN THE 2019 VERSION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was getting on the I15 freeway. After I entered, I set the cruise control and it immediately began to accelerate the vehicle to maximum speed. I was unable to turn it off and had to repeatedly push the brakes to keep the speed below 70 + mph. Smoke from the brakes began to fill the passenger compartment. I got off the freeway and when I slowed to about 20 mph, I heard a clunk under the dash and the cruise control turned off. I drove home the rest of the way without cruise control without incident. I am taking the car to a Chevy dealer today to investigate the cause.
LEASING 2019 CHEVY VOLT FROM DGDG CHEVY: END OF SEPTEMBER -- MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE (BRAKES): END OF SEPTEMBER 2019, THE VEHICLE HAD LIMITED BRAKE POWER (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED). WHEN BRAKING, THE CAR MAKES VERY LOUD (SYSTEM NOISE) AND SKIDS WHILE BRAKING. AFTER NEARLY CRASHING THE CAR COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE HIGHWAY (DUE TO VERY POOR BRAKING), CAR WAS TURNED INTO CHEVY DGDG AND PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED. CAR WAS RETURNED BACK SECOND WEEK OF OCTOBER AND INITIAL ISSUES WENT AWAY. FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER 2019 -- MORE BRAKE PROBLEMS / RISK TO DRIVERS BRAKE ISSUE HAD RETURNED (LIMITED BRAKE POWER; SKIDS WHILE BRAKING, MAKES LOUD BEEPING NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON/TRACTION CONTROL OFF). I BOUGHT IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP, AFTER NEARLY REAR ENDING FEW CARS DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE BRAKE. ISSUE WAS CONFIRMED AND WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 70DAYS+. CAR WAS RETURNED AFTER REPLACING THE BRAKE SYSTEM. FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2020, SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AFTER LESS THAN WEEK OF RECEIVING MY CAR BACK (TOOK MORE THAN 70DAYS IN THE SHOP). SAME ISSUE, BRAKES ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE AGAIN, AS A RESULT OF IT. SHOP IS TAKING A LOOK AT IT AGAIN. I'M WRITING THIS REPORT IN HOPES OF GAINING ATTENTION OF THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHICH IS PUTTING MY LIFE, AND OTHERS AT RISK, WORKING WITH CHEVY. I HAVE THE FEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN OCCUR AGAIN, BASED ON PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS, AND NO REAL RESOLUTION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driver seat frame has a loud squeak during normal operation of vehicle. Driver seat is a critical safety item, and my concern is that the seat frame has a manufacturing defect.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving home one evening, the power steering suddenly failed. A warning message displayed to service the power steering. It became very difficult to steer the car. I had to pull extremely hard on the wheel to be able to make turns. For the turn into my community, I had to make four attempts to get the car to clear the turn through the entrance gate, needing to back up repeatedly and retry. Fortunately I did make it home safely and shut the car down. I made an emergency repair appointment for the next day at a Chevrolet dealership. In the morning the power steering was back. The car was inspected at the dealership. They told me a software update was needed and they charged me $450 to do that.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .