IllustrationGETTING THE "ACTION NEEDED SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING INTERMITTENTLY WHEN PARKED AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF CAR TO EXIT. UNABLE TO SHUT DOWN VEHICLE WHEN OCCURS.
2016 Chevrolet Volt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 169.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Volt years →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
110–25K
2625–50K
1050–75K
775–100K
3100–150K
3150K+
60 reports with mileage · 109 unknown
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 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
77 reportsTHE VEHICLE ISSUES A MESSAGE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK (SHIFT TO PARK) MESSAGE EVEN WHEN IT IS ALREADY IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE NOR WILL IT ENABLE THE DRIVER TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WHICH RESULTS IN UNSAFE DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES AND STRANDS THE DRIVE IN UNTENABLE SITUATIONS. THIS IS KNOWN IN SOCIAL MEDIA AS T…
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THE VEHICLE ISSUES A MESSAGE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK (SHIFT TO PARK) MESSAGE EVEN WHEN IT IS ALREADY IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE NOR WILL IT ENABLE THE DRIVER TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WHICH RESULTS IN UNSAFE DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES AND STRANDS THE DRIVE IN UNTENABLE SITUATIONS. THIS IS KNOWN IN SOCIAL MEDIA AS THE "SHIFT-TO-PARK" PROBLEM WITH VOLT AND OTHER GM VEHICLES WHILE GM IS HUSH-HUSH ABOUT THE ISSUE. THERE ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES AS THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DESIGN ISSUE GIVEN ALL OF THE PROBLEMS DRIVERS ARE HAVING. IT STARTS AS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND CONTINUES TO GET WORSE OVER TIME WITH OUT ANY WARNING.
WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO POWER DOWN THE CAR, THE DRIVER RECEIVES AN ERROR THAT THE CAR MUST BE SHIFTED TO PARK BEFORE TURNING OFF EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS IN PARK. AS A RESULT THE CAR MAY NOT BE TURNED OFF. REPEATED ATTEMPTS AND "PLAYING" WITH THE SHIFTER MAY OR MAY NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
MY ELECTRIC CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND I RECEIVED THE ERROR MESSAGE "ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK" ON THE DRIVER DISPLAY . I WOULD HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE GEAR SELECTOR MULTIPLE TIMES SOMETIMES IT WOULD TAKE 20 MINUTES JUST TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. VISITING OTHER FORUMS, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AS IT IS DANGEROUS TO BE STRANDED N…
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MY ELECTRIC CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND I RECEIVED THE ERROR MESSAGE "ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK" ON THE DRIVER DISPLAY . I WOULD HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE GEAR SELECTOR MULTIPLE TIMES SOMETIMES IT WOULD TAKE 20 MINUTES JUST TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. VISITING OTHER FORUMS, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AS IT IS DANGEROUS TO BE STRANDED NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN OFF YOUR CAR.
WHEN PUTTING SHIFTER TO PARK, THE ACTION REQUIRED MESSAGES IS SHOWN AS: 'SHIFT TO PARK' ISSUE. THE CAR WILL EFFECTIVELY NOT TURN OFF. YOU'LL BE UNABLE TO LOCK THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. WORSE YET, IT IS INTERMITTENT ALTHOUGH IT GENERALLY GETS WORSE OVER TIME.
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT #:11299056 FOR UN-COMMANDED ACCELERATION ON 1/13/2020. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WORKED WITH GM CORPORATE ENGINEERS AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER SEVERAL DAYS. THE RETURNED THE CAR AND BLAMED IT ON THE FLOOR MAT. THIS IS NOT LIKELY SINCE THE MAT IS A OEM HEAVY RUBBER MAT AND…
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THIS IS AN UPDATE TO MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT #:11299056 FOR UN-COMMANDED ACCELERATION ON 1/13/2020. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP WORKED WITH GM CORPORATE ENGINEERS AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER SEVERAL DAYS. THE RETURNED THE CAR AND BLAMED IT ON THE FLOOR MAT. THIS IS NOT LIKELY SINCE THE MAT IS A OEM HEAVY RUBBER MAT AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOES NOT REST ON THE FLOOR BOARD. SINCE THE CAR WAS RETURNED AND DRIVING FOR WEEKS, I NOTICED THE BATTERY RANGE WILL NOT CHARGE MORE THAN 49 MILES OF ELECTRICAL CHARGE WHEN IT OFTEN CHARGED UP INTO THE 50-60 MILE RANGE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. I'VE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR IN SLOWER HEAVY TRAFFIC LATELY AND THIS DRIVING STYLE OFTEN INCREASES ELECTRIC MILEAGE RANGE AFTER A FULL NIGHTS CHARGE. IT WILL NOT DO SO ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH THE ECONOMY MANAGEMENT SCREEN INDICATE MAXIMUM RANGE ECONOMY OF OVER 250 MPG. I'M A RETIRED GAS TURBINE MECHANIC AND I KNOW A PROBLEM WHEN I EXPERIENCE ONE. I SUSPECT THAT A BATTERY CELL MAY HAVE HAD AN UNCONTROLLED DISCHARGE AND IS NO LONGER ABLE TO ACCEPT A RECHARGE. I HAVE RELAYED THIS INFORMATION TO THE DEALER. NO RESPONSE YET.
THE CAR SHOWS A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT SAYS SHIFT TO PARK EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS ALREADY IN PARK. THIS FAILURE TO DETECT WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS MOVED TO PARK PREVENTS THE CAR FROM SHUTTING OFF AND LOCKING. SOMETIMES CONTINUOUSLY WIGGLING THE GEAR SHIFT AND REPEATEDLY SHIFTING TO OTHER GEAR PO…
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THE CAR SHOWS A MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT SAYS SHIFT TO PARK EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS ALREADY IN PARK. THIS FAILURE TO DETECT WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS MOVED TO PARK PREVENTS THE CAR FROM SHUTTING OFF AND LOCKING. SOMETIMES CONTINUOUSLY WIGGLING THE GEAR SHIFT AND REPEATEDLY SHIFTING TO OTHER GEAR POSITIONS AND BACK TO PARK CAN SOMETIMES GET THE VEHICLE TO RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK. THIS SITUATION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT A PATTERN. VERY FRUSTRATING. AND DANGEROUS.
THIS VEHICLE HAS A SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE THAT BEEN SEEN ON MANY GM VEHICLES. SOME OF THE OWNER SITES I HAVE BEEN TO SAY THAT THIS IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY WITH GM. THE DEALER DID COVER 1 REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM BUT NOW SAYS I HAVE TO PAY. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND PERSISTS. A SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE IS…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS A SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE THAT BEEN SEEN ON MANY GM VEHICLES. SOME OF THE OWNER SITES I HAVE BEEN TO SAY THAT THIS IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY WITH GM. THE DEALER DID COVER 1 REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM BUT NOW SAYS I HAVE TO PAY. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND PERSISTS. A SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH AFTER THE CAR IS IN PARK AND WILL NOT SHUTDOWN. I HAVE ATTACHED ALL THE DOCUMENTATION THAT I HAVE.
WARNING ABOUT AIRBAG SYSTEM NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND TOLD TO BRING CAR TO DEALER WITHIN 1 DAY. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET WITH MY SON IN FRONT. I DON'T KNOW EXACT PARTS BUT I BROUGHT IT TO CHEVY AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR FIX (SO THE CAR IS STILL THERE WHILE I APPEAL). IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE SYSTEM IN THE SEAT AND PO…
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WARNING ABOUT AIRBAG SYSTEM NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND TOLD TO BRING CAR TO DEALER WITHIN 1 DAY. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET WITH MY SON IN FRONT. I DON'T KNOW EXACT PARTS BUT I BROUGHT IT TO CHEVY AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR FIX (SO THE CAR IS STILL THERE WHILE I APPEAL). IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE SYSTEM IN THE SEAT AND POSSIBLY DASH THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAG.
SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN CAR IS IN PARK. CONTINUES TO RUN AND WILL NOT TURN OFF WHEN IN PARK. ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED IS "SHIFT TO PARK" EVEN WHEN IN PARK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE CAR WILL NOT DISENGAGE OR TURN OFF. THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY.
Official recalls
117V621000 · Air Bags:frontal
Oct 5, 2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.
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
2PE23022 · 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.