NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
63 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 7, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
Component: Dealer said its the BECM. Lots of them failing, check any Chevy Volt forum. What happened: Driving on road, battery drive turns off and it switches to gas engine, "reduced propulsion" message pops up, then gas engine quits and 'shift to park' message pops up. No electric motor, no gas engine, coasting, then stuck in…
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Component: Dealer said its the BECM. Lots of them failing, check any Chevy Volt forum. What happened: Driving on road, battery drive turns off and it switches to gas engine, "reduced propulsion" message pops up, then gas engine quits and 'shift to park' message pops up. No electric motor, no gas engine, coasting, then stuck in road, traffic piling up behind me. After half-hour or so of blocking traffic and me trying to restart the car, electric eventually 'reset' and it worked fine again, so I drove it the several miles home, and the charging system connected fine. Next morning, charging system said it was broken, and car would not start. Towed to dealer. Safety risk: Both battery drive and gas engine turned fully off while traveling on road - no power, and steering/brakes hard to use. Luckily was in slow lane on local road near corner with traffic light, so others were 'prepared' to slow down, avoided my stopped car, and were able to get around. Prior Symptoms: Within the prior week, battery drive switched to gas engine with 'reduced propulsion' popup, but then it switched back to battery drive after stopping and restarting. Several times noticed the 'battery charge' indicator would change color and the estimated mileage remaining would bounce between 0 and 47.
NHTSA ODI #11515897
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2022
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
vehicle suddenly stopped while driving , engine light came on and on board charging system maintenance showed on dash display , I was able to restart it and take to the dealer for diagnosis they said that the BECM needs replacement at the cost of $2500.00 and that it is common on this vehicle ,this issue is a safety problem GM h…
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vehicle suddenly stopped while driving , engine light came on and on board charging system maintenance showed on dash display , I was able to restart it and take to the dealer for diagnosis they said that the BECM needs replacement at the cost of $2500.00 and that it is common on this vehicle ,this issue is a safety problem GM has issued a TBS for this defect recognizing it as an existing defect, this would cause a tragedy if it occurs while driving a on the highway ,since the car would loose power and could cause a catastrophic accident . the cost of the repair for a known defective part is unfair to the consumer and should be the manufacturer responsibility to bear the cost for safety .
NHTSA ODI #11494246
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion System
Got a Check Engine light on Aug 26 2022 driving about 5 minutes out of my house. With that light turned on, the EV showed zero miles range (it was fully charged when I left the house), the ICE engine kicked in but it was running very harsh and when I stepped on the gas peddle, it would not accelerate and can only go about 30 mp…
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Got a Check Engine light on Aug 26 2022 driving about 5 minutes out of my house. With that light turned on, the EV showed zero miles range (it was fully charged when I left the house), the ICE engine kicked in but it was running very harsh and when I stepped on the gas peddle, it would not accelerate and can only go about 30 mph. I immediately made a U-turn and returned home for the car is not drivable. Took the Volt to my dealership on Aug 29, 2022 and service manager diagnosed as a BECM failed and now waiting for a replacement, which they said they are not able to find one. This is going on week #7.
NHTSA ODI #11489126
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion System
Received a Reduce Power warning with a check engine light on. OnStar e-mail notification saying there is an issue with Lithium-ion battery and to service the vehicle within 7 days. When this happened I was driving on the street not far from my house and sure enough I was not able to keep up with the speed of the traffic so I tu…
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Received a Reduce Power warning with a check engine light on. OnStar e-mail notification saying there is an issue with Lithium-ion battery and to service the vehicle within 7 days. When this happened I was driving on the street not far from my house and sure enough I was not able to keep up with the speed of the traffic so I turned around and returned home. My battery was fully charged when I left home and when this happened, it showed my battery was depleted and switched to my gas engine but was not able to drive over 40 mph for the gas engine was making a weird sound as if it is not able to run smoothly.
NHTSA ODI #11482925
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
My car, without warning, lost power while driving and then flashed an engine light. This happened on a street and I was able to coast to safety, but if it had happened in an intersection I would not have been so lucky. The problem was confirmed by a dealer as a failure of the Battery Energy Control Module, which has been happeni…
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My car, without warning, lost power while driving and then flashed an engine light. This happened on a street and I was able to coast to safety, but if it had happened in an intersection I would not have been so lucky. The problem was confirmed by a dealer as a failure of the Battery Energy Control Module, which has been happening to this car with numerous other owners, according to the Volt owner website.
NHTSA ODI #11482135
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System
My Chevy Volt showed an error message and would not allow me to drive in Electric mode. I tried restarting the vehicle a number of times and the gas engine came on, however was exceptionally loud and I read a dash message that the vehicle was available for Low Propulsion power driving. This could be dangerous on any road parti…
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My Chevy Volt showed an error message and would not allow me to drive in Electric mode. I tried restarting the vehicle a number of times and the gas engine came on, however was exceptionally loud and I read a dash message that the vehicle was available for Low Propulsion power driving. This could be dangerous on any road particularly a highway with traffic. I had my vehicle towed to a Chevy dealer. The technician there diagnosed the vehicle to have a failed Battery Energy Control Module that needed replacement. I did receive a message when attempting to shift my vehicle to "Shift to Park." This rendered my vehicle undrivable requiring restarts. I researched this issue online and have seen this appears to be a widespread issue among Volt owners.
NHTSA ODI #11461402
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2022
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
I have a 2016 volt bought from NYC and I am the first owner currently residing in TX. My volt currently has mileage of 30,020 but this propulsion power will be reduce error has been shown since last 100 miles or so, my commune is usually under 5 miles a day so I rarely use gas however recently due to work I have to commune pre…
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I have a 2016 volt bought from NYC and I am the first owner currently residing in TX. My volt currently has mileage of 30,020 but this propulsion power will be reduce error has been shown since last 100 miles or so, my commune is usually under 5 miles a day so I rarely use gas however recently due to work I have to commune pretty far for a week and relied more on gas and this error popup during on of the commune. (It slowed my car down significantly while on highway and eventually stop with message on the console says engine offline) With the following error codes found: P0031 P0054 P0030 P0135 P0403 P0405 P0443 P0458 P0489 P0597 P0598 P06DA P06DB P0AC4 P0030 This car barely has much gas mileages as it was primarily on electric, but this failure on highway comes suddenly.
NHTSA ODI #11448862
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System
I’m experiencing the infamous “shift to park” error. After entering a parking spot, I come to a stop, shift the car from Drive into Park gear, and attempt to turn the car off but it will not turn off because it thinks the car is still in Drive gear mode, and it says “shift to park”. It happens intermittently and unpredictably…
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I’m experiencing the infamous “shift to park” error. After entering a parking spot, I come to a stop, shift the car from Drive into Park gear, and attempt to turn the car off but it will not turn off because it thinks the car is still in Drive gear mode, and it says “shift to park”. It happens intermittently and unpredictably from when I bought the car 2 years ago until now. Sometimes I have to shift back into drive and then to park several times in a row before it finally shows that it’s in Park gear.
NHTSA ODI #11421846
45,558 miles · Mar 22, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
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 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.
NHTSA ODI #11404387
30,742 miles · May 21, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
UNABLE TO TURN OFF CAR WHEN SHIFTER IS PHYSICALLY SHIFT TO PARK, BUT DASH WARNING HAS A "SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING. BACK IN DEC 26 I BOUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS REPLACED. BUT SHIFT TO PARK WARNING RETURNED A FEW MONTHS LATER. IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS ISSUE WILL RETURN . *TR
NHTSA ODI #11325474
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.
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