NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
169 reportsMileage unknown · Jan 18, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance
my forward proximity sensors would randomly trigger. One day my ambient air temperature went haywire, checked for codes and had high voltage reading ambient air, brake booster trouble. after further investigation found that the X100(female) connector had water intrusion causing shorts across the pins showing voltage to drop acr…
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my forward proximity sensors would randomly trigger. One day my ambient air temperature went haywire, checked for codes and had high voltage reading ambient air, brake booster trouble. after further investigation found that the X100(female) connector had water intrusion causing shorts across the pins showing voltage to drop across other pins further sending false or incorrect signals to the computer. the connector was thoroughly cleaned and aired out. now wrapped intensively with a lot of electrical tape in hopes to prevent water from getting in and causing voltage that range from 5v-14v from shorting across terminals and causing false activation.
NHTSA ODI #11502312
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 20, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine
While on a road trip, we were traveling on a rural highway at roughly 55 mph. We received a warning message on the dashboard stating that "Propulsion power was reduced" and the engine began running rough, with surging noticeable based on throttle position. We also noted that engine temperature was rising above what was typical f…
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While on a road trip, we were traveling on a rural highway at roughly 55 mph. We received a warning message on the dashboard stating that "Propulsion power was reduced" and the engine began running rough, with surging noticeable based on throttle position. We also noted that engine temperature was rising above what was typical for the vehicle. The vehicle was able to maintain highway speed, and we were able to limp the vehicle to a safe location. Based on a web search, we were able to diagnose the issue (a failed EGR valve) as well as a way to limp the vehicle to a local dealership. They made a change that allowed us to limp home safely (unplug the EGR valve's electrical connector and replace the blown fuse under the hood). The vehicle was taken to a Chevy dealership when we made it home. The failure we had diagnosed was confirmed, and the component was replaced. The repair was not covered under warranty, and cost a significant sum to repair (1139.91). Additionally, this appears to be a very, very common failure for this make and model of vehicle- to the point where there is so much demand for this repair to be performed that these components (the EGR valve specifically) are difficult to obtain from Chevy. Additionally, the failure mode is such that when the EGR valve fails, it pulls excessive currents, and blows a fuse that also controls a number of important engine cooling components, leaving engine cooling significantly compromised. If we had been going faster, or if the weather was warmer, or if the load inside the vehicle was heavier, it would have been easy to overheat the gas engine and leave us stranded. I am concerned about the incidence rate of the failure, (based on online reports) the relative small number of miles on the vehicle when the failure occurred, (~57k) and the possible knock-on effect of the failure of the gas engine's ability to cool itself due to a relatively unrelated failure.
NHTSA ODI #11490223
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
160,800 miles · Sep 26, 2022
Electrical System
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the battery level indicator was fluctuating up and down and then the instrument panel went blank. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. A case was filed. The failure mileage…
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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the battery level indicator was fluctuating up and down and then the instrument panel went blank. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. A case was filed. The failure mileage was 160,800.
NHTSA ODI #11486527
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2022
Engine
Vehicle suddenly experienced "reduced propulsion mode" on the highway. Multiple codes were triggered in the ECM. Root cause of the problem was the EGR valve which is on a shared circuit with multiple other components including a water pump which causes the car to overheat.
NHTSA ODI #11483721
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 · Jun 20, 2022
Power Train
When attempting to power down the car, a message, “Action required, Shift to Park” appears and car will not power down. After repeated attempts, sometimes requiring 10 or more, by re-starting the car and attempting to power down, it has eventually powered down. This problem is intermittent and the car WILL power down successfu…
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When attempting to power down the car, a message, “Action required, Shift to Park” appears and car will not power down. After repeated attempts, sometimes requiring 10 or more, by re-starting the car and attempting to power down, it has eventually powered down. This problem is intermittent and the car WILL power down successfully repeated times, and then do it’s “shift to park” refusal to power down. There are hundreds of complaints on the GM Volt owners’ forum and even a Technical Service Bulletin No. 19-NA-206 dated February 2020 (maybe even more recent, but that’s the latest one I know of). The service bulletin also includes the Chevy Blazer, Malibu, Traverse and GMC Acadia (which, I understand, there is now a class action suit in that regard). If the car will not power down, it could drain the battery and leave the driver stranded, as well as making the car unable to be locked, which could also be a safety issue.
NHTSA ODI #11470132
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2022
Electrical SystemPower Train
Action Required Shift to Park message comes up on the dash after starting the vehicle & shifting into gear out of Park. The message goes away when shifted back into Park, but the vehicle doesn't respond when shifted into gear. Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Low - none will engage. I had to repeat the process of starting the vehicle 28…
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Action Required Shift to Park message comes up on the dash after starting the vehicle & shifting into gear out of Park. The message goes away when shifted back into Park, but the vehicle doesn't respond when shifted into gear. Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Low - none will engage. I had to repeat the process of starting the vehicle 28 times before it would operate as it should. Start Vehicle to View Application message comes up when in Park & trying to shut the vehicle off & will not power down until the driver door is opened. I worried that I'd be stranded if this continued to happen & took the vehicle to Brad Deery Motors in Maquoketa, IA for repair on 4/14/22. I paid $736.71 & the invoice states: 106128 shift to park, diag, intermittent open in the shift park solenoid, replaced shift park solenoid and jumper harness, tested working properly. I brought the vehicle home & had the same messages appear on 4/19/22. I have since read a forum on the Volt & understand that this has been a common issue & found a service bulletin: 19-NA-206, but wondering if there is an actual recall. I plan to contact GM regarding this issue.
NHTSA ODI #11461962
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.