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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

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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

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

What owners actually said

169 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHEN VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO PARK POSITION AND ENGINE IN POWERED OFF, THE DASH READS OUT THAT VEHICLE MUST BE IN PARK POSITION. I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE SHIFTER OR DEPRESS THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES TO ENGAGE INTO PARK POSITION. IF THIS IS IGNORED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REGISTER IN PARK AND CANNOT SAFELY BE LEFT UNATTENDED. THIS OCCURRE…

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WHEN VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO PARK POSITION AND ENGINE IN POWERED OFF, THE DASH READS OUT THAT VEHICLE MUST BE IN PARK POSITION. I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE SHIFTER OR DEPRESS THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES TO ENGAGE INTO PARK POSITION. IF THIS IS IGNORED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REGISTER IN PARK AND CANNOT SAFELY BE LEFT UNATTENDED. THIS OCCURRENCE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A MONTH AT A DAILY RATE. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HONOR THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11142158

13,000 miles · Jul 23, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (F H DAILEY CHEVROLET, 900 MARINA BLVD, SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (F H DAILEY CHEVROLET, 900 MARINA BLVD, SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11113086

16,281 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Electrical System

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE CENTER DISPLAY CONSOLE GOES BLANK ON STARTING THE CAR AND IS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. THIS DISPLAYS VITAL INFORMATION SUCH AS LOCATION, CHARGE CAPACITY, CLIMATE CONTROLS, ETC. COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO RESET THIS. IT CORRECTS ITSELF AFTER THE CAR IS OFF FOR A BIT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS…

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INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE CENTER DISPLAY CONSOLE GOES BLANK ON STARTING THE CAR AND IS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. THIS DISPLAYS VITAL INFORMATION SUCH AS LOCATION, CHARGE CAPACITY, CLIMATE CONTROLS, ETC. COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO RESET THIS. IT CORRECTS ITSELF AFTER THE CAR IS OFF FOR A BIT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN TWO DAYS. THIS IS FOR CASE ID NUMBER 10872363.

NHTSA ODI #11089585

1,080 miles · Mar 6, 2017
Power Train

MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A LEFT TURN LANE AT AN INTERSECTION. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE CAR THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SEEMED TO NOT EVEN IDLE BECAUSE IT WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN T…

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MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A LEFT TURN LANE AT AN INTERSECTION. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE CAR THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SEEMED TO NOT EVEN IDLE BECAUSE IT WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED. AFTER A WHILE THERE WAS SOME WEIRD NOISES AND THE CAR DID SOME UNUSUAL SHAKING. I ALSO OBSERVED ON MY DASHBOARD THAT THE CAR WAS SWITCHING BETWEEN THE ELECTRIC BATTERY POWER AND THE GAS FUEL POWER. I WAS NOT CLICKING ANYTHING TO DO THIS IT WAS DOING IT WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS TOUCHING NOTHING ELSE. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND MANY TRIES THE GAS FINALLY ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT BUT THERE WERE STILL VARIOUS NOISE PROBLEMS AND SHAKING. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND A NEW ONE WAS SENT AND PUT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 1080 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #10958862

7,400 miles · Jan 8, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion System

IN REGARD TO RECALL 16055 REPROGRAM HYBRID POWERTRAIN CONTROL; MODULE 2. I HAD THIS RECALL DONE ON JANUARY 5, 2017. THIS SERVICE CHANGES SOME SETTINGS WITHOUT NOTIFICATION TO THE OWNER. CRITICALLY IMPORTANT IT CHANGES THE ENGINE RUN ON REMOTE START FROM OFF TO ON. IF THE OWNER STARTS THEIR CAR TO WARM UP IN THE GARAGE THE ENGINE…

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IN REGARD TO RECALL 16055 REPROGRAM HYBRID POWERTRAIN CONTROL; MODULE 2. I HAD THIS RECALL DONE ON JANUARY 5, 2017. THIS SERVICE CHANGES SOME SETTINGS WITHOUT NOTIFICATION TO THE OWNER. CRITICALLY IMPORTANT IT CHANGES THE ENGINE RUN ON REMOTE START FROM OFF TO ON. IF THE OWNER STARTS THEIR CAR TO WARM UP IN THE GARAGE THE ENGINE WILL RUN UNKNOWING TO THE OWNER. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE BUILDUP OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE GARAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10943712

14,000 miles · Oct 2, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

2016 CHEVY VOLT WOULDN'T START, LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, CURRENT ON MAINTENANCE. TOWED IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WERE SOME RECALLS - BUT COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG. GOT IT BACK AFTER 2 DAYS, WAS FINE - THEN ON 9/22/16 WOULDN'T START AGAIN - I WAS STRANDED IN THE DARK, GOT IT JUMP STARTED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SINCE IT…

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2016 CHEVY VOLT WOULDN'T START, LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, CURRENT ON MAINTENANCE. TOWED IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WERE SOME RECALLS - BUT COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG. GOT IT BACK AFTER 2 DAYS, WAS FINE - THEN ON 9/22/16 WOULDN'T START AGAIN - I WAS STRANDED IN THE DARK, GOT IT JUMP STARTED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SINCE IT WAS RUNNING FINE HE DIDN'T TAKE IT IN. TOLD ME NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS TO GET IT TOWED IN. WOULDN'T START AGAIN YESTERDAY, UNRELIABLE CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

NHTSA ODI #10911019

8 miles · Sep 15, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

THERE'S AN ODD SITUATION WHEN I'M IN THE ELECTRIC MODE AND AM PASSING OVER A BUMPY BIT OF ROAD: THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AUTOMATICALLY. THE PART THAT IS TROUBLING IS THAT THESE ARE TIMES WHEN THE DRIVER WOULD WANT TO SLOW DOWN. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES. I'VE BEEN LUCKY, SO FAR. BUT I HOPE THIS IS REMEDIED SOON.

NHTSA ODI #10906933

6,700 miles · Sep 8, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

THE ENTIRE CONTROL WINDOW WAS BLANK AND I COULDN'T GET IT TO COME BACK AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR. THE RADIO AND FUNCTIONS STILL WORKED, JUST COULDN'T SEE ANY OF THE FUNCTIONS TO OPERATE THEM. THIS WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AND DURING THE ENTIRE DRIVE ON CITY STREETS AND A HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI #10904798

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2016
Unknown Or Other

WHILE I WAS DRIVING EAST ON HWY 80 IN VACAVILLE, CA, AT APPROXIMATELY 1:15 PM, I WAS LITERALLY BLINDED BY SUN FROM THE CHROME REFLECTION ON THE DASH BOARD. BECAUSE OF THIS, I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRON OF ME AS I HAD DARK SPOTS IN MY VISION FROM THE REFLECTION.

NHTSA ODI #10825884

Official recalls

1

17V621000 · 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

2

PE23022 · 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.