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2017 Chevrolet Volt

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Volt years

Owner complaints for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt are substantially higher than the model-year median of 169.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

250 reports with mileage · 447 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 310 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 233 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 219 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports9 fire reports10 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

233 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

While we were driving on the freeway, we saw a check engine light and “propulsion power is reduced” message. The car began driving very roughly and we had to slow down. We had this happen once before where the car engine stopped working entirely while driving at city speeds after seeing this error earlier in the summer, so we pu…

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While we were driving on the freeway, we saw a check engine light and “propulsion power is reduced” message. The car began driving very roughly and we had to slow down. We had this happen once before where the car engine stopped working entirely while driving at city speeds after seeing this error earlier in the summer, so we pulled over as soon as we could. We were traveling in a remote area at the time, just before the holidays, and it was fairly cold out. The car dealer inspected the car and told us it was unsafe to drive, that we could not take it back until it was fixed, and that it was an EGR valve problem. We previously had this fixed under warranty as well for similar behavior, and the car is barely five years old with very few miles on it. It’s our only car and we have been waiting on the part for weeks now, with no response on when we’ll be able to have our car back, and no rental car that we can drive in the meantime to get to our jobs and get groceries. The part is covered under our warranty. Both times this has happened to us, we were actively driving. In the city, it was very unsafe for the engine to unexpectedly stop as we were driving because of the amount of traffic and pedestrians, and because it meant we didn’t have full control of the vehicle. On the freeway, it was very unsafe because of the speed we were going on the freeway. Knowing that our engine was at high risk of unexpectedly stopping working while driving on the freeway from the past experience in the city made it difficult to safely concentrate on pulling over and also maneuver in traffic.

NHTSA ODI #11567891

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

Vehicle lost power on highway and on local streets. “Propulsion power reduced” warning. Car brought to dealer 7/2023. EGR valve ordered at that time. The EGR valve has not been available since that time. No time frame for availability has been given.

NHTSA ODI #11567845

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

1 month ago was driving on toll and Population power is reduced came on, vehicle was reaving high and felt like power was being reduced/speed, was going 70 and had to immediately decrease speed and get off toll and found closest Chevy shop. Looked at dash and vehicle should have had at least 10 energy miles but it had immediate…

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1 month ago was driving on toll and Population power is reduced came on, vehicle was reaving high and felt like power was being reduced/speed, was going 70 and had to immediately decrease speed and get off toll and found closest Chevy shop. Looked at dash and vehicle should have had at least 10 energy miles but it had immediately dropped down to 0. Before taking to Chevy, I had a quick inspection done by a Valvoline shop and they told me the battery had to be replaced. Carvana (Silverrock) warranty refused to do the repair under their coverages as “batteries were not covered under warranty” Had it towed from Valvoline to Chevy. Found out Chevy battery was under warranty so it was taken there. Vehicle was checked in and didn’t have an eta as hybrid battery was on back order with no ETA. 3 weeks later the part was received and it was a control module not a battery as the “battery was not failing at the time”. Service called and said vehicle was ready for pick up. Had vehicle for 1 week and was at work starting it up and after 9 hours sitting started it up and low population came back on and vehicle started idling higher than before then after a minute looked at back of car and a large cloud of while smoke started forming from back of vehicle. Immediately turned off car and called gmc roadside assistance to have vehicle towed to another dealership where is it sitting again for diagnosis with no eta.

NHTSA ODI #11567156

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System

Propulsion power reduced message appears on dash board. Yes available for inspection. Unsafe to drive losing power on highway. Yes there are warning error messages appearing on dashboard.

NHTSA ODI #11567123

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Car won't start show codes U2622, U2621, U2620, U2619, P0AFA.

NHTSA ODI #11566530

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

While driving in 60 degree weather, the vehicle’s check engine light lit on the dash and the vehicle abruptly stopped. I was able to push the vehicle safely in heavy traffic. I contacted Onstar who gave me the vehicle diagnosis. Onstar advised the following codes appeared POACA (Hybrid/ electric vehicle powertrain control module…

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While driving in 60 degree weather, the vehicle’s check engine light lit on the dash and the vehicle abruptly stopped. I was able to push the vehicle safely in heavy traffic. I contacted Onstar who gave me the vehicle diagnosis. Onstar advised the following codes appeared POACA (Hybrid/ electric vehicle powertrain control module requested malfunction indicator lamp illumination), P1AEE ( the electric propulsion system is not performing as expected. Please service immediately), and P1AEF (the electric propulsion system is not performing as expected).

NHTSA ODI #11566183

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Car stopped operation while out doing errands. Car had to be parked and restarted and made it back home. Car would not start again. Had to have it towed to dealership, BECM needs replaced for $2000. Warranty should cover, but part is backordered. Not sure when it will be fixed and with the recent freezing temperatures could have…

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Car stopped operation while out doing errands. Car had to be parked and restarted and made it back home. Car would not start again. Had to have it towed to dealership, BECM needs replaced for $2000. Warranty should cover, but part is backordered. Not sure when it will be fixed and with the recent freezing temperatures could have been dangerous.

NHTSA ODI #11565952

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Vehicle stopped running, will not restart. ODB codes show failure of the BECM. Check engine light illuminated, READY indication turned off. Vehicle does not display battery or fuel status. We were left stranded by this failure.

NHTSA ODI #11565346

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

First, the electrical system did fail suddenly in August 2023. Luckily, I was parked and so was not injured. I did report the electrical failure to the Hendrick Chevrolet dealership in Durham. But this Chevrolet Volt also does not fill up with gas. At the pump, gas just spills out of the tank. I've seen online that many people …

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First, the electrical system did fail suddenly in August 2023. Luckily, I was parked and so was not injured. I did report the electrical failure to the Hendrick Chevrolet dealership in Durham. But this Chevrolet Volt also does not fill up with gas. At the pump, gas just spills out of the tank. I've seen online that many people have this same problem. At the suggestion of Hendrick Chevrolet dealership in Durham (and after paying $210 for a diagnostic), I replaced the vent valve solenoid. The car filled up with gas twice. But once again, gas starts spilling out of the tank if you try and fill it up. The car only has about 25,000 miles on it and hasn't been driven extensively so it doesn't make sense that it is malfunctioning.

NHTSA ODI #11564702

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

While driving the car in electric mode, a chime came on and flashed 'propulsion power is reduced', then it went into engine mode and the car decelerated quickly from posted 70mph speed to less than 40mph even though I pushed the accelerator pedal and reved the engine high. While in this low power driving mode, a warning came on…

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While driving the car in electric mode, a chime came on and flashed 'propulsion power is reduced', then it went into engine mode and the car decelerated quickly from posted 70mph speed to less than 40mph even though I pushed the accelerator pedal and reved the engine high. While in this low power driving mode, a warning came on saying the collision detection system was disabled. The concern is the person behind me had no warning since my brake lights did not come on. He sped around me with a bit of road rage. The problem temporarily goes away when you turn the ignition off and back on. I took it to the dealer and the said it needed a new EGR Cooler 4 hours labor $1500. Chevy Dealer pulled two codes P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation "A" Flow Insufficient Detected P1E00 Hybrid/EV Powertrain Control Module 2 I paid them the $165 diagnosis fee and got my car back and just plan to restart when it occurs. In another instance, I was pulling out from a parking lot into a busy road in electric mode and the car lost ALL power leaving me exposed in the line of traffic. Error messages on the dash said to 'service BECM' and 'shift to park'. The car was not drivable and had to be towed. Call me if you need any more information. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11564574

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.