NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
219 reportsClear category filter48,000 miles · Apr 15, 2021
Power Train
I AM EXPERIENCING THE WIDELY DOCUMENTED "SHIFT TO PARK" ISSUE. [XXX] WHEN I AM PARKING THE CAR, I SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE CAR POWER. BUT OFTEN A RED WARNING LIGHT FLASHES IN THE CENTER CONSOLE INSTRUCTING ME TO "SHIFT TO PARK". AT THAT POINT, THE SHIFTER IS LOCKED AND NUDGING IT DOESN'T CLEAR THE ERROR. SO I HAVE TO RE…
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I AM EXPERIENCING THE WIDELY DOCUMENTED "SHIFT TO PARK" ISSUE. [XXX] WHEN I AM PARKING THE CAR, I SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE CAR POWER. BUT OFTEN A RED WARNING LIGHT FLASHES IN THE CENTER CONSOLE INSTRUCTING ME TO "SHIFT TO PARK". AT THAT POINT, THE SHIFTER IS LOCKED AND NUDGING IT DOESN'T CLEAR THE ERROR. SO I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR, SHIFT TO REVERSE(OR DRIVE), SHIFT BACK TO PARK AND THEN TURN OFF THE POWER AND HOPE THAT THE ERROR GOES AWAY. ACCORDING TO REGEN2 IN [XXX] , ITS A LUBRICATION ISSUE OF THE CENTRAL MAIN SHAFT ITS NOT DANGEROUS BUT ANNOYING AND PREVENTS ME FROM LEAVING THE CAR WHILE I TRY TO CLEAR THE ERROR. SINCERELY, [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11408227
32,000 miles · Apr 7, 2021
Power Train
SHIFT-TO-PARK ISSUE. AFTER SHIFTING TO PARK, AN ALERT SAYS "ACTION REQUIRED - SHIFT TO PARK." THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF AND THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK.
NHTSA ODI #11406858
29,965 miles · Mar 23, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
AFTER BEING PARKED FOR OVER 24 HOURS, WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE WE GOT A MESSAGE SHIFT TO PARK. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND WAS UNDRIVEABLE. WE TRIED TO CONTACT ONSTAR FROM THE VEHICLE BUT THD CONNECTION KEPT BREAKING UP. WE GOT THROUGH ON OUR CELL AND WERE FORWARDED TO GM. THEY ORDERED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCECE. WHILE WAI…
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AFTER BEING PARKED FOR OVER 24 HOURS, WHEN WE STARTED THE VEHICLE WE GOT A MESSAGE SHIFT TO PARK. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND WAS UNDRIVEABLE. WE TRIED TO CONTACT ONSTAR FROM THE VEHICLE BUT THD CONNECTION KEPT BREAKING UP. WE GOT THROUGH ON OUR CELL AND WERE FORWARDED TO GM. THEY ORDERED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCECE. WHILE WAITING, WE AGAIN STARTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A BEW MESSAGE INITIALIZING: WAIT TO SHIFT BUT THE CAR DID NOT GO INTO GEAR. WHEN ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ARRIVED, THEY ALSO TRIED WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. IN READING VARIOUS FORUMS, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A MAJOR REPAIR. I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FIR THIS ISSUE?
NHTSA ODI #11404401
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO PARK. NEARLY HAVE TO PUSH HARD TO HAVE THE PARK SETTING ENGAGE. UNABLE TO TURN ENGINE OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO, THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP SMOOTHLY. IT GOES UP AND DOWN ALL ON ITS OWN. IT APPEARS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. YOU MUST OPEN THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY BEFORE IT WILL CLOSE. CANNOT PREF…
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IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO PARK. NEARLY HAVE TO PUSH HARD TO HAVE THE PARK SETTING ENGAGE. UNABLE TO TURN ENGINE OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO, THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP SMOOTHLY. IT GOES UP AND DOWN ALL ON ITS OWN. IT APPEARS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. YOU MUST OPEN THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY BEFORE IT WILL CLOSE. CANNOT PREFORM THAT FUNCTION WHEN IT IS ONLY PARTIALLY OPENED.
NHTSA ODI #11403551
30,000 miles · Mar 16, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train
SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE. IT WILL NOT GO INTO PARK AND ALLOW CAR TO BE TURNED OFF. PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. CHEVY SAYS THIS VIN NUMBER IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DESPITE FACT IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11403207
28,000 miles · Mar 14, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
I AM HAVING A 'SHIFT TO PARK' ISSUE. WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND SHIFT TO PARK, I ATTEMPT TO POWER OFF THE CAR. THE VOLT WILL NOT POWER OFF AND I GET AN ALERT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT STATES "SHIFT CAR TO PARK TO TURN OFF". BUT THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. I AM UNABLE TO LOCK THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. …
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I AM HAVING A 'SHIFT TO PARK' ISSUE. WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND SHIFT TO PARK, I ATTEMPT TO POWER OFF THE CAR. THE VOLT WILL NOT POWER OFF AND I GET AN ALERT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT STATES "SHIFT CAR TO PARK TO TURN OFF". BUT THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. I AM UNABLE TO LOCK THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. WORSE YET, IT IS INTERMITTENT. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AT RE-STARTING AND STOPPING THE CAR IF USUALLY TURNS OFF. MY VOLT HAS ONLY 28K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11402887
30,000 miles · Mar 11, 2021
Power Train
WITH THE VEHICLE STATIONARY AND GEAR SHIFT SET TO PARK, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO POWER OFF THE VEHICLE, A 'SHIFT TO PARK' MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT POWER OFF. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF CHANGING THE GEAR SHIFT TO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK, THE VEHICLE POWERED OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11400355
29,000 miles · Mar 9, 2021
Power Train
WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK, AND DEPRESSING THE START BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR, I SEE A "ACTION NEEDED: SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE ON THE DASH. SOME TIMES I CAN SHIFT THE CAR BACK INTO GEAR AND SHIFT BACK, OR SOMETIMES IT JUST LETS ME TURN IT OFF. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE …
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WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK, AND DEPRESSING THE START BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR, I SEE A "ACTION NEEDED: SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE ON THE DASH. SOME TIMES I CAN SHIFT THE CAR BACK INTO GEAR AND SHIFT BACK, OR SOMETIMES IT JUST LETS ME TURN IT OFF. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY, WITH A FAULTY SENSOR BEING THE CULPRIT IN THE FULL ASSEMBLY. THIS AFFECTS BOTH CHEVY MALIBU'S AND CHEVY VOLTS IN THE SAME MODEL GENERATION.
NHTSA ODI #11399936
16,500 miles · Mar 8, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN MID-2020, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS INCLUDING AGAIN TODAY. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS ISSUE CURRENTLY.
NHTSA ODI #11399720
47,000 miles · Mar 2, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
THE CAR DOES NOT TURN OFF COMPLETELY AND SHOWS "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK MODE. IT IS A COMMON ISSUE BUT CHEVY DOES NOT RECALL AND CHARGES CONSUMERS FOR OUT-OF-WARRANTY VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #11398790
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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