IllustrationSHIFT TO PARK ISSUE IS PRESENT AND GETTING WORSE. UNABLE TO TURN OFF CAR WHEN IT OCCURS. AS THIS IS COMMON TO THIS MODEL IT SHOULD BE TREATED AS A DIRECT AND GM SHOULD REPAIR AS PART OF A RECALL.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Volt years →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
720–25K
10725–50K
3850–75K
2175–100K
11100–150K
1150K+
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
Power Train complaints
219 reportsSHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS IN PARK, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL AND INSTALLED AN UPDATED HARNESS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. BASED ON GOOGLE SEARCHES, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE CHEVY VOLT.
FREQUENTLY WHEN TRYING TO PARK AND TURN OFF THE CAR, I WILL RECEIVE A "SHIFT TO PARK" ALERT ON THE DASH. THE CAR IS ALREADY IN "PARK" AND I AM TRYING TO TURN OFF THE CAR. I'VE HAD DIFFICULTY MAKING ADJUSTMENTS (E.G. HITTING THE BRAKE, TRYING TO ADJUST THE SHIFTING MECHANISM) TO GET THE CAR TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS ALREADY IN PARK…
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FREQUENTLY WHEN TRYING TO PARK AND TURN OFF THE CAR, I WILL RECEIVE A "SHIFT TO PARK" ALERT ON THE DASH. THE CAR IS ALREADY IN "PARK" AND I AM TRYING TO TURN OFF THE CAR. I'VE HAD DIFFICULTY MAKING ADJUSTMENTS (E.G. HITTING THE BRAKE, TRYING TO ADJUST THE SHIFTING MECHANISM) TO GET THE CAR TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS ALREADY IN PARK.
CAR IS GIVING A MESSAGE SAYING, "ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK, WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND TRYING TO TURN THE CAR OFF. SEARCHING FOR THIS ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVROLET VOLT AND OTHER CHEVROLET MODELS.
AS I WAS DRIVING I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE DRIVER INFO CENTER TO SHIFT IN PARK AND I LOST ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER CONTACTED ONSTAR TO GET VEHICLE TOWED TO NEARBY DEALER. WAS PUSHED BY TWO POLICE OFFICERS TO GET OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY. ONCE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THE TOW DRI…
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AS I WAS DRIVING I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE DRIVER INFO CENTER TO SHIFT IN PARK AND I LOST ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER CONTACTED ONSTAR TO GET VEHICLE TOWED TO NEARBY DEALER. WAS PUSHED BY TWO POLICE OFFICERS TO GET OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY. ONCE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THE TOW DRIVER SAID I HAVE DRIVE AND REVERSE CAPABILITY AGAIN WHICH I DIDN'T HAVE WHILE PUT ON TOWER. AS I WAS STOPPED ON SIDE OF ROAD MY DRIVER INFO CENTER STATED PROPULSION POWER IS REDUCED SO I COULDN'T DRIVE OR REVERSE. CHECK ENGINE WAS ON THAT NIGHT AND THAT MORNING. AT THE DEALERSHIP, NO CODES COULD BE READ BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT AWAY.
SHIFT-TO-PARK ISSUE. WHILE IN PARK, CAR SHOWS ERROR "SHIFT-TO-PARK" AND ELECTRICAL PARTS OF THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. AFTER SHIFTING TO DRIVE/LOW AND THEN BACK TO PARK SEVERAL TIMES, IT SENSES THAT THE GEAR IS IN THE PARK LOCATION AND ALLOWS THE CAR TO BE SHUT OFF. HOWEVER, THIS HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. MOST RE…
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SHIFT-TO-PARK ISSUE. WHILE IN PARK, CAR SHOWS ERROR "SHIFT-TO-PARK" AND ELECTRICAL PARTS OF THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. AFTER SHIFTING TO DRIVE/LOW AND THEN BACK TO PARK SEVERAL TIMES, IT SENSES THAT THE GEAR IS IN THE PARK LOCATION AND ALLOWS THE CAR TO BE SHUT OFF. HOWEVER, THIS HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. MOST RECENT ISSUE TOOK OVER 15 MINUTES OF DOING THIS TO GET THE CAR TO REMOVE THE ERROR AND TURN OFF. ISSUE STARTED AROUND 31,000 MILES. CURRENT MILEAGE AS OF THIS WRITING IS 34,000.
AFTER I STOP THE CAR, PUT IT IN PARK, AND THEN PRESS "POWER" OFF, I GET AN ALERT ON THE DASHBOARD "ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK" AND THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT IS ALREADY IN PARK. THE GEAR SHIFT REQUIRES ADDITIONAL MANIPULATION (TO BE MOVED BACK AND FORTH) BEFORE THE CAR UNDERSTANDS THAT IS IN "PARK".
AFTER CAR IS SHIFTED TO PARK AND IGNITION SWITCH PUSHED TO TURN CAR OFF, DASHBOARD DISPLAYS MESSAGE 'ACTION REQUIRED SHIFT TO PARK' AND CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. REPEATED POWERING CAR ON AND OFF, JIGGLING AND MOVING SHIFTER ALL DO NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, AND CAR WILL NOT ALLOW SHUTOFF.
AFTER SHIFTING TO PARK TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE A SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN GARAGE AND PARKING LOTS.
ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK IS DISPLAYED EVERY TIME CAR IS TURNED OFF. MULTIPLE TIMES PRESSING AND RELEASING THE SHIFT LOCK BUTTON ON THE SHIFT LEVER WHILE ALSO SWITCHING GEAR POSITIONS DOES FIX THE PROBLEM FOR NOW. IT APPEARS TO GET WORSE WITH TIME.
Official recalls
0No 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
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.