IllustrationWHEN SHIFTING TO PARK AND TURNING OFF THE CAR, THE CAR WON'T TURN OFF AND AN ERROR ON DASH DISPLAYS "SHIFT TO PARK". THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. CHEVROLET CLAIMS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND REQUIRES A COST TO FIX.
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 reportsTHE 2017 VOLT, WHEN PUT INTO PARK, DOES NOT DETECT IT'S IN PARK AND GIVES A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. I CANNOT LEAVE THE CAR. I AM STUCK ROLLING THE CAR FORWARD AND BACK MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY REGISTERS IT'S IN PARK AND TURNS OFF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTANTLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. I READ ONLINE T…
Read full complaint
THE 2017 VOLT, WHEN PUT INTO PARK, DOES NOT DETECT IT'S IN PARK AND GIVES A "SHIFT TO PARK" MESSAGE. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. I CANNOT LEAVE THE CAR. I AM STUCK ROLLING THE CAR FORWARD AND BACK MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL IT FINALLY REGISTERS IT'S IN PARK AND TURNS OFF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTANTLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. I READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND WIDESPREAD ISSUE IN THE 2017 VOLT THAT GM IS REFUSING TO ADDRESS. THEY ARE ALSO REFUSING TO COVER IT UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGHT SHIFTING IS PART OF THE PROPULSION SYSTEM. I HAVE MISSED MEETINGS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LEAVE MY CAR. I FEAR BEING STRANDED WITH A CAR THAT WON'T TURN OFF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING REGULARLY BUT UNPREDICTABLY FOR ALL OF SUMMER 2020.
CAR IS NOT TURNING OFF WHEN STOPPED. DISPLAYS "ACTION REQUIRED" SHIFT TO PARK. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN AROUND AND CHEVROLET HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM.
WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR (BY PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND PUSHING THE POWER BUTTON), I RECEIVE AN ERROR - 'SHIFT TO PARK'. AFTER I POWER OFF THE CAR, I GET AN ALERT ON MY DASHBOARD THAT SAYS "ACTION REQUIRED - SHIFT TO PARK".
SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE. WHEN I PLACE THE CARE IN PARK A WARNING COMES ON STATING 'ACTION REQUIRED' AND WON'T SHUT OFF. I HAVE TO SHIFT TO DRIVE AND BACK A FEW TIMES FOR IT TO GO OFF.
SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE APPEARS WHEN YOU SHIFT TO PARK AND YOU TURN OFF THE ENGINE. SO EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE IN PARK THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OFF. VERY FRUSTRATING!
MY 2017 CHEVY VOLT IS EXPERIENCING THE APPARENTLY INFAMOUS 'SHIFT TO PARK' ISSUE. NEARLY EVERY SINGLE TIME I PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PRESS THE POWER BUTTON TO POWER DOWN THE VEHICLE. A MESSAGE POPS UP ON THE DISPLAY THAT SAYS 'ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK.' I THEN HAVE TO DEPRESS THE TRIGGER MECHANI…
Read full complaint
MY 2017 CHEVY VOLT IS EXPERIENCING THE APPARENTLY INFAMOUS 'SHIFT TO PARK' ISSUE. NEARLY EVERY SINGLE TIME I PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PRESS THE POWER BUTTON TO POWER DOWN THE VEHICLE. A MESSAGE POPS UP ON THE DISPLAY THAT SAYS 'ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK.' I THEN HAVE TO DEPRESS THE TRIGGER MECHANISM ON THE GEAR SHIFT AND JIGGLE THE WHOLE SHIFTER BEFORE THE CAR REGISTERS IT IS IN PARK AND POWERS DOWN PROPERLY. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG MULTIPLE CHEVY CARS BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL. MY CAR IS JUST OUTSIDE OF THE 'BUMPER TO BUMPER' WARRANTY, SO IT WILL COST A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT MY FAULT. WHILE I AM NOT AWARE OF ANYONE HAVING ISSUES WITH SHIFTING TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN PARK, IT IS VERY CONCERNING THAT THIS MECHANISM IS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY. IF SOMEONE ELSE WERE TO DRIVE MY CAR AND NOT REALIZE THEY NEED TO JIGGLE THE SHIFTER, THEY MIGHT LEAVE MY CAR ON AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. EVERY SINGLE TIME I TAKE THIS TO GET AN OIL CHANGE OR OTHER MISC SERVICE, I HAVE TO SHOW THE TECHNICIAN HOW TO GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF. THIS ISSUE IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND WELL KNOWN. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OF THE SHIFT MECHANISM SO THAT ALL OF US CAN FEEL SAFE AND REASSURED WHILE DRIVING.
AFTER DRIVING AND WHEN STOPPED, WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THERE IS A NOTICE ON THE DASH THAT STATES, "ACTION REQUIRED" "SHIFT TO PARK", EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR INDICATOR SHOWS THE CAR IS INDEED IN PARK. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE CAR WON'T SHUT OFF AND SENDS OUT WARNING BEEPS FROM THE HORN. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE DRI…
Read full complaint
AFTER DRIVING AND WHEN STOPPED, WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THERE IS A NOTICE ON THE DASH THAT STATES, "ACTION REQUIRED" "SHIFT TO PARK", EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR INDICATOR SHOWS THE CAR IS INDEED IN PARK. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE CAR WON'T SHUT OFF AND SENDS OUT WARNING BEEPS FROM THE HORN. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW IF THE CAR IS IN PARK OR NOT, AND DOES NOT KNOW IF THE CAR IS SECURE FROM ROLLING.
MUST SHIFT TO PARK; CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF. ALREADY IN PARK, AND PUSHED VERY HARD TO MAKE ELECTRICAL CONTACT. SHIFT OUT AND BACK TO PARK SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE CONTACT AND ALLOW CAR TO SHUT OFF. AT FIRST, ONLY ONCE A WEEK, NOW ALMOST EVERY DAY.
SHIFT TO PARK PROBLEMS. ON OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO PARK WHEN THE SHIFTER IS IN PARK. I GET AN ERROR MESSAGE TO PARK. I HAVE TO EITHER START THE CAR, SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THEN BACK TO PARK, OR I SHAKE THE SHIFTER UNTIL IT ACKNOWLEDGES THE PARK.
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.