IllustrationPOWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. MESSAGE SAYING "SERVICE POWER STEERING" CAME UP, CAD ONLY HAS 28K MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. DEALER SAYS I MUST REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY. MULTIPLE PEOPLE ONLINE HAVING MY SAME PROBLEM, ALL UNDER 30K MILES.
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
What owners actually said
697 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LATCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HELD THE STEERING UP IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING COLUMN TO STAY IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE STEERING COLUMN AND CONFIRMED THAT THE LATCH FAILED AND NEED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LATCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HELD THE STEERING UP IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING COLUMN TO STAY IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE STEERING COLUMN AND CONFIRMED THAT THE LATCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (TITUS-WILL CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC 2425 CARRIAGE LOOP SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502 (888) 528-3416) AND WAS INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 61,368.
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT TO PARK. WILL NOT ALLOW CAR TO SHUT OFF AS IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE CAR IN PARK.
GETTING ALERT 'SHIFT TO PARK', THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF, HAVE TO JIGGLE THE SHIFTER TO GET IT TO RECOGNIZE ITS IN PARK
THE BATTERY CONTROL MODULE FAILED IN MY VOLT ON 12/22/2019. MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AS SUCH ON 12/23/19 AND I WAS SENT HOME WITH IT TO WAIT AS GM PARTS ARE ALLEGEDLY SEVERELY DELAYED DUE TO THE UNION STRIKES THAT OCCURRED MONTHS AGO. I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE ON MY WAY HOME, AND DRIVING AT 40MPH IN …
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THE BATTERY CONTROL MODULE FAILED IN MY VOLT ON 12/22/2019. MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AS SUCH ON 12/23/19 AND I WAS SENT HOME WITH IT TO WAIT AS GM PARTS ARE ALLEGEDLY SEVERELY DELAYED DUE TO THE UNION STRIKES THAT OCCURRED MONTHS AGO. I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE ON MY WAY HOME, AND DRIVING AT 40MPH IN THE LEFT LANE OF A FOUR LANE SURFACE ROAD, I LOST ALL PROPULSION POWER AND RECEIVED A MESSAGE READING 'ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK' ON THE DIC ACCOMPANIED BY A WARNING CHIME. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO NOT BE REAR ENDED AS THE CAR DECELERATED VERY QUICKLY WITHOUT MUCH WARNING. THE CAR WAS CLEARLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TOW TRUCK DID NOT RETRIEVE THE CAR UNTIL 12/30/19 AS THE DEALER FAILED TO RETURN MY CALLS ABOUT THIS FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL THEY RETRIEVED IT. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED AS OF 1/7/2020.
RECEIVED A WARNING BY AUTOMATED E-MAIL FROM MY CAR THAT CHARGING WAS INTERRUPTED ON MY HYBRID ELECTRIC CAR WHILE CHARGING IN MY GARAGE. NORMAL WEATHER, ATTACHED GARAGE, 220V LEVEL 2 CHARGER. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT I MIGHT HAVE FORGOTTEN TO CHARGE IT AND DROVE TO WORK. NORMALLY, DYNAMIC BRAKING DOES NOT DO WELL UNTIL A FEW MI…
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RECEIVED A WARNING BY AUTOMATED E-MAIL FROM MY CAR THAT CHARGING WAS INTERRUPTED ON MY HYBRID ELECTRIC CAR WHILE CHARGING IN MY GARAGE. NORMAL WEATHER, ATTACHED GARAGE, 220V LEVEL 2 CHARGER. I THOUGHT AT FIRST THAT I MIGHT HAVE FORGOTTEN TO CHARGE IT AND DROVE TO WORK. NORMALLY, DYNAMIC BRAKING DOES NOT DO WELL UNTIL A FEW MILES FROM HOME. HOWEVER, WHEN I REACHED THE POINT THAT I SWITCH TO MORE ECOLOGICAL DYNAMIC BRAKING, IT WAS UNABLE TO DUMP THE CHARGE FROM BRAKING TO THE BATTERY. I CONTINUED DRIVING ON GAS AND DISPLAYS WERE UNSTABLE. LOSING DYNAMIC BRAKING IN AN ELECTRICAL VEHICLE IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE (FORMER AUTOMOTIVE RESIDENT ENGINEER AND FAILURE INVESTIGATOR). I DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE. I READ ONLINE THAT IT CANNOT RECHARGE ITS 12V BATTERY SYSTEM IN THIS CONDITION AS WELL AS ITS MOTIVE BATTERY. I HAD TO JUMP THE CAR TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAD MY CAR FOR 10 DAYS AND REPLACED THE BATTERY ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE (BECM) AND RECHARGED THE CAR AND SENT ME HOME. IT WAS OK FOR A FEW DAYS. I GOT THE SAME ERROR AGAIN ON SUNDAY 1/05AS AN E-MAIL FROM MY CAR WARNING THAT ITS CHARGING HAD DISCONTINUED INDICATING THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS OR HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN A WEEK. I REQUEST THAT THE OMB INVESTIGATE FOR RECALL AND REPLACEMENT WITH BECM UPGRADED TO ALLOW CHARGING OF THE 12V BATTERY SYSTEM AS WELL AS INVESTIGATE FAILURE MODES FOR BECM AND REQUIRING THAT THEY BE ADDRESSED. FAILURE MODES, STATIONARY- 12V AND HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY FAIL TO CHARGE WHEN PLUGGED IN. DRIVING - 12V DOES NOT REGENERATE DURING DRIVING AND HIGH VOLTAGE SYSTEM IS OFFLINE DISABLING SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS DYNAMIC BREAKING CAUSING A BREAKING REACTION CHANGE THAT MAY DELAY DRIVER REACTION LEADING TO VEHICLE ENTERING INTERSECTION INTO A CRASH. I ALSO REQUEST THAT OMB INVESTIGATE THE EARLY FAILURE OF THE 12V BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEM.
AFTER YOU POWER OFF MY CAR, I'LL GET AN ALERT ON MY DASHBOARD THAT SAYS, " ACTION REQUIRED SHIFT TO PARK" THE CAR WILL EFFECTIVELY NOT TURN OFF. I'LL BE UNABLE TO LOCK THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS WILL STAY ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. WORSE YET, IT IS INTERMITTENT.
BECM FAILURE AT 32,000 MILES. CAR WOULD NOT CHARGE AND WOULD REPORT EV RANGE AS 0 WHEN IT IN FACT DID HAVE RANGE. THE CAR ALSO WOULD NOT MOVE/START RELIABLY LEAVING THE CHANGE OF BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY COMPUTER. THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE SOFTWARE ON THE BECM BUT IT ENDED UP BEING A FAILED BECM. IT SEEMS…
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BECM FAILURE AT 32,000 MILES. CAR WOULD NOT CHARGE AND WOULD REPORT EV RANGE AS 0 WHEN IT IN FACT DID HAVE RANGE. THE CAR ALSO WOULD NOT MOVE/START RELIABLY LEAVING THE CHANGE OF BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY COMPUTER. THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE SOFTWARE ON THE BECM BUT IT ENDED UP BEING A FAILED BECM. IT SEEMS VERY COMMON FOR THIS TO FAIL FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE. THE DEALER FIXED THE ISSUE UNDER THE VOLTEC WARRANTY AND I HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE IN 4+ MONTHS. THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY A BAD BATCH OR ENGINEERING DEFECT ON THE STOCK BECM.
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ENGAGE 25% OF THE TIME AND WILL DISENGAGE WITHOUT NOTICE. "ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WILL APPEAR IN DIC. HOWEVER, THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU NEVER KNOW IF THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY SLOW DOWN. I HAVE FILED CASE # 9-5379585813 WITH CHEVROLE…
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WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ENGAGE 25% OF THE TIME AND WILL DISENGAGE WITHOUT NOTICE. "ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WILL APPEAR IN DIC. HOWEVER, THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU NEVER KNOW IF THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY SLOW DOWN. I HAVE FILED CASE # 9-5379585813 WITH CHEVROLET AND BEEN TO FOUR DEALERS AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY NO LONGER RETURN MY CALLS. I AM AFRAID TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS ENGINE TURNED ON WHILE THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BATTERY RANGE LEFT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE DOWNHILL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS ENGINE TURNED ON WHILE THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BATTERY RANGE LEFT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE DOWNHILL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO DRIVE; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFTER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. INSTEAD, THE GEAR SHIFTER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ALLEN GWYNN CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 1400 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91205, 818-528-8597) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND OPENED A CASE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,066.
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.