NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
697 reports18,881 miles · Oct 31, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY SURFACE STREET THE VEHICLE LOST ALL PROPULSION AND STALLED. STEERING LOCKED UP, WAS DISABLED, AND ELECTRIC POWER STOPPED. THE WARNING LIGHT READ "ACTION REQUIRED - SHIFT TO PARK'. THIS STALL IS IMMEDIATE AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING IN OR CAUSING AN ACCID…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY SURFACE STREET THE VEHICLE LOST ALL PROPULSION AND STALLED. STEERING LOCKED UP, WAS DISABLED, AND ELECTRIC POWER STOPPED. THE WARNING LIGHT READ "ACTION REQUIRED - SHIFT TO PARK'. THIS STALL IS IMMEDIATE AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS. I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING IN OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE ORANGE ENGINE SYMBOL WAS ILLUMINATED. ALL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN ON THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALERSHIP BUT WE WERE UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE OR SHIFT IT IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR START BUTTON WOULD NOT TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED RUNNING AND THE BATTERY DISABLED AT THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #11277419
37,948 miles · Oct 4, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System
THE SENSING DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FAILED AT ~38K MILES CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO STOP WORKING. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.
NHTSA ODI #11266038
33,774 miles · Oct 4, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
THE BATTERY ENERGY CONTROL MODULE FAILED AT ~34K MILES. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND PREVENTED THE CAR FROM USING THE BATTERIES FOR DRIVING. THE FAILURE MADE THE CAR UNUSABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11266037
36,000 miles · Sep 28, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
FAULTY FRONT PROXIMITY SENSOR OR CAMERA RESULTING IN FALSE POSITIVES OF OBJECT IN FRONT OF THE CAR. FALSE WARNING LIGHTS AND WARNING SOUNDS AS IF AN OBJECT IS IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN NO OBJECT IS IN SIGHT. USUALLY DURING THE RAIN BUT OCCASIONALLY NOT. OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING LESS THAN 6MPH. HAPPENS AROUND 75% O…
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FAULTY FRONT PROXIMITY SENSOR OR CAMERA RESULTING IN FALSE POSITIVES OF OBJECT IN FRONT OF THE CAR. FALSE WARNING LIGHTS AND WARNING SOUNDS AS IF AN OBJECT IS IN FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN NO OBJECT IS IN SIGHT. USUALLY DURING THE RAIN BUT OCCASIONALLY NOT. OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING LESS THAN 6MPH. HAPPENS AROUND 75% OF THE TIME DURING THE RAIN AND ABOUT 5% OF THE TIME DURING DRY WEATHER.
NHTSA ODI #11258703
27,000 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Power Train
WHEN I ATTEMPT TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, WITH THE SHIFT SET TO "P", I GET A MESSAGE THAT APPEARS, "ACTION REQUIRED SHIFT TO PARK", AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11257440
52,000 miles · Sep 10, 2019
Power Train
THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT WITHOUT FIXING THIS THE VEHICLE MAY NOT TURN OFF. SINCE IT IS A HYBRID IT MAY THEN TURN ON SILENTLY GENERATING CARBON MONOXIDE. RECENTLY WHEN I STOP AND TURN OFF THE CAR VIA THE DASH PUSH BUTTON SOMETIMES(BUT NOT ALWAYS) THE CONSOLE SAYS "ACTION REQUIRED. SHIFT INTO PARK" EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS A…
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THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT WITHOUT FIXING THIS THE VEHICLE MAY NOT TURN OFF. SINCE IT IS A HYBRID IT MAY THEN TURN ON SILENTLY GENERATING CARBON MONOXIDE. RECENTLY WHEN I STOP AND TURN OFF THE CAR VIA THE DASH PUSH BUTTON SOMETIMES(BUT NOT ALWAYS) THE CONSOLE SAYS "ACTION REQUIRED. SHIFT INTO PARK" EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN PARK. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY, AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RELATED TO WHETHER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN IN PARK, OR HOW VIGOROUSLY THE LEVER WAS SHIFTED TO PARK. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE PART AND REPAIR ARE NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY, OR WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. SINCE I AM AWARE OF MULTIPLE DEATHS RELATED TO INABILITY TO TURN OFF A CAR LEADING TO CARBON MONOXIDE GENERATION, I AM CONCERNED EVEN THOUGH THE MANIFESTATION I HAVE SEEN IS A SPURIOUS WARNING RATHER THAN A FAILURE TO TURN OFF THE CAR. POTENTIALLY THE DEALERSHIP IS WRONG. I CANNOT OTHERWISE OBTAIN ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, ITS SOLUTION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
NHTSA ODI #11254496
45,500 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Power Train
2017 CHEVY VOLT PREMIUM WITH 45,500 MILES WITH FULL ELECTRICAL CHARGE AND 3/4 TANK OF GAS. ON FRIDAY, 08/09/2019 I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY IN A,M, HOURS. VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. MESSAGE WAIT TO SHIFT HAD CLEARED FROM INSTRUMENT DISPLAY. AFTER SHIFTING AND NO RESPONSE IN PROPULSION, D…
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2017 CHEVY VOLT PREMIUM WITH 45,500 MILES WITH FULL ELECTRICAL CHARGE AND 3/4 TANK OF GAS. ON FRIDAY, 08/09/2019 I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY IN A,M, HOURS. VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. MESSAGE WAIT TO SHIFT HAD CLEARED FROM INSTRUMENT DISPLAY. AFTER SHIFTING AND NO RESPONSE IN PROPULSION, DISPLAY SHOWED "SHIFT TO PARK AND DEPRESS BRAKE" AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO REPEATS THE PROCESS. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RE-STARTING I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. NO OTHER PROBLEMS DISPLAYED OR ENCOUNTER DURING REMAINED OF MORNING. VEHICLE STARTED AND SHIFTED AS EXPECTED. IN THE AFTERNOON MY WIFE ENCOUNTER THE SAME PROBLEM AND COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR NOR SHUT IT OFF TO ATTEMPT TO RESTART. AFTER 30 MINUTES AND MULTIPLE CELL PHONE CALLS AND MY SEARCHING THE INTERNET SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE CORRECTLY AS DISPLAYED IN THE STICK SHIFT. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR EARLIEST APPOINT A WEEK AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND PREPARED FOR THE HOOK IN THE DRIVEWAY. ON MONDAY 08/12/2019 I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET IT OUT OF PARK. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP RATHER THAN WAIT TO FOR MORE UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE HAVING IT TOWED ON FRIDAY 08/16/2019. DEALERSHIP. ON TUESDAY, 08/20/2019 DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THEY HAD DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM RELATED TO THE EXHAUST EMISSIONS MODULE AND THAT EFFECTED THE SHIFTING PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE PART. THE COST WERE COVERED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. ON THURSDAY 08/22/2019 I RETRIEVED THE CAR. WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM SINCE. SAFETY ISSUES ARE AS MENTIONED ABOVE. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL BY GM / CHEVY FOR THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11253032
28,000 miles · Aug 27, 2019
Power Train
WHEN I ATTEMPT TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, WITH THE SHIFT LEVER SET TO "P", I GET A MESSAGE THAT APPEARS, "ACTION REQUIRED SHIFT TO PARK", AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11246680
20,800 miles · Jun 25, 2019
Engine
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY INSTEAD. A WARNING ABOUT REDUCED POWER SHOWED ON THE DASH. WE BARELY MADE IT TO AN EXIT AND A GAS STATION, AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART, WITH ANOTHER WARNING OF "SERVICE HIGH VOLTAGE CHARGING SYSTEM". WE HAD TO HAVE THE VE…
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WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY INSTEAD. A WARNING ABOUT REDUCED POWER SHOWED ON THE DASH. WE BARELY MADE IT TO AN EXIT AND A GAS STATION, AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART, WITH ANOTHER WARNING OF "SERVICE HIGH VOLTAGE CHARGING SYSTEM". WE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER.. IF WE HAD BEEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN WE WENT TO PASS THE OTHER VEHICLE, WE COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11222422
28,000 miles · Jun 18, 2019
Steering
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED - ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK AND IT WOULD HAVE IT IT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC OR PARKING GARAGE OR ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE MANEUVER. THE CAR IS 3 YRS AND 3 MONTHS OLD WITH APPROX 28,000 EASY MILES- THE FIRST 2017 IN SPOKANE DELIVERED IN 2016 (YES, A 2017 BUILT IN EARLY 2016). THE LT VERSION. HAPPENED AFTE…
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ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED - ALMOST CAUSED A WRECK AND IT WOULD HAVE IT IT HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC OR PARKING GARAGE OR ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE MANEUVER. THE CAR IS 3 YRS AND 3 MONTHS OLD WITH APPROX 28,000 EASY MILES- THE FIRST 2017 IN SPOKANE DELIVERED IN 2016 (YES, A 2017 BUILT IN EARLY 2016). THE LT VERSION. HAPPENED AFTER TYPICAL CITY DRIVE ON ALL ELECTRIC IN MODEST TEMPERATURES AND CLEAR WEATHER AND RUNNING ON ELECTRIC. MY WIFE WAS TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING LOCKED BUT I BELIEVE IT JUST TURNED VERY HARD AT LOW SPEED WITH NO POWER ASSIST. NO WARNING. AFTER THIS OCCURRED SHE POWERED DOWN AND POWERED BACK ON THE CAR AND THERE WAS A MESSAGE SAYING "POWER STEERING IS WORKING, DRIVE CAREFULLY" SO CAME IN AND TOLD ME BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WORKING. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, IT RECOVERED IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND WORKED LIKE NORMAL FOR A FEW DAYS NOW. SHE DOES NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VOLT NOW. FTI ANOTHER SAME MODEL VOLT LT DELIVERED TO LOCAL DEALER IN THE SAME BATCH OF VOLTS, THE THIRD VOLT DELIVERED TO SAME LOCAL DEALER, HAD MANY MANY MORE ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING. I LOVE MY VOLT, AN OTHERWISE GREAT SAFE AND WELL HANDLING CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11220807
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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