IllustrationI put the car in park and try to shut it off but it says I need to put the vehicle in park. It is in park but will not shut off.
2018 Chevrolet Volt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Volt do not stand out strongly from 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
Limited mileage data: 50 of 222 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
86 reportsPARK TO SHIFT ISSUE. WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN PARK IT IS NOT RECOGNIZED AND SAYS THAT ACTION IS REQUIRED. GIGGLING THE SHIFTER OR PRESSING THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER USUALLY TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF UNLESS IT RECOGNIZES IT IS IN PARK.
WHEN FULLY STOPPED AND IN PARK, TURNING CAR OFF, MESSAGE APPEARS 'SHIFT TO PARK' CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. UPON PUSHING START TO TURN CAR OFF, MOST LIGHTS ETC. TURN OFF EXCEPT THE SPEEDO DISPLAY. NO WAY TO TURN IT OFF. CAR HORN HONKS UPON EXITING CAR WITH KEYS. SPEEDO LIGHTS STAY ON, DRAINING BATTERY BATTERY AND POSSIBLY TEMPTING…
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WHEN FULLY STOPPED AND IN PARK, TURNING CAR OFF, MESSAGE APPEARS 'SHIFT TO PARK' CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. UPON PUSHING START TO TURN CAR OFF, MOST LIGHTS ETC. TURN OFF EXCEPT THE SPEEDO DISPLAY. NO WAY TO TURN IT OFF. CAR HORN HONKS UPON EXITING CAR WITH KEYS. SPEEDO LIGHTS STAY ON, DRAINING BATTERY BATTERY AND POSSIBLY TEMPTING A CAR THIEF.
NTSB SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL OF CERTAIN CHEVROLET VOLTS. AS AN OWNER I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET STATING THAT MY VOLT 'MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE IT COULD GRADUALLY LOSE THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN VOLTAGE. IF BATTERY CONCERNS ARE NOT ADDRESSED, OVER TIME THE VEHICLE COULD ENTER A REDUCED PROPULSION MODE WHILE DRIVING, OR L…
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NTSB SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL OF CERTAIN CHEVROLET VOLTS. AS AN OWNER I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET STATING THAT MY VOLT 'MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE IT COULD GRADUALLY LOSE THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN VOLTAGE. IF BATTERY CONCERNS ARE NOT ADDRESSED, OVER TIME THE VEHICLE COULD ENTER A REDUCED PROPULSION MODE WHILE DRIVING, OR LOSE PROPULSION, OR IT MAY NOT START.' LOSING PROPULSION WHILE DRIVING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND WARRANTS A RECALL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO PARK.
VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF ON A REGULAR BASIS.. RECEIVE A MESSAGE THAT READS: 'ACTION REQUIRED. SHIFT TO PARK.' WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF OR LOCKED. RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS NEARLY ALL 2016, 2017 AND 2018 CHEVROLET VOLTS. A…
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VEHICLE WILL NOT TURN OFF ON A REGULAR BASIS.. RECEIVE A MESSAGE THAT READS: 'ACTION REQUIRED. SHIFT TO PARK.' WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE TURNED OFF OR LOCKED. RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS NEARLY ALL 2016, 2017 AND 2018 CHEVROLET VOLTS. A RECALL SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED!
VEHICLE WILL NOT SHUT DOWN PROPERLY. WHEN TRYING TO TURN OFF PUSH BUTTON IGNITION THE VEHICLE SAYS " ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK". THE VEHICLE IS ALREADY STOPPED AND IN PARK HOWEVER IT IS NOT REGISTERING SOMEHOW.
'SHIFT TO PARK' PROBLEM THE CAR WON'T SHUTDOWN
THE VEHICLE HAS MORE CONSISTENTLY FAILED TO TURN OFF THE DISPLAY KEEP SEEING SHIFT TO PARK AND IT'S HAPPENING WITH MORE FREQUENCY.
I LEASED A CHEVY VOLT 2018, ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST FEW CHARGE, USING THE CABLE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE THE CAR DO NOT CHARGE ANYMORE, AIR CONDITIONING NOT WAS WORKING, I REPOSTED THE ISSUES TO THE SALES AGENT. HE RESPONDED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, THAT I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO USE IT. A COUPLE OF M…
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I LEASED A CHEVY VOLT 2018, ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST FEW CHARGE, USING THE CABLE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE THE CAR DO NOT CHARGE ANYMORE, AIR CONDITIONING NOT WAS WORKING, I REPOSTED THE ISSUES TO THE SALES AGENT. HE RESPONDED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, THAT I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO USE IT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SAKE AND THE CONTROL PANNEL WENT CRAZY, I CALL AGAIN TO THE DEALER. THEY TELL ME THIS TIME TO BRING THE CAR INN. AFTER THE KEEP IT FOR A DAY, THEY CALL ME TO SAID THAT THEY HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR BECAUSE THE CAR HAVE A DIFECTEC BATTERY CELL, THEY TELL ME THAT THEY NEED TO ORDER THIS CELD AND INSTALL IT. THEY KEEP THE CAR FOR A WEEK. AFTER THE CAR WORK OK FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND AFTER THE AIR CONDITIONING NO NOT WORK, I CALL AGEING TO REPORT THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY GIVE ME THE SAME ANSWER. AFTER I RECEIVED A NOTICE OF A RECALL FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING, I TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE AND I NOTICED THAT THEY NEVER ROTATED THE TIRES AS THEY CLAIMED. THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIR CONTINUE, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER CLOSER TO MY HOME, THEY TELL ME THAT THE CAR HAVE A PROBLEM AND THEY NEED TO KEED THE VEHICLE. AFTER THEY TELL ME THAT I HAVE TO PAID BECAUSE FOR THE REPAIRS ABOUT 1600.00 BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM I DON'T HAVE A CAR AND I'M ABOUT TO LOSS MY JOB. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. I ASK THE DEALER TO PLEASE TO TAKE BACK THE CAR. I ALSO ASK CHEVROLET CORPORATION BUT NOT ANSWER HAS BEEN TAKEN, THIS CAUSE ME TO LOSS MY JOD SND CREATED MANY PROBLEM TO ME AND MY FAMILY. THE VEHICLE STILL ON THE SHOP FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS AND THEY TRLL MR THAT MAYBE TAKE LONGER. CAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART AND THAT IS ON BACK ORDER.
Official recalls
218V673000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Sep 26, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.
18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Aug 30, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
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.