IllustrationFront brake calipers are sticking on, causing the brake pad to engage the rotor causing excessive heat. Risk of fire when parked in garage. I have had the calipers taken apart and cleaned and greased and still have the issue. I have read many reports on message boards of the same issue with no fix.
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
Service Brakes complaints
9 reportsMain Issue: Ongoing issue with stuck caliper causing the pads and wheels to overheat increasing the tire pressure to dangerous levels. The regenerative braking system is actually very effective in slowing the car when driven in L mode. If driven smartly, driver rarely have to use a lot of force using the physical brakes and rot…
Read full complaint
Main Issue: Ongoing issue with stuck caliper causing the pads and wheels to overheat increasing the tire pressure to dangerous levels. The regenerative braking system is actually very effective in slowing the car when driven in L mode. If driven smartly, driver rarely have to use a lot of force using the physical brakes and rotors. Three times now, I have had issues where the front calipers were seized and the brakes were stuck causing the wheels to have visible smoke, odors and extreme temps. Perhaps they are not being used as much as normal brakes but service was done at the dealership on both cases, only to have the issue return within a year on a low mileage car. Looking at online forums, this appears to be a common issue with the Volt. Often the High Pressure Accumulator (HPA) is not properly reset during a brake job. [XXX] I have had other non EV cars with regular brakes that worked fine for > 50k miles before service, so there is clearly an issue here. Ironically, as these brakes caliper/pistons/rotors are less used due to regen, the chance of them getting stuck seems to be an issue when they are actually engaged leading to dangerous conditions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
abs system failure due to defect The cause of the condition may be a fracturing of the front half shaft anti-click washer (1) and possible collateral damage to the ABS wheel speed sensor (WSS). this defective $5 part causes thousands of dollars of repair this should be a recall as there are numerous reports of these parts fai…
Read full complaint
abs system failure due to defect The cause of the condition may be a fracturing of the front half shaft anti-click washer (1) and possible collateral damage to the ABS wheel speed sensor (WSS). this defective $5 part causes thousands of dollars of repair this should be a recall as there are numerous reports of these parts failing and causing the vehicles braking system to be impaired this failure has happened to this vehicle 2 times with in the last 60 days
A Shift to Park message displayed while the vehicle is in park. The car will not turn off and continues to run. The issue is well documented through GM/Chevrolet, as they have a service bulletin (19-NA-206) for it. That document specifically states that the Voltec Warranty covers this issue, but Chevrolet is refusing to service …
Read full complaint
A Shift to Park message displayed while the vehicle is in park. The car will not turn off and continues to run. The issue is well documented through GM/Chevrolet, as they have a service bulletin (19-NA-206) for it. That document specifically states that the Voltec Warranty covers this issue, but Chevrolet is refusing to service my car based on its VIN number, despite identifying it as the same issue. And for the last question, no lights initially came on but then the check engine light came back on. When the car was finally turned off at the dealership, it turned back on with no issue lights or messages.
After I put the car in park, the car dashboard doesnt reflect this change, essentially assumes the car is not in park and I am unable to lock the car and the lights will stay on for a while. After jiggling the shift handle just the right way I could get it to recognize the car was indeed in park.
AFTER FULLY CHARGED MY CAR, I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING GARAGE AND INTO AN AVAILABLE PARKING STALL AT WORK ON FRIDAY JANUARY 24TH 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:50PM. I LET MY CAR CRUISE INTO THE STALL WHILE MY FOOT IS COVERING THE BRAKES. HALFWAY INTO THE PARKING STALL, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT DID NOT…
Read full complaint
AFTER FULLY CHARGED MY CAR, I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING GARAGE AND INTO AN AVAILABLE PARKING STALL AT WORK ON FRIDAY JANUARY 24TH 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:50PM. I LET MY CAR CRUISE INTO THE STALL WHILE MY FOOT IS COVERING THE BRAKES. HALFWAY INTO THE PARKING STALL, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT DID NOT HELP. IT STOPPED ONLY WHEN IT JUMPED THE FRONT CONCRETE STALL WITH 2 FRONT WHEELS AND HIT THE TREES THEN ROLLED BACK. I THEN IMMEDIATELY SHIFT THE GEAR TO PARK. THE DAY WAS SUNNY AND ROAD CONDITION WAS DRY. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT IT HIT THE TREES AND NOT OTHER CARS IF I WERE TO TAKE THIS OUT ON THE ROAD. THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOWS TIRE MARKS AS I AM TRYING TO BRAKE AND THE TIRE WEARS.
GEN 2 VOLT HAS A PADDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN THAT BRAKES THE VEHICLE AND ADDS SOME CHARGE TO THE MAIN BATTERY. (PART OF THR REGEN SYSTEM) SINCE IT BRAKES THE VEHICLE I BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS SHOULD ILLUMINATE , THEY DON'T . IN THE OWNERS IT STATES THAT THE "BRAKE LIGHTS MAY COME ON"... MAY???..... I HAD THE VEHICLE IN…
Read full complaint
GEN 2 VOLT HAS A PADDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN THAT BRAKES THE VEHICLE AND ADDS SOME CHARGE TO THE MAIN BATTERY. (PART OF THR REGEN SYSTEM) SINCE IT BRAKES THE VEHICLE I BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS SHOULD ILLUMINATE , THEY DON'T . IN THE OWNERS IT STATES THAT THE "BRAKE LIGHTS MAY COME ON"... MAY???..... I HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 DAYS. THE BCM WAS CHANGED AND THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE ISSUE, IT DID NOT. I AND OTHER VOLT FORM MEMBERS FEEL THIS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. 17/2018
I RAN INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME DURING NORMAL TRAFFIC ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, TWO MONTHS TO THE DAY OF PICKING UP MY 2018 VOLT. THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME MAY HAVE STOPPED QUICKLY, BUT IT WAS NOT A STOP THE VOLT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE. I WAS ON A STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD I DRIVE EVERY DAY IN TRAFFIC. I HAD ME…
Read full complaint
I RAN INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME DURING NORMAL TRAFFIC ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, TWO MONTHS TO THE DAY OF PICKING UP MY 2018 VOLT. THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME MAY HAVE STOPPED QUICKLY, BUT IT WAS NOT A STOP THE VOLT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE. I WAS ON A STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD I DRIVE EVERY DAY IN TRAFFIC. I HAD MENTIONED TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT THE VOLT'S BRAKES JUST DID NOT FEEL ON PAR WITH THE REST OF THE CAR AND WOULD BE THE ONLY ASPECT OF THIS EV EXPERIENCE I FOUND LACKING. I HAVE THE DATED TEXT MESSAGES TO PROVE THIS. NOW I HAVE A VOLT AT THE BODY SHOP FOR THE 5TH WEEK (LACKING AN AC LINE FOR REASSEMBLY), AN OVER 55% INCREASE IN MY INSURANCE PREMIUMS (PER THE RENEWAL NOTICE I JUST RECEIVED) AND WHAT REALLY HASN'T BEEN A GOOD EXPERIENCE. WHILE I'M WAITING FOR THE RETURN OF MY VOLT I HAVE RECEIVED THE IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL INDICATING THE BRAKING PERFORMANCE MAY BE REDUCED. IF THE CAR HAD BEEN ABLE TO STOP TWO FEET SHORTER I'D HAVE AN UNDAMAGED THREE MONTH OLD VOLT AND MY INSURANCE STANDINGS UNTARNISHED. THAT TWO FEET ENDED UP COSTING OVER $17,500 TO THE CAR. TURNS OUT VOLTS ARE ALSO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I'M A 55 YEAR OLD MALE, NO WILD KID. STILL STUNS ME THAT IN 2018 GM CAN'T GET BRAKES RIGHT...THE MOST IMPORTANT OF SAFETY SYSTEMS.
COLLISION OCCURRED ON E DENNY WAY IN SEATTLE, APPROX 3:20 PM ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF CONSTANT BRAKE USE TO HOLD BACK THE CAR. ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY DOWNHILL THE BRAKES FAILED, NO RESISTANCE WHATSOEVER AND THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 15 FEET. THIS WAS …
Read full complaint
COLLISION OCCURRED ON E DENNY WAY IN SEATTLE, APPROX 3:20 PM ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF CONSTANT BRAKE USE TO HOLD BACK THE CAR. ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY DOWNHILL THE BRAKES FAILED, NO RESISTANCE WHATSOEVER AND THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 15 FEET. THIS WAS A ONE-OFF INCIDENT AND DID NOT RECUR SO FAR. GM AND 3RD PARTY INSPECTORS FOUND NO ERROR CODES, BUT THE BRAKES INDEED FAILED, WHICH MAKES ME SUSPECT A DESIGN PROBLEM IN THE BRAKE-BY-WIRE SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE PEDAL PRESSURE AND MODULATED REGENERATIVE BRAKING. IT WAS LIKE SLIDING ON ICE, NO TRACTION WHATSOEVER.
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.