IllustrationAFTER SHIFTING TO PARK AND PUSHING THE POWER BUTTON TO TURN THE CAR OFF, I GET THE MESSAGE "SHIFT TO PARK.", AND THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. THE CHEVY DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM IN OCTOBER OF 2019 AND IT WORKED UNTIL RECENTLY. *TR
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
What owners actually said
222 reports"SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING ALERT ISSUED WHEN SHIFTER IS ALREADY IN PARK. THIS ISSUE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AT LEAST 3X A DAY. WIGGLING AND/OR RESHIFTING TO PARK SOMETIMES RESOLVES THE ISSUE. MORE EFFORT AND TIME TO "PLAY" WITH THE SHIFTER IS REQUIRED IN THE LAST MONTH TO MAKE THE WARNING GO AWAY. ONLINE RESEARCH RESULTED IN MULT…
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"SHIFT TO PARK" WARNING ALERT ISSUED WHEN SHIFTER IS ALREADY IN PARK. THIS ISSUE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AT LEAST 3X A DAY. WIGGLING AND/OR RESHIFTING TO PARK SOMETIMES RESOLVES THE ISSUE. MORE EFFORT AND TIME TO "PLAY" WITH THE SHIFTER IS REQUIRED IN THE LAST MONTH TO MAKE THE WARNING GO AWAY. ONLINE RESEARCH RESULTED IN MULTIPLE REPORTS INCLUDING VIDEOS ON THE ISSUE WITH THE SHIFTER ASSY. THIS ISSUE STARTED OCCURRING WHEN THE CAR WAS 1.5YEARS OLD. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE SYSTEMIC WITH OTHER SIMILAR GM MODELS. PLEASE CONSIDER ISSUING RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF CAR AFTER DRIVING AND AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR INTO PARK, A MESSAGE APPEARS ON THE SCREEN TO SHIFT THE CAR TO PARK. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK THE MESSAGE REMAINS, AND THE CAR WON'T TURN OFF, OR WILL ONLY TURN OFF AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF AND BACK INTO PARK.
CAR SENDS NOTIFICATION TO "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN SHIFTER IS IN THE PARK POSITION AND GEAR SELECTION INDICATOR DISPLAY INDICATES "P". CAR WILL NOT SHUT DOWN UNTIL SHIFT TO PARK CONDITION HAS BEEN SATISFIED BY FINESSING THE SHIFTER. THIS IS AN ISSUE OF SAFETY BECAUSE THE CAR CANNOT BE TURNED OFF.
I AM HAVING THE SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE. THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OFF ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS IN PARK. THIS ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN TO USERS AND TO DEALERS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL
WHEN I SHUT DOWN POWER IN PARK ON MY 2018 CHEVY VOLT (THE CAR IS STATIONARY) THE CAR WILL NOT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS "SHIFT TO PARK". ESSENTIALLY, THE CAR IS NOT RECOGNIZING THAT THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. I CAN NOT WALK AWAY FRO MY CAR BECAUSE IT REMAINS ON. IT TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS UNTIL IT ULTIM…
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WHEN I SHUT DOWN POWER IN PARK ON MY 2018 CHEVY VOLT (THE CAR IS STATIONARY) THE CAR WILL NOT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS "SHIFT TO PARK". ESSENTIALLY, THE CAR IS NOT RECOGNIZING THAT THE CAR IS ALREADY IN PARK. I CAN NOT WALK AWAY FRO MY CAR BECAUSE IT REMAINS ON. IT TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS UNTIL IT ULTIMATELY WILL SHUT OFF. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE AS REPORTED BY OTHER CHEVY OWNERS.
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…
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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.
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO POWER OFF VEHICLE AFTER SHIFTING TO PARK, AN ERROR MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED ON CONSOLE, "SHIFT TO PARK", AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT POWER OFF. VEHICLE IS IN PARK WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURS, BUT REQUIRES SHIFTING OUT OF PARK, POSSIBLY MULTIPLE TIMES, TO ALLOW VEHICLE TO POWER OFF. ISSUE OCCURS DURING EACH USE OF VEHICLE.
SHIFT TO PARK ISSUE. WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK THE CAR STILL REPORTS SHIFT TO PARK WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN IT OFF.
ANDROID AUTO IS LESS SAFE THAN USING A PHONE ON THE DASH. IT IS VERY BUGGY, ALWAYS LAGGY. TODAY IT WAS UNRESPONSIVE FOR AN ENTIRE HOUR. EVEN AFTER REBOOTING THE PHONE AND THE CAR WHILE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED IT WOULD NOT COME BACK. WHEN IT DOES WORK IT IS SO SLOW IT IS A DISTRACTION. THE VOICE COMMANDS AS COMPLETELY UNRE…
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ANDROID AUTO IS LESS SAFE THAN USING A PHONE ON THE DASH. IT IS VERY BUGGY, ALWAYS LAGGY. TODAY IT WAS UNRESPONSIVE FOR AN ENTIRE HOUR. EVEN AFTER REBOOTING THE PHONE AND THE CAR WHILE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED IT WOULD NOT COME BACK. WHEN IT DOES WORK IT IS SO SLOW IT IS A DISTRACTION. THE VOICE COMMANDS AS COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE. THEY ONLY WORK HALF THE TIME AT BEST. THIS FORCES YOU TO TOUCH THE SCREEN AND TRY THOSE COMMANDS WHICH ARE ALSO UNRELIABLE. THE UPDATE IN AUGUST OF 2019 DID NOT MAKE ANYTHING BETTER. PLEASE DO NOT TRUST ANYONE'S LIVES TO A GOOGLE AUTOMATED CAR UNTIL THEY CAN GET SUCH A SIMPLE PIECE OF SOFTWARE AS ANDROID AUTO TO FUNCTION AT AN AUTOMOTIVE LEVEL OF RELIABILITY AND SAFETY. THIS INCLUDES NOT LETTING THE CARS ON THE ROADS TO ENDANGER OTHER PEOPLE. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS STATIONARY, ON CITY STREETS OR THE HIGHWAY.
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.