9.7

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
667 miles

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problem #3

Nov 082023

Volt

  • miles
My 2014 Chevy Volt suffered a complete failure of the EV power system when the battery reached 0 remaining miles. Unlike normal failover to hybrid mode, the vehicle switched into reduced power mode. I was able to drive home (1/4 mile) in this mode but was unable to charge or drive the car after parking it. At this point the car become completely immobile and had to be towed to the dealer (Jerry's Chevolet in Joppa MD). It was there as of December 18. 2023. This is the same behavior as noted in the complaint about Gen 2 Volts except this is a Gen 1 Volt. In the reduced power mode, the car does not accelerate normally and is subject to power surges. The dealer inspected the car and said that a failed cell in the traction battery caused a fault in the entire traction pack. The resulting repair requires a replacement of the battery for $22,000 not including labor! The car is otherwise in excellent condition. I had the SAME issue repaired under warranty in 2021 with the exact same symptoms. If a reasonable battery replacement was offered, I would happily repair the car. Prior to the fault, the vehicle performed normally and even had 39 miles of range (this is nearly original range). I had not indication that the battery may be failing or degraded.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #2

Jun 062018

Volt

  • miles
GM sent me a letter in June, 2019 notifying me that my 2014 Chevy Volt was in need of a software update -??that is intended to increase the amount of warning time provided to you before your vehicle enters a reduced propulsion mode while driving, loses propulsion, or might not start.-?? The letter goes on to say: -??WHAT WE WILL DO: Your Chevrolet dealer will update the Hybrid Power Control Module (HPCM2).-?? And: -??This service will be performed for you at no charge until June 30, 2021.-?? (NOTE: this was later extended until October, 2021.) As suggested, I made an appointment to perform this service with a local Chevrolet where I live and took my Volt there. However, they told me that this service is covered only as part of GM-??s -??Customer Satisfaction Program-?? and since this vehicle has a salvage title, they would have to charge me (>$150) for this service. For your information, when I bought this Volt, it only needed some relatively minor body work and there are no mechanical of safety issues associated with it. Furthermore, my OnStar Diagnostic Report warns me that this vehicle should seek service under GM Recall #N172130462 due to "Loss of Propulsion Due to Low Cell Voltage." So it seems to me that that this isn-??t just a matter of customer satisfaction, but rather a serious safety issue if I should suddenly lose propulsion while driving down the road. However, after writing a letter to GM and having several conversations with their Customer Care Department over the last year, they refused to perform this service at no charge to me as promised in their June 2019 letter. GM should do the right thing here and fix this problem.

- Rapid City, SD, USA

problem #1

Oct 232015

Volt

  • 2,000 miles
Car is a 2014 Volt with 1900 miles. I bought it new recently as a dealer display model with 100ish miles on it. Last night (10/22/15) on our trip to visit family and friends out of town, I was driving the car in hold mode (cruising at highway speed) and L. it had about 20 miles of charge left. Speed was approximately 65mph cruising. I suddenly get a dash indicator indicating that I am in reduced propulsion mode. The car's power is reduced, throttle input is decreased, and I am not able to accelerate as before. I move over the the slowest lane asap. The internal combustion engine was now off and I had switched to using the remaining charge. I then called onstar. They ran a diagnostic and came up with two codes (these are as detailed as my passenger could write down): 1. P0700 transmission not preforming as expected. 2. P0777 power trans? system detected malfunction with transmission control system. May affect vehicle performance including shifting behavior. Luckily we were able drive to the nearest dealer and have a family member pick us up. The dealer verified the codes, cleared them, but was unable to "reproduce" the problem. Therefore they made no change and returned the car to me. Multiple other owners have also had this problem and has not been systemically troubleshooted by Chevy as the local dealer's had no idea how to service.

- Ardmore, PA, USA