On April 5, 2025, I was slowly maneuvering my 2014 Chevrolet Volt into my garage when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly surged forward, despite only lightly tapping the brake and not touching the accelerator. The car had been displaying the warning, “Propulsion Power is Reduced” and was not holding an electric charge in the days before the incident. No malfunction indicator lamp ever turned on. Per the owner’s manual, the vehicle did not need to be serviced because the malfunction indicator light never came on at the same time as the propulsion power reduced message. This led me to believe the vehicle was safe to drive. The unexpected surge caused the car to strike and damage the garage wall. I filed a claim with GM’s representative (ESIS), which was denied. I am now seeking $5,000 in damages for the repair of the garage structure. My homeowner's insurance did not reimburse me for my $5000 deductible, claiming the property damage was my fault because I chose to drive the car, knowing there was something wrong with it. Insurance company claimed the car a total loss and paid me $10k for it.
Fortunately no one was injured. It is scary to think what could have happened if there was a person in my garage, or if this unintended acceleration happened some place else with people around.
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On April 5, 2025, I was slowly maneuvering my 2014 Chevrolet Volt into my garage when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly surged forward, despite only lightly tapping the brake and not touching the accelerator. The car had been displaying the warning, “Propulsion Power is Reduced” and was not holding an electric charge in the days before the incident. No malfunction indicator lamp ever turned on. Per the owner’s manual, the vehicle did not need to be serviced because the malfunction indicator light never came on at the same time as the propulsion power reduced message. This led me to believe the vehicle was safe to drive. The unexpected surge caused the car to strike and damage the garage wall. I filed a claim with GM’s representative (ESIS), which was denied. I am now seeking $5,000 in damages for the repair of the garage structure. My homeowner's insurance did not reimburse me for my $5000 deductible, claiming the property damage was my fault because I chose to drive the car, knowing there was something wrong with it. Insurance company claimed the car a total loss and paid me $10k for it.
Fortunately no one was injured. It is scary to think what could have happened if there was a person in my garage, or if this unintended acceleration happened some place else with people around.
- Anita P., Sacramento, US