9.7

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

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #51

Apr 052025

Volt

  • miles
Vehicle produced error without any warning about propulsion system no longer working shortly after low fuel warning when tank is fuel and engine fails and vehicles comes to a crawl.

- Davenport, FL, USA

problem #50

Jan 012025

Volt

  • miles
Issue Summary: The Chevy Volt has experienced recurring electrical problems, including the "Shift to Park" message, loss of power, and dead 12V battery. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership three times due to these issues. One incident involved a power loss while driving at 65 mph, which caused a near-miss with a semi-truck, posing a significant safety risk. Warranty Status: The additional warranty was purchased, but only one of the three incidents occurred while the vehicle was under warranty. Safety Concerns: The repeated electrical failures, especially while driving at high speeds, raise serious safety concerns

- Myrtle Creek, OR, USA

problem #49

Mar 302025

Volt

  • miles
EGR valve failure at highway speed of 70mpg on busy road with passenger and service dog in vehicle on a road trip (on ICE not electric). This produces a reduced propulsion in the vehicle and it becomes unsafe to drive. The EGR failure blew the 15A #3 fuse known as the "no walk home" fuse, so I needed to be towed to a parts store then unplug the EGR valve to make it somewhere safe. It was a Sunday, so every dealership (in the VA area at least) was closed. It is a well known/documented issue and the warranties have been extended, but only in a few states with the CARB protections. There are no warnings, if I was not an adept driver, we could all be dead. I also became stranded ~six hours from my home and only ~eight thousand miles outside of warranty. The replacement part costs ~$1800 without labor - the most expensive EGR valve the 60yr old parts employee at the dealership had ever seen, on a hybrid car which doesn't even truly require the part to operate or to pass emissions in some states. I think GM will help me with a goodwill repair in this case, as I have been a loyal Chevy customer my entire life and Volt owner since 2013 - but that is not the norm, so please take action and extend warranty protection to all Volt owners like the BECM issue.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #48

Feb 132025

Volt

  • miles
Yesterday, my daughter was driving on [XXX] in Seattle traveling around 65mph when the vehicle lost power and reported the error of "shift to park", "Propulsion reduced" and "StabiliTrak failure". Luckily, she coasted to an off-ramp and safely put the vehicle in park. Thankfully she was not involved in an accident, but was very shaken by the experience. After doing some research it seems that the Chevy Volt has a known issue with the BECM and GM has failed to issue a recall, putting thousands of lives at risk. After turning the vehicle on and off several times, she was able to get it started and with minimal propulsion on residential streets was able to return to our house. this morning I dropped the vehicle at our local GM dealer for diagnosis and repair, but wanted to file a report, to hopefully prevent this from happening to another unsuspecting driver/child. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #47

Apr 062023

Volt

  • miles
Randomly getting Propulsion power is reduced and loss power while driving. Been force to pull over to the side on the freeway to restart the car.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #46

Nov 012023

Volt

  • miles
The BECM (Battery Electric Control Module) failed in November of 2023. Mountain Chevrolet has had my vehicle since then, claiming to be unable to find replacement battery module. The vehicle is available for inspection at Mountain Chevrolet (it has been left unlocked, unprotected, and exposed to the elements for almost 15 months now). When the BECM failed, the vehicle lost virtually all power and slowed dramatically from highway speeds to ~20 mph. There were no warnings prior to the failure.

- Carbondale, CO, USA

problem #45

Dec 142024

Volt

  • miles
Driving on gas on the highway, the adaptive cruise control suddenly disabled with a "Reduced Propulsion" message on the dash and a check engine light. The car started struggling in its propulsion. We found an AutoZone and scanned the codes, and multiple were returned. A Google search pointed us to the "walk home" fuse, which indeed had been blown. Replacing that fuse and disconnecting/reconnecting the battery eliminated the errors. Less than a week later during highway driving (the next time the battery charge was used up and it switched to the ICE) I got another check engine light, but this time without the "reduced propulsion" message. Scanning at AutoZone again revealed a P0404 message referencing the EGR valve. Due to the limited availability of the part I have called into Covert Bastrop (Bastrop, TX) and am waiting to hear back on their ability to fix the car.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #44

Sep 012024

Volt

  • miles
The issue started with a forward push while lowering my speed while coming to a stop. It then progressed to a trembling engine. Then it progressed to the car struggling to effectively switch from electric to gas and back. It then would only be usable on electric range and the engine would not start and would be greyed out. Now, it only works on engine mode, it uses fuel like a pick up truck, it loses power while driving due to trying to switch to electric mode and back, and it struggles to accelerate. It will do it while idle as well as while driving 45mph and up. It barely has any propulsion power and I have to turn my hazards on any time I am going to accelerate. If I brake hard the engine will shake violently and then shut off. I then have to switch gears from drive to park or neutral to park to drive to reengage the engine. Recently it has turned on all the accessories but the ev and the gas is greyed out and there is zero propulsion power. I replaced the 12v battery thinking it might have been dying and it still has the same issue. I read about the class action lawsuit for the BCEM and have made an appointment the dealership but when I told them what was wrong with it the said we need to wait for the diagnostics.

- Kissimmee , FL, USA

problem #43

Sep 182024

Volt

  • miles
On 9/18/24 I was driving my Chevrolet 2018 Volt on a freeway, traveling at approximately 55 mph while starting to exit the freeway. In the middle of fast-moving traffic, on the freeway offramp and starting to decelerate, the car suddenly displayed a message saying "Propulsion Power is Reduced." A micro-second later, the displayed message changed to read "Action Required: Shift to Park" and in that moment I lost control of the car's powertrain. I continued to break, coming to a slow stop in the middle lane of a multi-lane offramp, with other cars speeding past and around me. I attempted to power the car down and reboot it, moving the gear shift into "Park" position as instructed, but nothing changed. The car remained totally inoperable. I was on a slight decline and noticed the car moving forward pulled by gravity, so I steered the car to the farthest right of the offramp/parallel street, where I put my hazard signals on and requested the car be towed to a mechanic. I was endangered because the car lost entire propulsion while in the middle of fast-moving freeway traffic, and fellow motorists were endangered as well. I have learned that this same behavior occurs routinely with 2nd generation Volts; that there is a special bulletin related to the car's BCEM* a related class-action lawsuit posed against GM/Chevrolet. I requested Chevrolet take preemptive action to repair the BCEM, as I am fearful the issue will repeat and cause additional danger to myself and fellow motorists, but Chevrolet says they cannot repair the part until it is diagnosed as defective... which will occur when/if the part fails again, and I'm already in danger.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #42

Aug 302024

Volt

  • miles
On 8/30/2024 I had driven my 2018 Volt (purchased new on 3/27/2019), with about 45,000 miles on it, on a normally 5 hour trip. About 3 hours into my trip on I-94 my car suddenly slowed down with a "Reduced Propulsion" message and a check engine light that came on. (The engine probably has run less than 25,000 miles of the total miles I have driven it, with the rest being purely on battery.) I was extremely fortunate to have been in the slow lane when the car suddenly stopped accelerating. This could have easily turned out very, very bad. The next day I had a dealer diagnose the car for a little over $400 - they told me there was a problem with my engines EGR valve and that the parts were back ordered so they couldn't give me an indication of when it could be repaired. I got the car back to my home dealer and they charged me another $200 to re-diagnose the problem and came the same conclusion of a bad EGR valve. They too have been unable to get a valve from GM. They have quoted me about $4,000 to have a new valve installed when they can get one. Heck, the car only has 45,000 miles on it!!

- Waukesha, WI, USA

problem #41

Jul 212024

Volt

  • miles
While driving our 2018 Chevy Volt, dashboard warning message -??Propulsion Power Reduced-?? displayed. Vehicle performance was not otherwise affected. Subsequent diagnosis from our Chevy Dealer was, among other things, a faulty Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve. We were informed that our vehicle was -??no longer safe to drive in this condition-?? and the vehicle has been sitting on the Dealer-??s lot awaiting a replacement part for 2 months and counting, with no expectation of near-term resolution of our problem. We are aware that this is a widespread problem on 2017-18 Volt models, with many dissatisfied owners.

- Avon, CT, USA

problem #40

Aug 282024

Volt

  • miles
I think this is an EGR or BECM issue. Yes, the car is available for inspection. I plan on calling the local dealership soon. The car loses speed and does not respond to the accelerator. It must be turned off and back on again to function properly. This is very dangerous when it happens in traffic. The check engine light comes on, and a reduced propulsion message has appeared. This has happened several times over the past couple of weeks. Each time, I was driving in normal mode, using electric power. Suddenly, the electric range displayed zero miles left, the gas engine turned on, but the car lost speed and would not respond to the accelerator. I have not had it inspected because I don't know how to force it to replicate. I don't want to pay for the dealership to diagnose a problem they won't find.

- Roseburg, OR, USA

problem #39

Aug 082024

Volt

  • miles
I have had 3 separate "Low Propulsion" warnings pop up, in combination with a check engine light, in the last 9 months. Everytime I take it to the dealership, they say it was a same code, and something to do with the oil valve. They repair it, and 3 months later it happens again. Going in for my 4'th repair soon, but I just saw there was a recall issued on the BCEM, but apparently it only applies to certain VINs" I have seen online posts from people saying they had to call GM to get them to approve the recall for their vehicles. Why would it only be certain vins"

- San Mateo, CA, USA

problem #38

Jul 132024

Volt

  • miles
Reduced Power/Low Propulsion warning, Check engine light. Car may experience reduced power. Could be hazardous at high speed. Dealer diagnosed vehicle and found bad EGR valve. Part is on back order with consumers waiting months even years for replacement part

- Glendale Heights, IL, USA

problem #37

Jan 012023

Volt

  • miles
Our Volt EGR valve has gone bad and car not drivable. They claim these have been on back order (very expensive) for a year! They also say it's NOT part of emissions! WTH? Car gas 36k HELP!!

- Hendersonvlle, NC, USA

problem #36

Apr 262024

Volt

  • miles
On [XXX] while driving with my son in IN on [XXX] to my niece's wedding in PA, a reduced power warning sounded on the driver's console. Was able to stop and get gas at the eastbound travel plaza near mile marker [XXX]. Getting back on the road and accelerating toward 70 mph, suddenly lost all drive power. The fuel gauge side of the console was lit in yellow and said something like "No fuel detected." Pulled over to the shoulder and found the engine would start, run, and then die. An IN State Police Officer was kind enough to offer us an escort to the next exit near mile marker [XXX]. Noticed that the engine would remain running for longer periods and finally stayed on continuously. While being escorted, was able to run the speed up to 55 mph and made it safely to the interstate exit. During this time my son was checking online and found that the problem might be due a blown fuse. At the [XXX] exit we found a Pilot station that carried fuse sets. One of the sets had the fuse we needed. We bought two sets. We replaced the fuse--it had blown--and the car ran well again. This fuse is called "No walk home." We were able to continue on at 70 mph until stopping at a friends home in western PA for a few hours rest. While at our friend's home we partially charged the Volt's battery giving us about 20 miles of electric range. While in electric mode we stopped for gas. We drove through the mountains without incident then stopped for gas again in central PA at the Cumberland Valley Service Plaza. Filled the tank and while accelerating from the plaza again lost power and had to pull over. Replacing the fuse solved the problem once more. It appeared that turning off the engine while in gas mode and then turning the engine back on leads to the fuse blowing. That Sunday on the return trip to IL, I never turned the car off when refueling. This got me back home without incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #35

May 262024

Volt

  • miles
While driving on the highway, the EGR valve in my car malfunctioned, initially causing my dashboard to read "Propulsion Power is Reduced". After continuing to drive the car, the dashboard read 'Engine not available, service soon', where it stalled and we had to restart the car. After restarting, the car went into EV mode with significantly reduced speed. Our safety was put at risk due to the initial stalling and subsequent reduced speed on the highway. The problem has been reproduced since the initial incident and our dealership confirmed the problem relating to the EGR valve which continues to blow fuses when the engine is over-exerted while using gas. The dealership said that this is covered under warranty however, there has been a 5-year back-order on the part and they are refusing to offer any loaner car or compensation for a rental car.

- Princeton, NJ, USA

problem #34

Aug 182023

Volt

  • miles
While driving in August 2023, the vehicle seemed to lose acceleration power and a warning regarding the reduced propulsion appeared. The vehicle was taken in to the dealership and the diagnosis was that the EGR valve needed to be replaced. Still waiting on the issue to be resolved as GM doesn't seem to have the part required to fix the problem.

- Grovetown, GA, USA

problem #33

Mar 162024

Volt

  • miles
The "module" that controls the engine's charging of the battery failed and the car quickly went into reduced power mode and then quickly shut down altogether this happened within a mile or so. Fortunately this happened on a parkway where I could get to the curb safely. However, I had just come off [XXX] in St. Louis with very heavy 65 MPH traffic, and had it shut down a few miles earlier I would have been in real trouble. I understand the NHTSA has opened an investigation into this type of problem with the Volt, but I have also heard that G M is reporting they have the parts to fix cars that are affected. This is not true! I live in Lenexa, KS, and my Volt is at ELCO Chevrolet in Baldwin MO. The service representative told me on [XXX] the part I need is "on backorder" and he has no idea when the part might be supplied to him. Apparently, GM does not have this part anywhere in the world, a part without which the car will not move. This is inexcusable! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #32

Nov 092023

Volt

  • miles
Early on the week of November 9th my car displayed a message that there was "Low propulsion power - engine not available." Upon returning home and parking the car it started without incident the following day. On November [XXX], my vehicle stated "Low propulsion power - engine not available" but this time the car shut down completely leaving me unable to return home. I had the car towed to Fairway Chevrolet for repairs. The service technician indicated that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced and the part was out of stock and would take 3 weeks to become available. No rental or loaner car was provided. On November [XXX] I was told that my car was fixed and it would be able to be picked up. I picked up the car and parked it at home and drove the car I was currently renting to California for the Thanksgiving holiday. Upon returning home, I returned my rental and returned to my car. The car behaved normally but after driving down a busy roadway for less than 2 miles the "Low propulsion power - engine not available" message reappeared and the car shut off IMMEDIATELY. This is horrifyingly dangerous especially considering the speed and location of where I was driving. I had the car towed to Fairway Chevrolet but didn't speak to anyone until the morning. In the morning I called in and explained what happened and stressed the safety fact that my car was returned and malfunctioned in a very dangerous way. The tech said that they were going to perform a diagnostic which they were going to charge me for, even though the original repair did not fix the defect. Fairway performed the diagnostic and stated they need to clean the engine bay and run a separate diagnostic of the brake system. These total more than $1.6k out of pocket and are not related to the power deactivating while in motion. My car is still at Fairway as they have not started the repairs and I am still self paying for a rental car. Fairway is uncooperative and refuse to check into the propulsion INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

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