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 …
2017 Chevrolet Volt
Owners filed 703 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.
Avoid One of the Chevrolet Volt years to avoid: 4.1× the complaints of a typical Volt year. Which Chevrolet Volt years to avoid →
252 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 20,000–30,000 miles.
Most common 2017 Chevrolet Volt problems
243 of the 703 complaints (35%) are about the electrical system.
| Component | Reports | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 232 | 0 | 7 | 3 | |
| Power Train · transmission | 118 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system | 110 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| Engine | 93 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Unknown or Other | 59 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Service Brakes · brakes | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Air Bags · airbags | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) · stability control | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2017 Chevrolet Volt electrical system problems
35% of all complaints243 of the 703 complaints are about the electrical system. This is what owners describe:
- loses power18% · 44
- turns on the check engine light18% · 44
- sets off warning lights on the dash15% · 36
- will not start8% · 19
- stalls5% · 12
Share of the 243 electrical system complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.
“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at 65-70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power or experienced reduced motive power. The "Reduced Propulsion" message displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated.”
“My 2017 Chevrolet Volt, with 97,758 miles, experienced a failure that rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle would not start or operate normally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Chevrolet dealership for diagnosis. After several days, the dealership confirmed that the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) had failed. The dealership quoted approximately $2,500 for replacement, including parts and labor.”
Complaints and recalls over time
By year of filingComplaints about the 2017 Volt peaked in 2024, with 144 filed that year. No recall on file covers the electrical system, the subject of 35% of the complaints. In 2026 owners filed 34 so far.
NHTSA investigations
Office of Defects InvestigationBefore a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. 2 name the 2017 Volt.
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 …
Technical service bulletins
1,172 on fileRepair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2017 Volt. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to …
This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
Customer Satisfaction program - certain vehicles may have a condition related to the high voltage battery which could gradually lose the ability to maintain voltage. If battery concerns are not addressed, the vehicle could enter a reduced propulsion mode while driving, or lose propulsion, or it may not start. Dealers are to update the Hybrid Powertrain …
Customer Satisfaction program - certain vehicles may have a condition related to the high voltage battery which could gradually lose the ability to maintain voltage. If battery concerns are not addressed, the vehicle could enter a reduced propulsion mode while driving, or lose propulsion, or it may not start. Dealers are to update the Hybrid Powertrain …
This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
Showing the newest 6 of 249 bulletins about the electrical system, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-star safety ratings| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Volt 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.3% |
New Car Assessment Program results for this model year. Ratings compare cars of similar size and weight only.
What owners reported
Newest filingsThe contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Propulsion Power Reduced" was displayed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at 65-70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power or experienced reduced motive power. The "Reduced Propulsion" message displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, upon parking, the "Shift to Park" message displayed, causing the vehicle to fail to turn off until the contact pressed and held the Engine Start/Stop button multiple times. A diagnostic trouble code for the battery energy control module (BECM) was retrieved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The contact associated the failure with Special Coverage: N232432680 (Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction); however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the special coverage. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
I am reporting a suspected Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) failure in my 2017 Chevrolet Volt. My vehicle has experienced multiple symptoms consistent with the known BECM defect documented by General Motors, including intermittent failure to start, reduced propulsion power, and failure to operate on electric power despite the high-voltage battery being fully charged. When the vehicle did start, it would run using the gasoline engine instead of the fully charged battery. The vehicle also experienced reduced propulsion power, limiting acceleration and creating a serious safety concern, particularly when merging into traffic, crossing intersections, or driving at highway speeds. The intermittent starting failures also create a risk of becoming stranded. My vehicle has generated multiple diagnostic trouble codes associated with these malfunctions, which are available for review. These symptoms are consistent with those identified in GM Technical Service Bulletin 18-NA-261 and Special Coverage Program N232432680. GM established extended BECM warranty coverage of 15 years or 150,000 miles for eligible 2016–2018 Chevrolet Volts. However, despite my vehicle being a 2017 model and experiencing the same documented failures, my VIN is excluded from this coverage. NHTSA previously investigated this defect under PE23022 and closed its investigation following GM’s implementation of extended coverage. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate why my vehicle is excluded despite exhibiting t
My 2017 Chevrolet Volt, with 97,758 miles, experienced a failure that rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle would not start or operate normally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Chevrolet dealership for diagnosis. After several days, the dealership confirmed that the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) had failed. The dealership quoted approximately $2,500 for replacement, including parts and labor. This failure presents a serious potential safety concern because BECM malfunctions can result in loss of propulsion, reduced power, or an inability to restart the vehicle, potentially leaving drivers stranded in unsafe locations. General Motors has previously recognized BECM failures in certain Chevrolet Volt vehicles and established a special coverage adjustment for affected vehicles. However, despite my vehicle experiencing the same diagnosed component failure, GM informed me that my VIN was excluded from the coverage program. I contacted General Motors directly and opened a case. GM confirmed that my repair would be considered an out-of-pocket expense and advised me to report the failure to NHTSA. I believe this failure warrants investigation because vehicles experiencing the same defect should be evaluated regardless of whether their VINs are currently included in GM’s existing special coverage program. The failed BECM has been diagnosed by an authorized Chevrolet dealership. The vehicle’s current repair status and availability for further inspection can be confi
2017 Chevy Volt, lost propulsion and stalled on a highway in 3 separate instances. GM Case # XXX: The first instance, in late 2021, resulted in a BECM replacement. The following instances, XXX and SXXX, had the exact same symptoms: loss of propulsion on highway, shift to park, full charge but 0 range, check engine light. GM Case # XXX: In March the vehicle was towed to Haselwood Chevrolet in [XXX] and they told to check for BECM issues. The dealership refused to include the customer description of the failure on the highway, or acknowledge there was a possible BECM issue, since they said there was no BECM code. The failure presented as a classic intermittent BECM thermal failure. They failed to follow GM's diagnostic tree for an intermittent communication loss, as per GM Technical Service Bulletin PIP5812. Because of that diagnostics failure, I am now completely disabled, again, at [XXX],191 miles, 6 months later. This is a single, continuous warranty failure spanning from March through Sept 2026. GM Case # XXX: Due to previous misdiagnosis, I am awaiting GM’s pre-approval or referral for a rental car as covered by GM Special Coverage Program XXX, before having the car towed to Ruddell Chevrolet in [XXX]. I live a 2 hr round trip from [XXX] and am stranded without a loaner or rental. The tow truck is my way to the dealership to get a rental. If the BECM was recalled, these last two instances could have been prevented and I would not have had to fight tooth and nail with deale
I would like to file a formal complaint. 2017 Volt suffered an EVAP purge line hole due to the failure of the remedy applied under NHTSA Campaign ID 19V891000. Recall #N192273600 was completed on my vehicle in 2020 by installing a protective bumper. That bumper failed by shifting out of place, and the A/C line has now rubbed a hole completely through my EVAP purge pipe—the exact failure the recall was designed to prevent. I called GM and asked for a Goodwill Policy adjustment, and they refused as my dealer had already offered me a $500 reduction to the repair. The total cost of the repair is over $2700.
3rd failure of EGR valve (GM part 12691147, superseded by 19436521) on this vehicle. 10/10/2019 at 11,336 mi: Check Engine Light and Driver Information Center displayed "Loss of Propulsion" message; EGR valve diagnosed as cause and replaced by dealer under warranty at no cost. 11/2023 at approx. 30,000 mi: EGR valve failed again; dealer stated OEM part was no longer available from manufacturer due to supply shortage and installed a third-party replacement part; repair not covered, paid out of pocket. 8/26/2026 at 49,864 mi: EGR valve failed a third time; a used, refurbished part was sourced due to continued unavailability of a reliable new OEM part, with repair scheduled for 9/14/2026, again paid out of pocket. This is a known, recurring failure on 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volts, referenced in GM Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-206. The failure does not present only as an emissions fault — it triggers a "Loss of Propulsion" driver warning, indicating a direct impact on the vehicle's ability to be safely driven. Sustained unavailability of the OEM part is forcing owners toward third-party or used/refurbished parts of unknown long-term reliability, at repeated cost to the owner, in order to keep the vehicle operable.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the "Propulsion Power Reduced" and "Shift to Park" messages were intermittently displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle lost automotive power and stalled, and the contact pulled over to the shoulder to avoid a crash. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact sustained emotional distress from the failure. The vehicle was towed back to the residence and then towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the battery energy control module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that he had experienced a recurring loss of propulsion that would occur shortly after vehicle startup, which was attributed to a failure with the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The failure caused the check engine, ABS, Stabili-Trak, and Forward Collision Avoidance warning lights to illuminate. The contact informed the local dealer of the failure and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer acknowledged that there was a Customer Satisfaction Program for the failure, but the vehicle was not included. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Chevrolet is denying that my car is included in Special Coverage Bulletin N232432680, because of where it was built. The car is now in Kentucky, which is not a CARB state. Was the reason for a vehicle not to be included in the bulletin because it would be included under CARB? It seems like a loophole they are using not to fix my car. Am I wrong?
Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction Module replaced but not covered under Special Coverage N232432680
While driving down highway rapidly slowed to 15mph. "reduced propulsion" was displayed with significant battery and gas left. Caused cars to swerve and pile up behind me. The car was inspected by dealer and received a variety of U26XXX codes. Dealer states its a faulty BECM. There was no warning lights on before the incident and have had no issues till then. We were lucky this was during the day. Nighttime would have been a terrible accident with oncoming traffic. Dealer is not wanting to cover BECM repair from GM Special Coverage Bulletin N232432680 that was investigated by your organization a couple of years ago.
In March 2026, our 2017 Chevrolet Volt (89,300 miles) would not charge nor start, and had to be towed to an authorized Chevrolet dealership in Portland, Oregon. The dealership diagnosed an internal fault in the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) producing U26XX diagnostic trouble codes, per GM bulletin #18-NA-261, and replaced the BECM under GM Special Coverage N232432680 — GM's field remedy for a known BECM defect affecting 2016–2019 Volts that causes reduced power, no-start, or no-charge conditions (the subject of NHTSA investigation PE23022).The remedy failed immediately. On the day the vehicle was returned to us (March 26, 2026), the check engine light illuminated while driving home on public roads, and the vehicle failed to charge that same night — the identical condition it had before. It was towed back to the dealership. The dealership's second work order confirms in writing that the vehicle "will not start after previous repairs and is having the same issues," and attributes the failure to the high-voltage battery contactor. The dealership informed us the part is no longer produced and cannot be obtained, advising that the vehicle be scrapped. Safety concerns: (1) after the repair, the dealership returned the vehicle to us as fixed, and we drove it approximately 26 miles home on public highways in traffic, unaware the defect was still present — the check engine light illuminated during that drive. This defect is the subject of NHTSA investigation PE23022 into sudden
While driving at highway speeds over 100 miles away from home with my child in the vehicle, the car experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion power and entered 'Propulsion Power Reduced' mode, dropping vehicle speed immediately and creating an extreme hazard with high-speed highway traffic. A full computer scan revealed active diagnostic codes U2603 through U2624, confirming an internal hardware communication failure of the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). This matches GM Technical Service Bulletin 18-NA-261. The vehicle has over 150,000 miles, but I have only owned the car since January. This is a known, systemic manufacturing defect (cracked internal circuit board solder joints) that creates a critical safety liability regardless of vehicle mileage. GM has refused to remedy the safety defect due to the mileage limit.
Received "reduced propulsion" message, with no engine detected. Car slowed to a near stop while driving on the Interstate highway. Very dangerous to have that suddenly happen. Message popped up randomly with no prior warning.
I was not going to put in a complaint about this failure but after learning about GM creating a special extended warranty program for this issue, I felt it should be addressed and treated as a recall. The battery energy control module (BECM) failed on my 2017 Chevrolet Volt at exactly 170,000 miles in December of 2024, leaving me in a dangerous position on the roadway and almost causing me to be rear ended due to losing the ability to accelerate. I had no choice but to have the vehicle towed to a dealership where it was eventually repaired with an out of pocket cost of $1900. My vehicle was not eligible for the extended warranty program which I find to be unacceptable.
BECM failure. My car is available for inspection upon request. This car has unexpectedly stopped adequately accelerating all of a sudden while on the road! This problems has been confirmed by the dealership. The manufacturer has not inspected it. Not much warning. I found out SOME not ALL chevrolet volt 2017 users got their BECM replaced without cost because it is a WELL KNOWN ISSUE with the car. Chevrolet did not provide extended warranty for all chevrolet volt users even though it is an issue with most volts. I do drive much. I got the car when it was brand new and in 8 years accumulated 77k miles. If I had known all of the cars would have had this safety issue I would not have bought the car in the first place. Chevrolet expects me to pay 2500 out of pocket for something they know is faulty and dangerous in their vehicles.
Egr valve went out ; causing a fuse to go out; which triggered a limp home mode: stranding me on side of road
Brought car into Chevrolet dealership for intermittent “miss” when driving. Dealer diagnosed it needed an EGR valve replaced at a cost of around $4,000.00 which is a significant portion of the cars value.
Failure of Battery Energy Control Module (BECM), within the high voltage battery. Vehicle is unable to charge and sets “reduced power” message. GM released special coverage bulletin for this issue (N232432680), but this vehicle is not listed due to which state it was registered. Continued failure of the BECM will lead to inoperability of the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start while parked. The check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair would be at the owner's expense. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed or while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was unexpectedly illuminated. Additionally, there were several error codes provided through the Mobile App for engine-related failures. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
Coolant was found inside the Lithium-Ion battery module when the dealership opened it to repair a different issue. They condemned the battery on the spot. There was no damage to the battery module. All PMs were performed at Chevrolet dealerships throughout the life of the car. All recalls were fixed. Including the BECM replacement the car is known have problems with. Car had 127,000 miles on it. One of the service reps even admited that he's seen it on multiple cars and that it is a manufacturing problem. Dealership said the repair is $29,000. The car was $35000 new 10 years ago. Thank God there was no fire, I drove my family around in that car for years. The dealership won't even let me see the diagnosis report online anymore...
Three separate high-voltage battery section failures within one year, each causing complete loss of propulsion. Two occurred at freeway speeds on [XXX]. FAILURE 1 ([XXX]): Vehicle lost propulsion. Dealer diagnosed DTC P0AFA (low voltage), failed cell in Battery Section 3. Section 3 replaced under GM Special Coverage N232432680 (BECM, 15yr/150k). Vehicle out of service approximately six months awaiting GM authorization and parts. FAILURE 2 ([XXX]): Vehicle lost propulsion on [XXX] at night at freeway speeds. Required towing. Dealer diagnosed DTC P0AFA, Cell 85 at 1.85V in Battery Section 1 (different section). Section 1 replaced under same Special Coverage. Vehicle returned Jan 28, 2026. FAILURE 3 ([XXX], ~300 miles after Failure 2 repair): Vehicle again lost propulsion on the freeway with check engine light, then progressed to no-start condition. Towed to dealer. Diagnosed Feb 20, 2026: DTC P0AFA, Cell 57 at 1.5V in Battery Section 2 (GM minimum spec 2.5V). Third distinct section failure. Vehicle remains at dealer awaiting GM repair authorization as of filing date. SAFETY CONCERN: Loss of propulsion at freeway speeds is an immediate safety hazard. During the Nov 2025 event, the vehicle lost power on [XXX] at night in active traffic. The progressive failure pattern (three different sections failing sequentially in the same pack, identical DTC) suggests a systemic defect rather than isolated component failures. Prior section replacements have not resolved the underlying problem
I am reporting a series of safety concerns regarding my 2017 Chevy Volt, which have persisted despite multiple attempts to address them with the dealership. These issues pose significant risks to my safety and that of others on the road. On January 18th, 2024, I brought my vehicle to the dealer after experiencing reduced propulsion power while driving on the highway, coupled with the illumination of the check engine light. The mechanic performed a quick inspection and used a GM scan tool to diagnose the issue, revealing the code P1E00 for the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2, which was cleared without a thorough investigation. I was advised to return if the issue reoccurred. Despite the reset, the problem persisted, and on February 9th, 2024, I scheduled another appointment due to my Chevy Volt's High Voltage battery charging only to 65% capacity despite indicating a full charge. Subsequently, on February 11th, 2024, the check engine light illuminated again, and on February 12th, 2024, November 25th, 2025, January 11th, 2026, and February 12, 2026 while driving to work, both times I experienced a loss of propulsion power on the highway, placing my safety at risk and lost all power in a traveling lane of traffic. These ongoing issues with propulsion power and the high-voltage battery charging system are not only inconvenient but also potentially dangerous. Despite multiple visits to the dealership and attempts to diagnose and resolve the problem, it persists, indicating a sy
Several years ago, when I was driving the vehicle, I got a sudden "reduced propulsion alert" and the onboard coolant temperature gauge showed a significant spike in temperature. To avoid overheating, I had to pull over on the side of the highway. In the onboard fuse box, there was a blown F3 fuse. I replaced the fuse and the same issue happened again last year. After some online research, it is clear that the EGR valve failed. Unplugging the valve and replacing the fuse has returned the vehicle to normal operations, but it's now out of compliance with local emissions regulations. GM has failed to properly produce replacement parts. As of Feb 11, 2026, a local GM dealer in Bloomington, IN quoted a backorder and unclear wait time on a replacement part and quoted me at $2,000+ just for the part. If not for my quick thinking, this part failure could have overheated my vehicle causing extensive damages. GM has failed to produce enough replacement parts and given the safety issues associated with a blown fuse and overheating, NHTSA should order a recall on this part and force GM to replace the parts for owners. This is a widespread problem documented among Volt owners, and the only stopgap issue is to drive the vehicle out of compliance with local emissions rules.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the message stating that the propulsion was reduced was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle, and the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact arrived at the destination and parked the vehicle, and the message “Shift to Park” was displayed even though the gear shifter was in park(P). The message “Charging Unavailable” was displayed. The contact stated that while charging the vehicle, the mileage was reduced from 72 miles to approximately 29 miles during the winter months, and 42 miles during the summer months, while still indicating a FULL charge. The “Shift to Park” failure had occurred twice the previous year, and the vehicle was turned off and restarted to correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the hybrid power train control module had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the website, and a case was filed; however, a representative was not reached. The failure mileage was approximately 26,500.
There is a ongoing problem with the BECM on 2016-2018 volts. Mine is one of them. Contacted Chevrolet and they say my vin isn’t under the extended coverage. I believe it should be and can’t stand they won’t cover my car under warranty. Is there anything you can do?
My car started having issues with the hybrid system, with fault alerts related to the drive motor control module, hybrid powertrain control module, and battery energy control module in the transmission, and the vehicle is available for inspection if needed. The engine light had been on for about a week, and I was waiting for availability at work to take it to a mechanic. While driving around 70 mph on the highway, a “Propulsion Power Reduced” message suddenly came on and the car started limiting its speed. As I kept driving, the power continued to drop, making it unsafe to stay at highway speeds and putting both me and other drivers at risk since the car couldn’t keep up with traffic and could slow down unexpectedly. I took it to an independent mechanic who confirmed the issue and warned me it was dangerous to drive because the speed would keep decreasing as power dropped. So far, only an independent mechanic has inspected it. After doing some research, I found this is a very common problem with 2016–2018 Chevy Volts, with many people reporting similar situations where their cars lost power or started jerking at high speeds and they had to pull over.
My 2017 Chevy Volt stalled, wont charge, safely concerns. safety-related special coverage is being denied by local Chevy dealer. Check Engine light codes U2603-06, U2623, well known issue in chevy volt community, that points to Chevy faulty BECM. Chevy replace these to some selected 2016-2018 vehicles, but they wont cover mine, while I have same exact issue. Please help to push on Chevy to cover all 2016-2018 Chevy Volt by recalls repairs with no cost to owner. thanks
I am reporting a series of safety concerns regarding my 2017 Chevy Volt, which have persisted despite multiple attempts to address them with the dealership. These issues pose significant risks to my safety and that of others on the road. On January 18th, 2024, I brought my vehicle to the dealer after experiencing reduced propulsion power while driving on the highway, coupled with the illumination of the check engine light. The mechanic performed a quick inspection and used a GM scan tool to diagnose the issue, revealing the code P1E00 for the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2, which was cleared without a thorough investigation. I was advised to return if the issue reoccurred. Despite the reset, the problem persisted, and on February 9th, 2024, I scheduled another appointment due to my Chevy Volt's High Voltage battery charging only to 65% capacity despite indicating a full charge. Subsequently, on February 11th, 2024, the check engine light illuminated again, and on February 12th, 2024, November 25th, 2025, and January 11th, 2026, while driving to work, both times I experienced a loss of propulsion power on the highway, placing my safety at risk and lost all power in a traveling lane of traffic. These ongoing issues with propulsion power and the high-voltage battery charging system are not only inconvenient but also potentially dangerous. Despite multiple visits to the dealership and attempts to diagnose and resolve the problem, it persists, indicating a systemic issue that
Experiencing intermittent propulsion system failure with multiple simultaneous warning messages on 2017 Chevrolet Volt at approximately 59,000 miles. WARNINGS DISPLAYED: - "Propulsion Power Reduced" message - "Check Tire Pressure Monitoring System" (false alert - all tires properly inflated and recently replaced) - Multiple dashboard warning lights including exclamation point indicators - Vehicle exhibits abnormal driving characteristics PATTERN: Issue occurs intermittently while driving. Vehicle can be restarted and may operate normally afterward, then fault returns unpredictably. SAFETY CONCERN: This matches documented Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) failure pattern referenced in GM investigation N232432680/PE23022 and Customer Satisfaction Program 17228 recall N172096420 for reduced propulsion power in 2016-2018 Volts. Review of owner complaints shows other 2017 Volt owners experiencing sudden complete loss of propulsion while driving at highway speeds, creating dangerous situations requiring evasive action by other drivers. RISK: Loss of propulsion power while driving with dependent passengers creates serious crash risk. Vehicle is used for daily transportation of minor children. REQUEST: Vehicle exhibits known defect pattern but manufacturer has not extended recall coverage. Request investigation into whether recall should be expanded to cover additional affected vehicles.
Following a day trip involving sub-freezing temperatures and full depletion of the traction battery, the vehicle was plugged in at home and appeared to be charging. The following morning, I enable the preheat via the remote before leaving the house for work, and notice the CEL/MIL before starting the car. Car was cold, charging indicator was flashing green as if it was accepting charge. I went to investigate and was met with the following list of codes: P1E00, U2603, U2604-U2606, U2617-U2624, P1FD2, P1FD3, P3042, C326C, P0096. Car turns on but seems to only be accessories; no power steering. Seems like the state of charge indication kept transitioning from empty to full. I unplugged the car to see if it could still drive, but no luck. getting "Shift to Park" when I put it in drive. Switching to HOLD does not engage the engine. After plugging it in again, the car no longer receives charge and simply holds the orange charge indicator light. In an attempt to get the car into limp mode, I tried clearing the codes, but no luck. After reading the codes again in the afternoon, the following codes posted: P1E00, U2622, U2623, P1FD4, P0AFA. These codes and behavior are consistent with the following NTSB service documents, which call for the replacement of the BECM: Special Coverage N232432680 Technical Service Bulletin 18-NA-261 However, the vehicle in question does not appear to be one of the 19,000 vehicles covered under the special coverage, per GM’s warranty look-up. The vehicle h
The BECM (Battery Energy Control Module) failed. The vehicle illuminated the MIL and the driver display to show a "Reduced power". When restarted, the display showed "shift to park", which I did several times. After a couple of restarts it displayed the "Reduced power" message, but would not go into drive. THE MIL was illuminated the entire time. Through numerous key cycles I got the VIN operable and took it to the dealer for repair. The BECM part is at the dealer or on its way back to GM as a core return. While this occurred while I was leaving my garage, it could have occurred in traffic, which would put me or others at risk. The problem was investigated by my local dealer (Currie Chevrolet in Forest Park, IL) and it was determined to be both a bad Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) and a bad shifter assembly. The shifter had been replaced (or repaired?) for an earlier Shift to Park failure per TSB 23-NA-119. The dealer kept the BECM as a core. I have pictures of the core. The dealer or GM should have that core. The above described warning lamps and messages and systems first appeared at the time of the event that lead me to take it other dealer ASAP. Note the condition and model year is described in GM special coverage letter "N232432680 Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction". NHTSA investigation PE23022 lead to this coverage letter. Per GM, while my vehicle experienced the conditions and is in the model year coverage of the letter, its VIN is not covered. I think NH
On 10/14, I was driving the car to my job, when the car suddenly switched from its electric battery power to its internal combustion engine. The vehicle's information screen only showed that the battery was unavailable. I was able to operate the car on only the internal combustion engine to arrive at work. However, when I went to leave several hours later, the car would not start. The car was towed to a dealership and apparently repaired after about a week. However, the repair, a software reset, did not fixt the underlying issues, and on 10/27, after having the car for five days, the car again failed on my way to work, displaying a "Shift to Park" message and not starting. I towed the car to the same dealership, and they had it until 11/04. I recovered my car and drove it again to work that same day, but the car failed again due to the dealership not correctly diagnosing the issue, which appears to be the BECM, a failure related to bulletin N232432680. Due to this issue, I was left stranded on a busy highway for several hours on multiple occasions, and have not have a working vehicle since 10/14, meaning I have had to call off of work on multiple days, losing non-trivial amounts of income and undue economic hardship, due to this issue. Neither the dealership nor General Motors have offered any kind of help or support, and have generally attempted to avoid responding to my repeated phonecalls. Prior to this issue, there were no warnings or symptoms that I observed.
My 2017 Chevy Volt is having Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) issues. I receive the occasional error message of "propulsion is reduced" and engine fault codes of P1E00, U2619, U2620, U2621, U2622, U2623, and U2624. GM issued a Special Coverage bulletin (N232432680) extending the warranty for the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) on 2016-2018 Chevy Volts to 15 years/150,000 miles. My Chevy Volt is within this year and mileage range, but for some reason my Chevy Volt VIN is not included in this Special Coverage (N232432680), which means that this special coverage for some reason doesn't apply to my 2017 Chevy Volt, even though it has the same issue. Is there a way that my 2017 Chevy Volt VIN can be added to this Special Coverage bulletin (N232432680) so that I can get warranty repairs? Thank you.
I was driving in stop and go traffic on a relatively busy road when I was cut off. I braked hard to avoid a collision. Immediately afterwards, the car would not respond to the accelerator and would not go forward. I was in the middle of the road and the car would not respond. It could have caused an accident. I put the car into park and then back into drive and it seemed to work again. But I am now worried about the car.
The engine light starts blinking and telling me propulsion power reduced, and then I cannot use the cruise control after that turns on, and it starts losing power, driving on I 70 after work all of a sudden it turned on and wet from going 76 miles an hour to 52 on highway I 70 where the speed limit was 75. This problem was a recall problem which was fixed and now is happening again on the same part and having the same problems.
I am reporting a series of safety concerns regarding my 2017 Chevy Volt, which have persisted despite multiple attempts to address them with the dealership. These issues pose significant risks to my safety and that of others on the road. On January 18th, 2024, I brought my vehicle to the dealer after experiencing reduced propulsion power while driving on the highway, coupled with the illumination of the check engine light. The mechanic performed a quick inspection and used a GM scan tool to diagnose the issue, revealing the code P1E00 for the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2, which was cleared without a thorough investigation. I was advised to return if the issue reoccurred. Despite the reset, the problem persisted, and on February 9th, 2024, I scheduled another appointment due to my Chevy Volt's High Voltage battery charging only to 65% capacity despite indicating a full charge. Subsequently, on February 11th, 2024, the check engine light illuminated again, and on February 12th, 2024 and again on November 25th, 2025, while driving to work, both times I experienced a loss of propulsion power on the highway, placing my safety at risk and lost all power in a traveling lane of traffic. These ongoing issues with propulsion power and the high-voltage battery charging system are not only inconvenient but also potentially dangerous. Despite multiple visits to the dealership and attempts to diagnose and resolve the problem, it persists, indicating a systemic issue that requires imm
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt D2. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the vehicle on the vehicle did not start. The contact stated that vehicle restarted after an hour. The contact stated the during the second occasion the vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the Battery energy control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The vehicle losses power at times. Will not take a charge. It states it is in reduced power mode. It appears to be the becm however my vin is not reported to be on the special coverage.
The high-voltage heater control module (also known as the PTC coolant heater / K10 heater module) has failed. This component controls cabin heat and windshield defrost when the vehicle operates in electric mode. The authorized Chevrolet dealer diagnosed the issue, confirmed the failure, and attempted to order the correct GM part. GM informed the dealer that the part is no longer manufactured or available through GM channels. As a result, there is currently no GM-approved repair path. This failure prevents the vehicle from providing windshield defrost while operating in EV mode, which is required for safe winter visibility. I live in New Hampshire, where winter temperatures routinely require functioning cabin heat and defrost for safe operation and compliance with state visibility laws. Because this is a high-voltage thermal management component, there is no safe aftermarket repair option. The inability to obtain an OEM replacement part for a safety-related system prevents the vehicle from operating safely in intended EV mode.
The BECM failed, engine light on, car is at reduced power or doesn't run at all. A message states that there are no EV miles available when it is full to to place the shifter into park. There is a free extended warranty for it (XXX- Special Coverage--Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction - ) but my Chevrolet dealership in Wenatchee, Washington says that it's not covered. I want to know why they said this. I have been stranded without an operable car, unable to get to and from work. If I don't go to work, I can't pay my mortgage. I don't have another car to drive or the means to rent one. It needs to be towed 90 miles to a dealership which that price will be astronomical on my poverty level income. I have cancer and need to get to my treatments. The cost to replace the BECM is $2100-$3000 out of pocket not including towing. The error code was read as a failed BECM by a diagnostic reader and it's having all the symptoms of a failed BECM. It has the following code: P1E00 $07E8Pd Initial symptoms in the prior week before the car wouldn't operate, was that I got a message to put the car into park when it was already in park. Sometimes the display wouldn't work. Sometimes the heater wouldn't turn on in the preceding 2 months. GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS DCS6812 URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY reads that 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volt models are covered. I've attached this letter.
Approximately 3.5 weeks ago my 2017 Chevrolet Volt (105K miles) would not start and then, when it did, was in "Reduced Power Mode". I had to drive home 25+ miles in this low power mode. I brought to my local mechanic (not a Chevrolet dealership) first. They did a diagnostic and told me the issue was "Battery Energy Control Module" - a known issue in 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts affecting 19,000 vehicles for Chevrolet provided extended warranty coverage for up to 15 years/150,000 miles. See Special Coverage N232432680. I was not able to get an appointment for 9 days at the Chevrolet dealership in Oxford PA. The vehicle needed to be towed there because it wouldn't start. Chevrolet dealership said it was not the Battery Energy Control Module but rather the 12V battery. They replaced battery, I picked up vehicle and paid $525+ for diagnostic and new battery. By the next day, the vehicle wouldn't start again. I brought the vehicle back and they did diagnostic again and this time determined it WAS the Battery Energy Control Module. Dealership said Chevrolet has not included your VIN in the Special Coverage and didn't know why not. I called Chevrolet/GM customer service (800-222-1020) and spoke with two people including an escalation supervisor and both said the VIN for my vehicle was not included because it was determined that would not be part of the Special Coverage they've offered. We went round and round and no one will give an answer as to why there is a KNOWN issue for 2016-2018
Vehicle propulsion system failed. According to Chevy dealer the Battery Energy Control Module and A/T Control Park Switch and harness failed. Warning lights came on when the failure happened. Failure happened just past the extended 150k mile warranty. But car in only 8 years old.
EGR valve and EGR cooler failure. Engine power was reduced and EGR fuse kept blowing. Has code for EGR flow failure/restriction. Check engine light remains on even when reset
My EGR system caused a check engine light. P0401 This is an extremely well documented issue on Gen2 Volts, especially 2017 models. Simply searching "EGR" on the Volt subreddit or forums returns hundreds of related threads. This issue can lead to a clogged EGR valve, causing further damage. A temporary resolution is unplugging the EGR valve, which i have not yet done. But this leaves the CEL illuminated, and without daily scanner, I wouls not know if other issues arise, causing a significant safety hazard.
While driving my Chevy Volt lost power as it disconnected from a full charged battery to gas as the check engine light lit on. The car would then hesitate after stopping at a light/stop sign, losing and regaining power as it gained momentum (which was very dangerous), and would no longer charge. The issue was confirmed by Sun Devil auto repair (diagnosis attached) that this was a known issue with Chevy Volts 2016-2018 and would be covered. I was advised that my VIN was not covered and paid Freeway Chevrolet $2,301.62 (invoice attached with BECM replacement) and would like to be reimbursed. The Chevy Volt's Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) warranty was extended by GM to 15 years or 150,000 miles, from its original 8-year/100,000-mile Volt Component coverage, for 2016-2018 models. This Special Coverage N232432680 addresses potential BECM malfunctions causing reduced power, no start, or no charge conditions. Details of the Extension •Coverage: 15 years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first) from the vehicle's original in-service date. •Affected Models: Chevrolet Volt models from the 2016, 2017, and 2018 model years. •Purpose: To cover issues with the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) that can lead to reduced power, no-start, or no-charge conditions. I contacted Chevy and they recommended I file a complaint since they could not help me or explain why my make/model/year fits the criteria of a known issue and would not be covered.
EGR Valve failed in this vehicle <55,000 miles. The EGR valve has an electronic component that, when fails, can cause the car to shut down by blowing the "walk home" fuse. This is a safety issue. This is a well documented problem (internet) and Chevrolet refuses to fix it, leaving the owners with an expensive replacement quoted at $3900 (Sept 2025). Recommend that it be covered by the emissions warranty, which was recently extended to 150,000 miles and 8 years for other problematic emissions components. An electric vehicle that cannot be driven because an EGR valve is faulty - it's a joke.
Thousands of 2014-2017 Chevy Volt owners are having issues where the EGR Valve malfunctions and the engine shuts down. The Volt's EGR valve can cause the car to shut down by blowing the "walk home" fuse. This is a safety issue. In many cases cars are in the shop for months because the part is on "backorder". That's my situation-- dealer just told me it's a $2800 repair job, but the part is on "backorder". The car only has 49K miles. Many threads on reddit with hundreds of comments / upvotes: [XXX] / [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Complaints 1-50 of 703, newest first, reproduced as filed.
2017 Chevrolet Volt: questions buyers ask
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Volt a good car?
Going by the federal record, it is one of the Volt years to avoid: owners filed 703 complaints, 4.1 times as many as a typical Volt year. The most common complaint is about the electrical system (35%). In NHTSA crash tests it scored 5 stars overall.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
The electrical system: 243 of the 703 complaints (35%) are about it. Owners most often say it loses power (18%), turns on the check engine light (18%) and sets off warning lights on the dash (15%). The typical report comes at 39,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Volt problems start?
Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 36,436 miles. For the electrical system the midpoint is 39,000 miles.
Has NHTSA investigated the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
Yes, 2 times. The latest, PE23022 ("Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module"), was opened Nov 29, 2023 and closed Mar 3, 2025.
Are there service bulletins for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
The manufacturer filed 1,172 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the electrical system (249), the engine (124) and the transmission (80). They include a service campaign, General Communication, filed Aug 26, 2024. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.
Reading this record
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.