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5.5

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,427 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Chevrolet Volt electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Chevrolet Volt Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #50

Jun 262024

Volt

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The BECM has failed and causes a reduction in engine power. There is a Special Coverage N232432680 for this issue. Dealership Service Center is saying my car doesn-??t qualify based on the VIN, even though it matches the year, make, and model on the Special Coverage. GM is failing to cover the issue despite it matching everything on the Special Coverage.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #49

Jul 212023

Volt

  • miles
I was driving in clear weather (with my ICE engine as propulsion) when an Engine Warning Fault light appeared on my dash and the vehicle slowed to 5mph with no response from the throttle pedal. I pulled into a parking lot, had the vehicle towed to an independent service shop, and had them check the codes. There were a dozen faults stored, but they found the 'Non Walk Home' fuse had blown, and faults pointed to the EGR Valve as having faulty electronics. They could not find an EGR valve for sale so they unplugged the EGR Valve and replaced the fuse, which allowed the engine to drive normally again, but with the Check Engine Light on at all times. I called my local Chevy dealer and they told me the EGR I needed was Part Number 12691147 for $243, but they were backordered and there were dozens of people in front of me for their dealer alone. Now, 11 months later, I'm still waiting on the part, I have found hundreds of other Volt owners online with the same issue, and the Part Number has been changed by GM to 19436113, with a price increase of 1100% to $2642. And the part is still not available because of "high demand" on a car that was discontinued five years ago.

- Gregory, MI, USA

problem #48

May 242024

Volt

  • miles
Started vehicle with > 50mi on the EV-range. Pulled out onto road, stopped at red light. Now showed 0mi and refused to move when pressing the gas (did not fail over to gas on series PHEV) Garbage truck coming up behind me had to swerve to avoid rear-ending me as I was frantically trying to start the car. Kept saying 'shift to park' (condition required to start the vehicle) Took several minutes and 20+ tries before I got it to start (GAS engine) and was able to proceed. Car keeps randomly dropping to 0mi EV range. Has refused ot start on occasion. All symptoms align with the N232432680 bulletin but GM saying my car isn't covered"?"

- Saline, MI, USA

problem #47

May 202024

Volt

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought the car new in 2015 and after about only 40,000 miles I began getting a Propulsion Reduced error and the car would have very slow acceleration. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the accelerator for $500. It drove fine for a month, but then the acceleration was reduced again. I took it back to the dealer and they were stumped. They wanted to charge me $1300 just to replace some wires, but they weren't confident that would fix the problem. I declined. As it stands now I can toggle the F08 fuse and that temporarily fixes it for about an hour or so, but the error always comes back and the car has a hard time accelerating. Not safe. I called GM and they suggest I take it to another Chevrolet dealer, so I'm going to do that. I'm also going to reference NHSTA Special Coverage N232432680 Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction to see if they can replace the BECM. This is a common problem with 2016 Chevy Volts. If they can't fix it, I'll look into the California Lemon Law to see if I can get my money back on the car. I appreciate your support on this.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #46

Apr 242024

Volt

  • miles
The car states the battery will not charge and cannot move the car. I connected it to a code reader with the following codes showing: P1E00 U2618 U2606 U2605 U2617 U2604

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #45

Mar 132024

Volt

  • miles
This vehicle has been intermittently displaying shift to park, reduced propulsion and loss of power. Chevrolet will not address its problems utilizing the March 6, 2024 service bulletin that covers this model year despite it exhibiting these dangerous warnings and reduced power and stoppage. Please help!

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #44

Mar 142024

Volt

  • 44,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the battery was fully charged; however, the mileage range went to 0. The contact stated that the fuel system engaged, and he drove to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic control module (ECM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to GM Campaign Number: N232432680; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the vehicle had a Salvage Title. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #43

Mar 082024

Volt

  • miles
Chevy has put out a "special coverage" (number XXX) on 2016 to 2018 volts on the BECM issue that is currently being investigated. I need to make the note that upon trying to fulfill this warranty/ special coverage on my 2016 volt, they are finding loopholes to not cover a huge handful of 2016 to 2018 volts that have the exact same BECM issue and components as the volts that are covered. Although I'm not positive, it seems to me that they are not granting special coverage to all volts that have a PZEV warranty in place as it's redundant. However, 75% of us with PZEV warranties are in non CARB states and cannot utilize the warranty. So they are leaving us within this category who have the exact same BECM issues as every other 2016 to 2018 volt out of being eligible for the new coverage, while making it look like they are fixing the entire issue. They are secretly leaving a handful of us dry and without this coverage. Not only that, they are refusing/ unable to give me accurate information as to what vehicles qualify for this warranty if not all 2016 volts which is against the Magnuson-Moss warranty act and illegal on their part. They forced me to pay $2500 for this repair after telling me I would be covered by warranty and obviously would have held my car had I not paid. After telling me it was free. Somebody needs to probe deeper into this and make sure that Chevy is honoring what they claim because it appears to me they are secretly trying to [XXX] a percentage of 16 to 18 volt owners who have the exact same issues and components as the cars that are covered. This is a safety issue as my car died and temporarily stranded me several times before this repair as you guys already know is an issue with the 16 volts that Chevy has refused to acknowledge until recently. Chevy case number reference: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #42

Feb 252024

Volt

  • miles
I got the -??propulsion power is reduced-?? warning at ~83.5k miles on the odometer, while visiting friends 4 hours from home. Pulled over and called 3 local dealerships and all servicing departments are closed on Sunday so knew there was nothing I could do except try to limp back to my friends house safely and reevaluate. On the 20 minute drive back, the engine cut out on the freeway and the car immediately started slowing down. I coasted to the next freeway exit safely with my hazards on. The scary part was that I had no power after the -??engine unavailable-?? warning popped up since the battery was completely drained already. I was able to get it towed to the closest chevy dealership and leave the keys for them. I am waiting to hear the official diagnosis from the dealership once they take a look. The cause is still unknown but this sounds like a similar series of events for BECM failure.

- Downey, CA, USA

problem #41

Sep 232022

Volt

  • miles
Vehicle suddenly lost power and displayed shift to park on display. Vehicle will not respond or display any status other than shift to park. Vehicle towed to dealership. Diagnosis of their mechanic is failed BECM module. Vehicle was brought to dealership 3yrs ago with infotainment center problems. Infotainment Software was updated but problem persisted. 2 years ago it was brought to dealership with complaint of intermittent inability to charge propulsion battery. Sunshine Chevrolet stated their mechanic could not diagnose issue so it was not covered under warranty. I demonstrated intermittent charging issue by plugging vehicle into dealership charger in front of showroom. I was at that time allowed to leave without paying diagnostic charge. 1? years ago while car was still under warranty car failed to start. Called dealership. They stated it could be 12volt battery. I purchased and replaced battery at dealership. Car started but intermittent charging issue and intermittent infotainment issue continued. GM is refusing to cover BECM replacement saying Car is now out of 8yr warranty time frame.

- Asheville , NC, USA

problem #40

Jan 052024

Volt

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Check engine light on. Took to dealership and they have a bulletin that states they need to replace the Battery energy control module. The car can come to a complete stop without notice. I don't feel safe driving the car. Was told my voltec warranty ran out last July. This is going to cost me over $2000! And they knew about it. It's a defect in the car. Needs to be recalled!

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #39

Jul 262023

Volt

  • miles
I picked up my vehicle from Wasler Polar Chevrolet on 7/26/2023 after they claimed to have "repaired" my vehicle. After receiving my vehicle, about 5 miles away from the dealership, my vehicle suddenly quit keeping up with traffic, and lost* power equipment. Brakes, steering and acceleration were all unresponsive. The vehicle almost sent me under a semi-trailer, but I quickly forced the steering wheel to the left and engaged the emergency brake, which successfully stopped the car. The vehicle bricked itself, and had to be towed back to the dealership.

- New Hope, MN, USA

problem #38

Nov 292023

Volt

  • miles
While driving suddenly the battery power died (1/3 battery life left) and the ICE came on reving very high and check engine lights came on and vehicle slowed. Pulled over at first spot I could find and tired to restart the car. Car would not power down or restart the ice motor and the electric drive motors stopped working and vehicle would roll backwards once put into drive. Vehicle had to be towed back to dealership. Car would not power down or reset.

- Woodland Park, CO, USA

problem #37

Oct 042023

Volt

  • miles
Check engine light came on reduced propulsion warning. Took to Chevrolet dealer and they diagnosed EGR value failure while on road trip. Got home Took it to my local dealership and same diagnosed no part available and emissions warranty is good and it is covered but 2 year nationwide backorder by GM. The car only shows 47000 miles without parts I will not be able to use the vehicle after it fails the emissions test for Maryland.

- Fallston, MD, USA

problem #36

Dec 042023

Volt

  • miles
*BECM, Main Battery issue. It is available for inspection at the dealership would not start or move dealer, told they need to replace the main battery and BECM *Noticed the Engine warning light and Reduced Propulsion Power message Dealer updated the BECM, said it was ok to drive, With in the same day the same problem happened, back to dealer, now they say the entire main battery needs replacing. on 2 months left on Voltec warranty. $8,000 cost

- Howard, WI, USA

problem #35

Oct 122023

Volt

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle initially failed to shift into drive. After the vehicle was shifted into drive, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost significant motive power with the -??Low Propulsion Power-?? message displayed. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the battery energy control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #34

Oct 252023

Volt

  • miles
I had just left my house about to enter the on-ramp to Interstate 95 south when my 2016 Volt abruptly and without warning stopped. I was unable to coast or pull the car to the side of the road. I was in the middle of the lane in a dangerous place to stop a car and a dangerous place to get out of the car due to the steady traffic entering the interstate. My car would not restart and I had it towed to the Portsmouth NH Chevy dealer. As it was the beginning of the GM strike I had to wait several days for the replacement battery control sensor then I had to wait for another 4 weeks or so for a replacement transmission to be installed. The day after I got my car back, about 2 weeks ago, the transmission fluid was leaking onto the garage floor. The Chevy dealer has ordered new transmission hoses but only one has come in and I was told not to drive my car until these were replaced. The sensor pad and transmission were covered under warranty, I was told the hoses to the transmission and labor to install them are not part of the transmission and not covered. The incident has been extremely inconvenient but the way my car just abruptly stopped and wouldn-??t restart was very unnerving and could have been very dangerous. I do not have paperwork at the moment but can provide a dealer invoice of the covered work so far. Please contact me with any questions.

- Portsmouth, NH, USA

problem #33

Sep 262023

Volt

  • miles
Shift to park issue where suddenly I can't start car. Doesn't register park. Have to fiddle with shifter. Then find on reduced propulsion.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #32

Mar 122023

Volt

  • miles
Component: Dealer said its the BECM. Lots of them failing, check any Chevy Volt forum. What happened: Driving on road, battery drive turns off and it switches to gas engine, "reduced propulsion" message pops up, then gas engine quits and 'shift to park' message pops up. No electric motor, no gas engine, coasting, then stuck in road, traffic piling up behind me. After half-hour or so of blocking traffic and me trying to restart the car, electric eventually 'reset' and it worked fine again, so I drove it the several miles home, and the charging system connected fine. Next morning, charging system said it was broken, and car would not start. Towed to dealer. Safety risk: Both battery drive and gas engine turned fully off while traveling on road - no power, and steering/brakes hard to use. Luckily was in slow lane on local road near corner with traffic light, so others were 'prepared' to slow down, avoided my stopped car, and were able to get around. Prior Symptoms: Within the prior week, battery drive switched to gas engine with 'reduced propulsion' popup, but then it switched back to battery drive after stopping and restarting. Several times noticed the 'battery charge' indicator would change color and the estimated mileage remaining would bounce between 0 and 47.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #31

Jan 022023

Volt

  • miles
my forward proximity sensors would randomly trigger. One day my ambient air temperature went haywire, checked for codes and had high voltage reading ambient air, brake booster trouble. after further investigation found that the X100(female) connector had water intrusion causing shorts across the pins showing voltage to drop across other pins further sending false or incorrect signals to the computer. the connector was thoroughly cleaned and aired out. now wrapped intensively with a lot of electrical tape in hopes to prevent water from getting in and causing voltage that range from 5v-14v from shorting across terminals and causing false activation.

- Irvine, CA, USA

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