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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,838 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.

2017 Chevrolet Volt drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2017 Chevrolet Volt Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #180

Aug 142024

Volt

  • miles

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

Vehicle began exhibiting issues with BECM, reduced propulsion/limp home mode with range-extender activation. Car unexpectedly stopped running in the middle of the road, came to a complete stop and unable to move off road under car's propulsion.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #179

Jul 132024

Volt

  • miles
Purchased the '17 Chevy Volt for my Daughter on [XXX] with 58,867 miles. On [XXX], 60,600 miles; She was driving on the interstate when the engine temperature spiked, followed by a check engine light and a warning message: "Engine unavailable." The vehicle suddenly lost power when she reduced pressure on the accelerator, causing a rapid reduction in speed. nearly causing her to lose control. The vehicle's OBD Codes were scanned at a nearby auto parts store resulting in 30 DTC appearing. I found hundreds of complaints and posts about the F3UA fuse blown and a faulty EGR valve. A service bulletin for this issue was published by GM in Feb 2023. I notified the dealership of the issues and the vehicle was brought to Deacon Jones Chevy of Clinton, NC on July 16th. The service department informed me that the 12V Battery was bad and needed replacement to "correct" the issue, at a cost nearly $550. I asked if the fuse mentioned was blown and was informed that it was not. The check engine light was cleared and my daughter drove home. Before getting home, the check engine light came back on, the temperature spiked, and "propulsion power is reduced." message appeared. This was accompanied again by a rapid reduction in speed nearly causing a collision. I called the dealership back and informed them of the incident. They requested to have the vehicle brought back to the shop, however, towing was out of the question because the dealership is 70 miles from me & I did not want to drive the car in its condition. I took the vehicle to Team Chevy in Swansboro, NC, who ran proper diagnostics. I was informed the F3UA fuse was blown, caused by a short in the EGR Valve. The original dealer offered to split the cost, but Team Chevy said they could get the part & match price. When ordered, it showed the EGR Valve was backorder with no ETA. 6 weeks in and no safe transportation for my daughter and grandson. Significant safety issue with no replacement parts or accountability, ludicrous. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

problem #178

Aug 312024

Volt

  • miles
EGR valve/cooler fails and makes engine coolant temperature climb above normal operation, leaving you stranded on the side of the road (engine shuts down). I still had battery miles available to pull to the side safely. This is a common issue for these vehicles and GM has not issued a recall or warranty extension for this item like the BECM issue.

- Brownstown, MI, USA

problem #177

Aug 112024

Volt

  • miles

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

While driving, a warning message came on: "Engine unavailable." I was able to drive a few more blocks but then the car stopped on its own. This happened despite the fact that the car had almost a full tank of gas. If this had happened on the highway, it would have been very dangerous. Luckily, I was on a fairly empty city street and I simply pulled to the curb. This is a known problem with the Chevy Volt (2017). An independent service center confirmed that the original problem is that the EGR valve needs replacing. When this is an issue, a fuse often blows and this fuse stops the car from moving. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance rep or others. There was a message that came on a few days before the incident that said "propulsion power is reduced." An independent service center said the EGR valve needs to be replaced. There are no EGR valves available; they have been on back order for months. I have an appointment with the Chevy dealer for next week, so they can confirm the EGR valve needs replacing and I can get on their waitlist to receive an EGR valve. This is expected to take 6-12 months or possibly longer. In the meantime, I can drive the car on electric charge but am supposed to avoid engaging the ICE engine. If I end up running out of electric charge, I am at risk of once again having the fuse blow and the car failing to move forward. This is ridiculous. Why is GM/Chevy not required to provide parts in a timely manner to existing customers to make sure their cars run safely? I am definitely not the only Volt owner experiencing this issue -- there are many people online complaining about the same issue. All of us risk a situation of the car stopping to run at any time.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #176

Aug 052024

Volt

  • miles
While making a 90 mile drive on 7/20, after having depleted the primary battery charge and switched to hybrid mode, a "propulsion power is reduced" warning appeared on the console, along with the Check Engine Light. Other than somewhat reduced power (max displayed of ~40-50 kW), performance otherwise seemed unimpeded. Contacted local dealership to schedule service for earliest available date of 7/26. Car made return 90 mile trip on 7/21 without issue additional issue ("propulsion power is reduced" message remained.) Service identified "numerous codes", but replaced a fuse known to result in the above issue and observed no other issues. Car was driven purely on battery at that time, and for the intervening time until a 170 mile drive on 8/2, where the message and Check Engine Light reappeared, again after battery charge was consumed and car switched to hybrid power mode. Dealership was again contacted to schedule service, slated for the morning of 8/7 (tomorrow, as of this writing). Car reached its destination without further incident. During return 170 mile trip on 8/5, traveling on the highway, car abruptly alerted that the engine was no longer available and entered a severely reduced-power mode. Car had been operating in "mountain mode" (conserving some extra battery charge) as a precaution, so we were able safely exit the highway and pull into a local parking lot, at which point AAA was contacted to tow the car the remaining 120 miles home. Upon arriving home, the car was able to pull into the garage without the "engine not available" alert, but still displaying Check Engine Light and "propulsion power reduced" messages. We have come to understand this is a fairly common issue with Generation II Volts and have been advised by other owners to file this report.

- West Bridgewater, MA, USA

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problem #175

Jun 292024

Volt

  • miles
Driving at highway speeds, check engine light came on with a warning of "reduced propulsion power" and sudden loss of speed in heavy traffic. Dealer diagnosed issue as failed EGR valve but is unable to source repair part due to frequency of failure causing years-long backorder.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #174

Oct 042023

Volt

  • miles

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

check engine light has been on since Oct of 2023 due to needing EGR valve. Dealership placed order for part number 12691147 in Oct and says it has been on backorder from GM with no estimated delivery date. I just placed an order for the same part via GM parts center. Again, says on backorder. Is there anyway to get a hold of GM parts to escalate getting this? We cannot get the car inspected with this issue and are worried about the safety of the car.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #173

May 012023

Volt

  • miles
Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) loss of power or reduced power mode occurred came with little to no warning. Hybrid battery wouldn-??t accept a charge in its battery.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #172

Apr 262024

Volt

  • miles
Driving at highway speed car would slow down on its own and go into "Reduced Propulsion Mode"

- Port Clinton, OH, USA

problem #171

Sep 012023

Volt

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power, after which a message displayed, "Propulsion Power Reduced". There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the drivetrain fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

problem #170

Dec 082023

Volt

  • miles

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

On [XXX] while traveling at highway speed my Chevrolet volt abruptly lost propulsion and an alert was displayed to pull over and turn car off. I was on [XXX] in California a 4 lane highway forced to cross 3 lanes of traffic at an exceptionally slow speed in heavy traffic. It is a miracle a crash did not occur. Fortunately other drivers were aware and able to stop or quickly change lanes. AAA towed directly to Stewart Chevrolet in Colma Ca. It was diagnosed and I was advised it is under warranty HOWEVER parts are on back order. Today [XXX] ~ the car still has not been repaired and I have been advised parts will not ship until September 2024. This is both dangerous and unacceptable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #169

Mar 012024

Volt

  • miles
My car is lurching very dramatically while on battery-only. Especially over 35-40 miles an hour. I was run off the road last week and am becoming fearful for my safety in this car. I have heard that there may be something wrong with the battery or. BECM.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #168

Jul 142023

Volt

  • miles
The EGR valve had failed, causing a check engine light, which turned into a blown fuse. The fuse blowing left the vehicle stranded until I unplugged the EGR valve and replaced the fuse. I drove it to a shop, where they replaced the valve and the car has been functional since then.

- Lowell, MA, USA

problem #167

Feb 132024

Volt

  • miles
I am writing to report 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 Provo Utah Chevrolet 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. However, upon arriving for the appointment at 4:00 PM, I was informed that the hybrid mechanic had left for the day, and I was asked to return on another day. Subsequently, on February 11th, 2024, the check engine light illuminated again, and on February 12th, 2024, while driving to work, I experienced a loss of propulsion power on the highway, placing my safety at risk. 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 immediate attention. I urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate this matter thoroughly to ensure the safety of Chevy Volt drivers and passengers. It is imperative that General Motors addresses these issues promptly and implements appropriate measures to prevent further incidents.

- Vineyard, UT, USA

problem #166

Feb 062024

Volt

  • miles
Was driving home from work and my car just stopped check engine light came one the engine came on but then went off and i was stranded my issurance came threw with a tow but from all good to a complete stop sucks

- Portland, MI, USA

problem #165

Jan 072023

Volt

  • miles
Car would not start, lose power, or show propulsion reduced message. This seemed to have been an ongoing issue related to cold weather (bought in July 2019) and would occasionally get temporary check engine lights. Dec 2022 and Jan 2023 cold weather seemed to aggravate w car no starting on occasion. Eventually by January car started propulsion reduced error. Turned out to be BECM (which had been under service bulletin in 2019). Other related repairs like shift to park issue and drained 12 volt battery also repaired at MY personal cost of nearly $4,000. The propulsion issue almost led to some accidents when it would happen pulling into road or on highway driving.

- Portsmouth, NH, USA

problem #164

Jan 202024

Volt

  • miles
BECM failure on car confirmed at 128,000 miles. While driving the car's check engine light came on; immediately followed by a message of reduced propulsion and the EV range dropping to 0. Vehicle switched to gas and ran very rough for a short distance to an available stop. Have been informed by dealership that the vehicle is now unsafe for driving due to a potential stall.

- Newberry, SC, USA

problem #163

Jan 202024

Volt

  • miles
My vehicle shut down in the middle of the road. GM diagnosed it as a faulty BECM.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

problem #162

Jul 042023

Volt

  • miles
same issue as PE23022 and TSB 18-NA-261 Called 51 parts wharehouses and Chevy dealers to locate part. They all report the same: part is not available and no idea when it will be come available. vehicle is not mobile without working part. Vehicle has lost propulsion while driving. Twice I was lucky no one was behind or on the side of me that I could pull off to the side of the road or a parking lot.

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #161

Dec 182023

Volt

  • miles
1 month ago was driving on toll and Population power is reduced came on, vehicle was reaving high and felt like power was being reduced/speed, was going 70 and had to immediately decrease speed and get off toll and found closest Chevy shop. Looked at dash and vehicle should have had at least 10 energy miles but it had immediately dropped down to 0. Before taking to Chevy, I had a quick inspection done by a Valvoline shop and they told me the battery had to be replaced. Carvana (Silverrock) warranty refused to do the repair under their coverages as -??batteries were not covered under warranty-?? Had it towed from Valvoline to Chevy. Found out Chevy battery was under warranty so it was taken there. Vehicle was checked in and didn-??t have an eta as hybrid battery was on back order with no ETA. 3 weeks later the part was received and it was a control module not a battery as the -??battery was not failing at the time-??. Service called and said vehicle was ready for pick up. Had vehicle for 1 week and was at work starting it up and after 9 hours sitting started it up and low population came back on and vehicle started idling higher than before then after a minute looked at back of car and a large cloud of while smoke started forming from back of vehicle. Immediately turned off car and called gmc roadside assistance to have vehicle towed to another dealership where is it sitting again for diagnosis with no eta.

- Frisco, TX, USA

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