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.
On Dec 3, 2023 I got the message "Propulsion Power is Reduced" and the gas engine started even though there was about 53 miles left in the battery. I was able to continue on to my destination use the gas engine. On Dec 8, 2023 I drove the car to La Quinta Chevrolet and they diagnosed the problem as a failed BECM (Battery Energy Control Module). On Dec 11 I got the car back and was told the BECM is on backorder and there is no estimated delivery date. Also on 12/3 when I tried to start the car after getting it home I started getting the message "Shift to Park" The dealer was able to fix this before I got it back on 12/11. I've been told I don't qualify for a loaner vehicle so I am left with a car that could stop at any time.
Vehicle is 2018 Chevrolet volt with approx 91000 miles, purchased new in California with both PZEV and Voltec warranties in place. Vehicle produced MIL in December, in Colorado, with exterior temperatures ~30 degrees, after attempting to remote start. The resulting OnStar Codes P1AEE, P1AEF, and P0AC4 indicating "the electric propulsion system is not performing as expected. Please service immediately." Drove the vehicle to the nearest dealership assuming there could be an unexpected loss of power. Identified PIC6285B as trouble shooting aid for the dealership. The dealership stated they contacted their GM TAC representative and the service foreman and TAC agreed the vehicle needed a transmission flush. No indication that the work would be covered by the bulletin found. Customer contacted Chevrolet EV advisor and confirmed vehicle did not qualify for any warranty as the diagnostics indicated a category 4 issue associated with the bulletin but the repairs required were a transmission flush. This was contrary to the published bulletin, other customer reports, as well as the specific DTCs expected. Customer believes diagnostics would be covered by bulletin or warranty given a repair was identified based on the trouble codes that were pulled. Dealership and GM did not agree with customers belief. Customer forced to pay in order to recover vehicle after 1 week.
In August 2023, while driving on I-93 in Boston, car switched from Battery Mode to Engine Mode, and Driver Information Screen reported "Reduced Propulsion". Propulsion Battery charge and gasoline fuel levels were adequate such that this should not have happened. In this Reduced Propulsion state the environmental systems, i.e. Heat/Defrost/AC, become inoperative. A thunder storm overhead was pouring cold rainwater on the windshield and it became fogged inside from condensation. Because windshield Defrost was not functioning my passenger and I had no recourse but to frantically grab whatever we could to wipe away the condensation and keep some small amount of road visibility. This problem is intermittent. Car is available for inspection upon request. Reduced visibility in a moving vehicle is a safety hazard to the driver and all those in their vicinity. A dealer or service center has not been alerted. The vehicle has not been inspected for this problem. The intermittent problem of vehicle entering "Reduced Propulsion" Mode first occurred in July of 2023. I have an On Board Diagnostic (OBD) reader that always reports Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1E00 when the problem occurs.
My 2018 Cheverolet Volt stopped charging via the PHEV port, the check engine light came on, and "Propulsion Power Is Reduced" read on the driver display. Car acceleration began to lag and I called the dealership service department immediately. I took it to the service dept and they said the repair is under warranty but the part is back-ordered with no ETA on when I will get my car back, but I should keep it there to prevent from getting stranded. They will provide no loaner car. It is currently at the dealership and I have no transportation. This appears to be a BECM issue.
The vehicle failed to restart after being parked in a garage all day while at work. On board diagnostics returned multiple codes concerning the EV battery and vehicle integrated control module. Specific descriptions include: The Lithium-Ion Battery is not performing as expected. An issue has been detected in the Onboard Charging System which manages your vehicles battery pack charge level; Vehicle network communication code. The network provides a communications link between systems inside the vehicle and when the network is disrupted a code can be set. If vehicle functionality is impacted please seek service soon. Dealership indicates the Battery Module needs replacing and part is back-ordered with unknown delivery time. There had been no warning or other diagnostic codes visible prior to the failure.
- Coventry, CT, USA
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Driving down interstate when the following error came up on the console: ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT VEHICLE INTO PARK Coasted to a stop in the middle of a homeless encampment under the freeway. I was in fear of my life due to the failure of the vehicle. Vehicle taken to Rydell Chevrolet 18600 Devonshire St, Los Angeles, CA 91324. Told the Power Inverter Module had failed. Parts unavailable.
BECM (Battery Energy Control Module) failed. Initially received check engine light, reduced propulsion power, and battery not available warnings but was able to drive via the internal combustion engine. Within 24 hours, car was completely dead in my driveway and would not drive at all on either propulsion system. Ended up having to have it towed to the dealership where the faulty BECM was diagnosed and replaced under warranty.
The vehicle has a failure of the BECM and the EGR valve and cooler. Both parts are unavailable. I've been without my car for over a month. The service center cannot tell me when parts will be available.
The car lost propulsion while driving on the interstate, luckily the car was able to make it the shoulder. The check engine light was not on prior to this and it was taken to the dealership where it diagnosed as a faulty battery energy control module (BECM). The part is awaiting replacement, but no spare parts are currently available.
When the vehicle is placed in park and I attempt to turn it off, the dash will indicate the vehicle is not in park and subsequently, the vehicle cannot be turned off. Sometimes, if you wiggle the shifter or move it through all the settings (RNDL) and back to park, it will resolve the issue. Sometimes, it can take a few minutes to resolve the issue. It's getting worse. If you can't shut off car someone can steal it, you also can't lock doors.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that after coming to a complete stop and shifting into park(P), the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact stated that the transmission shifted to park(P) after several attempts to park the vehicle. The contact then turned off the vehicle. The local dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 25,000.
While driving my 2018 chevy volt I received a reduced propulsion error. I pulled over to assess and turn off the car and turn it back on only to find when I turned it back on I received an enginer failure error and the car would not drive forward or reverse. I had to have it towed to a Chevy dealership for evaluation. I understand from research and talking to service experts this is a common failure among the 2017 and 2018 Chevy volt and it is abhorrent that Chevy has not issued a recall on a common failure that compromises the safety of the driver and other drivers around them.
On Nov 21, 2022, after approximately of 10 minutes (5 miles of driving), while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate. The vehicle was in full EV mode in the middle of a busy intersection. The vehicle had a full charge (50+ EV range remaining or 100% total EV remaining). The driver attempted to press down more on the accelerator to no avail. After approximately 5-10 seconds, in the busy intersection, without the ability to make the vehicle accelerate, the driver noticed the vehicle jerk (which occurred 2-3 times) at which point the ICE turned on and provided power to the vehicle, allowing the driver to drive out of the intersection. After several minutes of driving, the driver noticed "Reduced propulsion warning" was noticed/illuminated in addition to "Check Engine Light". After this point, the driver noted that the propulsion felt approximately 20% of "normal propulsion". The driver was also concerned about the ability to drive up very small hills due to reduction of propulsion/power. Upon arrival at the destination (2-3 miles from incident), the vehicle was safely parked, the vehicle's codes were checked with an OBD2 code reader and 19 codes were noted. Given the manifestation and safety issue of the vehicle, the vehicle was towed to Quality Chevrolet in Escondido where it remains as of 1/10/23. The codes collected on 11/21/22 include the following: 1. P0A46, 2. P0AC4, 3. P1E00, 4. P1B0B, 5. P1B43, 6. P1E1E, 7. P0AC4, 8. P1E00, 9. P0A46, 10. P1AF0, 11. P1AF2, 12. P1B0B, 13. P1B43, 14. P1E1E, 15. P1E22, 16. P0A46, 17. P1B0B, 18. P1B43, 19. P1E1E. Per the OBD2 code reader, the primary code was P0A46 (Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor Performance). As of 1/9/23, the dealer has indicated that the primary problem is with the entire Transmission assembly which requires replacement. The replacement assembly is not in stock, is back-ordered and there is no ETA to receive the transmission assembly. The vehicle has 32243 miles on it.
Reduc d propulsion power warning while driving in EV mode. ICE started and was able to make it 1/2 mile home. Failure diagnosed to a faulty BECM. Has been at the dealer for 1 month today with no word on when the part or repair will be done.
The gear shifter for the Chevy Volt has an issue where it does not register in Park. I need to contantlty move through the gears to have it be in park.
Going 80 mph on the freeway with adaptive crusie control on, the car begins to jerk, and the rpm's shoot up and down. The adaptive cruise control disengages, the stabiltrack, abs, and engine light turned on and the car goes into limp mode. As I slow down, the speedometer keeps increasing up to 90. After, I inspected the driver wheel speed sensor and discovered that the sensor tip in the hub had been damaged. The anti-click washer had broken and began cutting the sensor until it failed.
When car is put into park, system does not show vehicle is in park and will not shut off. It takes multiple times of pushing the start button and moving the gear shift back and forth before the car finally realizes and confirms the vehicle is in park and will turn off.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rancho Mirage, CA, USA