Diagsheet

2016 Chevrolet Volt · symptom sheet

Battery dies or the car will not start

  • 33owner reports
  • 87,000median miles
  • $2,000median quote
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Mar 20, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

77 of the 169 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 33 of those describe dead battery. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 33 reports

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1
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4

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (32 reports) and the module (19 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the electrical system covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Volt

PE23-022opened Nov 29, 2023
Electrical · model years 2016 to 2019

Loss of motive power due to the battery energy control module. Closed mar 3, 2025.

NHTSA summary
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 leading to a loss of communication within the BECM and does not pose a risk to motor vehicle safety. GM further stated that the failure cannot result in a complete stall, only a reduced power mode, no start condition, or a no charge condition. GM additionally stated that if these conditions occur, the driver will be warned via a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and/or a reduced-propulsion message in the Driver Information Center (DIC). Data received and analyzed by ODI from all sources indicates that nearly all related BECM failures caused conditions aligning with GM’s predicted outcomes. Despite the large number of warranty claims, nearly all failures were not safety-related, i.e., not a stall or reduced power mode. ODI isaware of a single minor crash and no injuries or deaths. In March 2024, GM issued Special Coverage N232432680, which was mailed to consumers, addressing BECM failures in ce
DP22-005opened Jan 27, 2023
Electrical · model years 2011 to 2019

Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.

NHTSA summary
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 March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
PE11-037opened Nov 25, 2011
Electrical · model years 2011 to 2012

Post-crash ev fire hazard. Closed jan 20, 2012.

NHTSA summary
The subject vehicles, which employ emerging technology, are range-extended electric vehicles that utilize a high voltage (HV) battery to provide energy for propulsion. The HV battery is lithium-ion based technology that has a nominal full charge of 390 VDC, a 16 kWh capacity, and a control system that incorporates liquid (antifreeze) cooling and various electronic devices (control modules, sensors, wiring, etc) to monitor and manage the HV battery. The HV battery, portions of the cooling system, and the control system are contained within a common enclosure.During an NCAP oblique side pole impact test conducted by NHTSA in May 2011, the pole struck and deformed the sill plate under the driver's door at a location where there is a structural member. The lateral member displaced inward, pierced the HV battery enclosure and battery, and caused a battery coolant leak. Thereafter, the Agency conducted a rollover test (the rollover test consists of four 90-degree rotate-and-hold movements about the vehicle's longitudinal axis). In that test, the HV battery and electronics were exposed to coolant that leaked as a result of the crash. The vehicle fire that occurred three weeks later and the additional testing NHTSA conducted are discussed in a report titled 2011 Chevrolet Volt Battery Fire Incident Report a copy of which is available in the public file. The report indicates that intrusion induced coolant leakage, and subsequent rollover that saturates electronic components, were the

What owners paid

7 of the 33 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,300 to $5,000.

$1,300$2,000$5,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 44,000 and 150,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.

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523
1324
525
426

What owners wrote

“While driving the car displayed “reduced propulsion power” on the dash and then I lost all drive power and could not switch the plug in hybrid from electric to gas engine mode. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer who stated that the battery electronics control module and perhaps the battery needed to be replaced. The check engine light came on slightly before the incident.”

Filed May 14, 2025

“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”

Filed Apr 24, 2024

“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!”

Filed Jan 5, 2024

“Vehicle shift to park warning , does not go in reverse or forward , shifter moves but it does not detect is in park mode , therefore it doesn't reset battery status or able to drive in forward or reverse.”

Filed Oct 31, 2021

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 33 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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