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 Oct 2, 2026
77 of the 169 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 33 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 33 reports
Dead battery on other Volt years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
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 Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Volt
Loss of motive power due to the battery energy control module. Closed mar 3, 2025.
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Post-crash ev fire hazard. Closed jan 20, 2012.
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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 44,000 and 150,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 25 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
Special Coverage. On some vehicles, a malfunction involving the battery energy control module (BECM) may cause a reduced power mode, a no start condition, or a no charge condition. Dealers are to replace the battery energy control module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about a no start or another concern after swapping an Engine Control Module or other modules from one vehicle to another.
This service bulletin provides a procedure to install a battery energy control module to correct customer concerns of No Start or MIL Illuminated with DTCs.
21 more on the 2016 Chevrolet Volt page.
What owners wrote
“While driving the car displayed âreduced propulsion powerâ 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
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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 42 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 33 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 29 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 28 reports