2017 Chevrolet Volt · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 111owner reports
- 61,500median miles
- $1,900median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
310 of the 698 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 111 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 111 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 (105 reports) and the module (56 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the electrical system covers the 2017 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
18 of the 111 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $850 to $2,439.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 36,436 and 96,000 miles, from the 39 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 18 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 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.
14 more on the 2017 Chevrolet Volt page.
What owners wrote
“The BECM located in the battery compartment failed The vehicle was completely immobilized and would turn on but would not "start" leaving me stranded. Away from home. The local Chevrolet dealership confirmed the BECM was at fault The vehicle gave no clear indication of a pending BECM failure before the failure”
Filed Dec 20, 2023
“BECM issues causing vehicle to lose power, not go in to park, will not remote start, battery failure, and not turning on or not turning off when prompted.”
Filed Dec 1, 2023
“Any time the car switches from battery to gasoline the 12v battery comes on, I get the message to shift into park, and the car shuts off. This happens multiple times a day, making it difficult to drive long distance. It also makes it difficult to work more than a couple of hours at a time as an Uber driver. It has happened on the highway, very dangerous.”
Filed Dec 1, 2023
“The vehicle suddenly, and unexpectedly lost propulsion while driving. The vehicle is no longer able to turn on or drive. I contacted several Chevy official dealers and took the car in for repair. They said it is a problem with the hybrid battery system. But the car is no longer manufactured and parts are no longer available. So I am now stuck with a car that is non-operational and not repairable.”
Filed Jul 21, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 111 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. 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
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 153 reports
- "Shift to Park" or "Service Shifter" warning comes on 150 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 129 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 69 reports
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 52 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 27 reports