Diagsheet

2017 Chevrolet Volt · symptom sheet

Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power

  • 52owner reports
  • 46,000median miles
  • $1,200median quote
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Jul 21, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

598 of the 696 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 52 of those describe hybrid system.

Tick what matches of 52 reports

42
28
24
7
18

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the charger or port (24 reports), the traction battery (18 reports), the drive unit (13 reports) and the 12V battery (7 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the electrical system covers the 2017 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

8 of the 52 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,000 to $2,439.

$1,000$1,200$2,439
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 20,000 and 61,956 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.

217
118
219
121
422
923
1524
1025
826

What owners wrote

“Failure of Battery Energy Control Module (BECM), within the high voltage battery. Vehicle is unable to charge and sets “reduced power” message. GM released special coverage bulletin for this issue (N232432680), but this vehicle is not listed due to which state it was registered. Continued failure of the BECM will lead to inoperability of the vehicle.”

Filed Mar 20, 2026

“EGR Valve stop functioning, which caused Service not available engine check light on. This is a hybrid plugin, when battery is low, it is dangerous is Gas Engine not functioning. This EGR Valve is super expensive, the fix (Parts and Labor) is over $3300. The car milage was only a little over 58800 miles. Without getting this repaired, the emission inspection will not be passed in Virginia.”

Filed Jun 28, 2025 · 58,800 miles

“Driving on interstate doing 65 and suddenly warning pops up and car dies immediately. I was lucky to get over to the edge and not wreck or cause an accident. Found that the 12 volt battery was not being charged without warning until failure. Found a 15 amp fuse blown in the high voltage relay module.”

Filed Jun 14, 2025

“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.”

Filed Jun 10, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 52 reports involved a crash and 1 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.

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