2016 Chevrolet Volt electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jun 22, 2026ILElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I purchased the above-listed 2016 Chevrolet Volt through Carvana, relying on the contractual promise that the BECM was covered under Special Coverage N232432680 for up to 15yrs or 150k miles. The vehicle has suffered persistent, severe mechanical and electrical issues resulting in a prolonged loss of use: 1. Initial Breakdown and Delivery: The vehicle originally had a Reduced Propulsion Power Alert on Monday [XXX] around 8pm and nearly caused me to be rear ended on a major…

   NHTSA complaint #11745571 · source
2. Filed Mar 20, 2026UTElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have a 2016 Chevy volt. It had to be towed to a Chevy dealership because it will not drive. The BECM module has failed, as is apparently the case with so many volt owners. GM, as a result of lawsuits about this car, extended the warrantee to fix the issue, but my vin number is not included in the case. The gar is a brick, and there is no way to fix it now. GM doen't even replace these batteries any more, and most often just buys back the bad vehicles. I still owe 9k on…

   NHTSA complaint #11725794 · source
3. Filed Jan 14, 2026MNElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   While I driving in the past week, a warning that "propulsion power reduced" appeared on my dashboard several times. The last time that I had driven the car, the heater would not turn off, and the smell of burnt rubber filled the car and then dissipated soon after. The car would only run in it's gas engine mode, and not switch over to electric mode, as it usually would. The next morning, the car would not start. The dash board would light up as if the car started, but when I…

   NHTSA complaint #11711001 · source
4. Filed Jan 14, 2026ILElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction. It is a known issue with this system failing on the chevy volt. There is a service bulletin on this problem. 18-NA-261 is the service bulletin. The car will not start and when it does start it has loss of power while driving. Chevy is only fixing certain VIN numbers even thou it pulls up the same codes in their bulletin. Chevy only gave extended warranties to certain VIN numbers also. Extra warranty bulletin N232432680. This is a…

   NHTSA complaint #11710913 · source
5. Filed Jan 5, 202671,000 miMNElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled. The accelerator pedal was released, and the vehicle returned to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23022 (Electrical System) and Special Coverage: N232432680 (Battery Energy…

   NHTSA complaint #11708756 · source
6. Filed Jul 25, 2025NCElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Driving at 75 MPH on the freeway the power completely cuts off an a message appears on my dash "Propulsion Power is Reduced" - Pressing the gas barely gives any power, Imagine being in the middle of flowing traffic doing 75 mph to close to 20 mph. Research shows me this is a KNOWN issue with GM and the problem is with the BECM control module. There is also the issue of the EGR valve which apparently is tied into the BECM. I brought to the Chevy dealer and they said the BECM…

   NHTSA complaint #11676109 · source
7. Filed Jul 7, 202598,500 miCAElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while operating vehicle the "Propulsion Error” was displayed, and the message "Shift to Park" was displayed while driving. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally failed to immediately start. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…

   NHTSA complaint #11671603 · source
8. Filed May 28, 2025TXElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   •Vehicle lost power while driving on the highway at speed. The vehicle would not run with gas engine power or EV charge basically died on the road in traffic. After coming to a stop safely but not without some close calls vehicle would not start even with car having fuel of two types in it. •The battery charge would not register, and the car would not start for a little while. Display showed nothing and was only making a dinging sound. Around half hour later the vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11663558 · source
9. Filed May 14, 2025WAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11660951 · source
10. Filed Feb 7, 2025CAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    On [XXX] the check engine light turned on in my 2016 Chevy Volt (VIN: [XXX] miles 145,xxx). I was 2 hours from home in the freezing cold snow but thankfully the vehicle allowed me to drive home without any issues (no reduced propulsion power). When I returned to the vehicle to have a diagnostic check the error light disappeared and I was unable to check for error codes. Still no issues driving under EV/gasoline. Later that day, the car stopped going completely, no shifting…

    NHTSA complaint #11641379 · source
11. Filed Jan 29, 2025FLElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle had the Battery Energy Control Module fail at about 87,000 miles. Vehicle will not start and will leave you stranded when this happens. This is a known defect and GM issued a special coverage to extend the warranty for this specific component, but for some reason only applies to a handful of VINs. Mine was not one of them, so I got stuck with a $2500 repair bill. I love the car and am not mad that they are breaking, engineering is hard. I am mad that even after a…

    NHTSA complaint #11639391 · source
12. Filed Jan 14, 202595,000 miMAElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a scanner and retrieved DTC: U2603-U2606 and U2607-U2622. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was scheduled for an upcoming diagnostic test. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11635902 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology