2017 Chevrolet Volt fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 1, 2026WAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   2017 Chevy Volt, lost propulsion and stalled on a highway in 3 separate instances. GM Case # XXX: The first instance, in late 2021, resulted in a BECM replacement. The following instances, XXX and SXXX, had the exact same symptoms: loss of propulsion on highway, shift to park, full charge but 0 range, check engine light. GM Case # XXX: In March the vehicle was towed to Haselwood Chevrolet in [XXX] and they told to check for BECM issues. The dealership refused to include the…

   NHTSA complaint #11768306 · source
2. Filed Jul 22, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   While driving down highway rapidly slowed to 15mph. "reduced propulsion" was displayed with significant battery and gas left. Caused cars to swerve and pile up behind me. The car was inspected by dealer and received a variety of U26XXX codes. Dealer states its a faulty BECM. There was no warning lights on before the incident and have had no issues till then. We were lucky this was during the day. Nighttime would have been a terrible accident with oncoming traffic. Dealer is…

   NHTSA complaint #11752213 · source
3. Filed Jul 21, 2026WAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   In March 2026, our 2017 Chevrolet Volt (89,300 miles) would not charge nor start, and had to be towed to an authorized Chevrolet dealership in Portland, Oregon. The dealership diagnosed an internal fault in the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) producing U26XX diagnostic trouble codes, per GM bulletin #18-NA-261, and replaced the BECM under GM Special Coverage N232432680 — GM's field remedy for a known BECM defect affecting 2016–2019 Volts that causes reduced power,…

   NHTSA complaint #11751708 · source
4. Filed Jun 23, 2026VAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   While driving at highway speeds over 100 miles away from home with my child in the vehicle, the car experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion power and entered 'Propulsion Power Reduced' mode, dropping vehicle speed immediately and creating an extreme hazard with high-speed highway traffic. A full computer scan revealed active diagnostic codes U2603 through U2624, confirming an internal hardware communication failure of the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM).…

   NHTSA complaint #11745949 · source
5. Filed Jun 21, 2026CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Received "reduced propulsion" message, with no engine detected. Car slowed to a near stop while driving on the Interstate highway. Very dangerous to have that suddenly happen. Message popped up randomly with no prior warning.

   NHTSA complaint #11745522 · source
6. Filed Jun 5, 2026NYElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I was not going to put in a complaint about this failure but after learning about GM creating a special extended warranty program for this issue, I felt it should be addressed and treated as a recall. The battery energy control module (BECM) failed on my 2017 Chevrolet Volt at exactly 170,000 miles in December of 2024, leaving me in a dangerous position on the roadway and almost causing me to be rear ended due to losing the ability to accelerate. I had no choice but to have…

   NHTSA complaint #11742228 · source
7. Filed Mar 20, 2026MIElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11725760 · source
8. Filed Mar 15, 2026ILFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Coolant was found inside the Lithium-Ion battery module when the dealership opened it to repair a different issue. They condemned the battery on the spot. There was no damage to the battery module. All PMs were performed at Chevrolet dealerships throughout the life of the car. All recalls were fixed. Including the BECM replacement the car is known have problems with. Car had 127,000 miles on it. One of the service reps even admited that he's seen it on multiple cars and that…

   NHTSA complaint #11724388 · source
9. Filed Mar 2, 2026WAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Three separate high-voltage battery section failures within one year, each causing complete loss of propulsion. Two occurred at freeway speeds on [XXX]. FAILURE 1 ([XXX]): Vehicle lost propulsion. Dealer diagnosed DTC P0AFA (low voltage), failed cell in Battery Section 3. Section 3 replaced under GM Special Coverage N232432680 (BECM, 15yr/150k). Vehicle out of service approximately six months awaiting GM authorization and parts. FAILURE 2 ([XXX]): Vehicle lost propulsion on…

   NHTSA complaint #11721595 · source
10. Filed Feb 11, 2026INEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Several years ago, when I was driving the vehicle, I got a sudden "reduced propulsion alert" and the onboard coolant temperature gauge showed a significant spike in temperature. To avoid overheating, I had to pull over on the side of the highway. In the onboard fuse box, there was a blown F3 fuse. I replaced the fuse and the same issue happened again last year. After some online research, it is clear that the EGR valve failed. Unplugging the valve and replacing the fuse has…

    NHTSA complaint #11717254 · source
11. Filed Feb 2, 202626,500 miOHFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the message stating that the propulsion was reduced was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle, and the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact arrived at the destination and parked the vehicle, and the message “Shift to Park” was displayed even though the gear shifter was in park(P). The message…

    NHTSA complaint #11714931 · source
12. Filed Jan 27, 2026TXElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    There is a ongoing problem with the BECM on 2016-2018 volts. Mine is one of them. Contacted Chevrolet and they say my vin isn’t under the extended coverage. I believe it should be and can’t stand they won’t cover my car under warranty. Is there anything you can do?

    NHTSA complaint #11713641 · 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