2018 Chevrolet Volt transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 25, 2026OHElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   FAILURE SUMMARY & SAFETY RISK: While operating in live traffic, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power and entered a "Propulsion Power Reduced" failsafe mode, creating a severe rear-end collision hazard. The vehicle is currently grounded and remains available for inspection upon request. WARNING SYMPTOMS & DIAGNOSTIC CODES: The instrument cluster illuminated the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine), the ABS warning indicator, and displayed a persistent…

   NHTSA complaint #11766936 · source
2. Filed Aug 27, 2026TXElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle frequently fails to register that the transmission has been shifted into Park. When this happens the instrument cluster displays "Action Required / Shift to Park" and the power (STOP/START) button will not shut the vehicle off. The condition is intermittent. I can usually clear it only by shifting through the gear positions and back into Park repeatedly, sometimes many times, before the vehicle will power down. SAFETY RISK: Because the transmission control module…

   NHTSA complaint #11760020 · source
3. Filed Aug 7, 2026CAOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   What component or system failed? When the BCEM failed on my car, it led directly to the transmission failing as well as the PIM. I was driving normally then had a completely inoperable car with no warning. I was told to pay over $17k for repairs by the dealership because there is no recall on the transmission, but I see proof that this is a common issue among Volt users. There needs to be a recall and repair to keep the road safe. How was your safety or the safety of others…

   NHTSA complaint #11755386 · source
4. Filed May 1, 2026NCFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving my 2018 Chevy Volt at about 30 mph on EV mode. The battery was at 50%, the car was performing normally. Then the battery jumped to 100%, the check engine light came on, and the vehicle lost power. I was in rush hour traffic and unable to get the vehicle to go faster than 5-10 mph. I switched to "normal" mode to engage the gasoline engine, hoping this would help but it did not. The gas engine RPM fluctuated wildly and did not restore the ability to accelerate…

   NHTSA complaint #11735155 · source
5. Filed Apr 29, 2026PAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle (2018 Chevrolet Volt) is experiencing an intermittent failure of the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). Diagnostic trouble code P1E5B was stored in the system. This is a well-documented defect in this vehicle population that frequently results in a sudden, unexpected loss of propulsion power while driving ("Propulsion Power Reduced" mode), posing a significant safety risk in high-speed traffic. ​Although a Chevrolet dealership confirmed the presence of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11734473 · source
6. Filed Dec 22, 2025WATransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2018 Chevrolet Volt frequently fails to recognize when the vehicle is shifted into Park. The dashboard displays “Shift to Park” even though the gear selector is already in Park. When this occurs, the vehicle will not power off, requiring multiple attempts to move the shifter before shutdown is possible. This creates a safety risk because the vehicle may be left powered on unintentionally and may not properly secure itself in Park. In one occasion, the vehicle moved…

   NHTSA complaint #11706600 · source
7. Filed Dec 9, 2025COElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   On June 27, 2025, while driving, the vehicle displayed a "Propulsion Power Reduced" warning message and a Check Engine Light illuminated. I immediately experienced a loss of power. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Chevrolet dealer the same day. On July 1, 2025, the dealer diagnosed the failure as a faulty Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) and high-voltage system fault (Code P1E00), requiring a full replacement of the high-voltage battery pack (Part #24296900). The…

   NHTSA complaint #11704006 · source
8. Filed Oct 14, 2025MOElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car can't decide if it wants to use the battery or the engine. It shows zero charge even though it is full. It lurches at stop lights as it tries to decide whether to use battery or engine. It says "propulsion power reduced". "Not able to charge". "Shift to park". Check engine light is on.

   NHTSA complaint #11693450 · source
9. Filed Feb 19, 2025NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   On [XXX], while traveling on [XXX] near Rockingham, NC, the car suddenly decelerated, all of the dash warning lights came as well as a 'Reduced Propulsion' message, stop driving the car immediately. We did, called a tow truck, waited an hour and was towed to Diffenbach Chevrolet in Rockingham. They found multiple trouble codes and a bulletin saying the EGR valve needed to be replaced. (As it happens, these have been on a nationwide backorder for years.) The technician…

   NHTSA complaint #11643697 · source
10. Filed Feb 15, 2025CAOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    The Volt experienced a "Shift to Park" error, preventing it from recognizing when it was in park, even when the gearshift was engaged. While this issue was frustrating, it initially didn’t affect the car’s driving capability. I simply had to wiggle the gearshift until the system registered that it was in park. This problem persisted for a month until one day, the vehicle would no longer shift into any mode, though the "Shift to Park" message remained on the dashboard. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11642920 · source
11. Filed Feb 5, 202511,000 miWIElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and shifted to park(P), the message "Shift to Park" was displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle was inoperative. The contact stated that the vehicle was operative while in low power mode; however, the vehicle intermittently failed to charge in low power mode. No warning light was illuminated. However, the vehicle displayed the full battery icon on the display, but 1 EV…

    NHTSA complaint #11640845 · source
12. Filed Jan 22, 2025COElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    The BECM (Battery Electric Control Module) failed in November of 2023. Mountain Chevrolet has had my vehicle since then, claiming to be unable to find replacement battery module. The vehicle is available for inspection at Mountain Chevrolet (it has been left unlocked, unprotected, and exposed to the elements for almost 15 months now). When the BECM failed, the vehicle lost virtually all power and slowed dramatically from highway speeds to ~20 mph. There were no warnings…

    NHTSA complaint #11637803 · 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