What is the 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Causing Loss of Motive Power?

NHTSA received 61 complaints about second-generation Volts losing motive power due to Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) failure. The BECM manages the high-voltage battery system, and when it fails, the vehicle can stall, enter a reduced power state, or refuse to start. Loss of… Repairs typically run $0-$3,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2012-2013 Chevrolet Volt Passenger Sensing System Airbag Malfunction?

The 2012-2013 Chevrolet Volt has a known issue with the Passenger Sensing System (PSS) malfunction. The PSS incorrectly classifies the front passenger seat status, which can cause the airbag system malfunction indicator light to illuminate and potentially prevent the passenger ai… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2015 Chevrolet Volt Inner Tie Rod Separation from Steering Gear (2015 Recall 15V442)?

A small number of 2015 Volts (built April 11, 2014) left the factory with an inner tie rod not tightened to specification due to a supplier assembly-machine error, allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear and cause loss of steering control. Recalled under NHTSA cam… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: high.

What is the 2011-2012 Chevrolet Volt 120V Charging Cord (EVSE) Overheating and Melting at the Plug?

Early Gen 1 Volts shipped with a 120V portable charge cord (EVSE) that could overheat at the wall plug, becoming too hot to touch, melting the connector, and in at least one case causing a burn. GM initially blamed household outlet wiring but ultimately replaced the units. The or… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: high.

What is the 2018-2019 Chevrolet Volt Rear Brake Caliper Piston Gas Pocket — Reduced Rear Braking (2018-2019 Recall 18V576)?

On certain 2018-2019 Volts, supplier ZF failed to properly apply the surface coating to the rear brake caliper pistons, allowing gas to form in the rear brake hydraulic circuit. This produces a soft/spongy pedal, reduced rear-brake performance and longer stopping distances. Recal… Repairs typically run $0-$250. Severity: high.

What is the 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt "Shift to Park" Error Message Preventing Vehicle Shutdown?

Second-generation Chevrolet Volts (2016-2019) have a widespread manufacturing defect that prevents the vehicle from recognizing that it is in Park, displaying a persistent "Shift to Park" error message. The vehicle cannot be powered off normally, draining the battery. The issue i… Repairs typically run $10-$1,400. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt High-Voltage Battery Coolant Heater Failure (Gen 1)?

First-generation Volts (2011-2015) can experience battery coolant heater failure. The heating coil is located inside the battery pack and can develop isolation faults, causing the vehicle to run on gasoline only when the battery is below 50 degrees F. The poor design placement re… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt Gen 1 'Reduced Propulsion Power' — HV Battery Low-Voltage / Cell-Balancing Fault?

Gen 1 Volts (2011-2015) commonly display a 'Propulsion Power is Reduced' message with reduced acceleration and electric range, often with DTC P0A7F. GM traced this to an HPCM2 (Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2) software update that could disable the cell-balancing function, cau… Repairs typically run $0-$8,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Volt 12V Auxiliary Battery Parasitic Drain / APM (DC-DC Converter) Failure Leaving Car Dead?

A widely documented Volt fault where the 12V auxiliary battery drains while the car sits, leaving an otherwise fully-charged EV completely dead and unable to power up. Root causes include parasitic draw from modules that fail to sleep (OnStar/telematics hang-ups, software bugs) a… Repairs typically run $150-$2,000. Severity: medium.

Chevrolet · Known Issues

2011-2019 Chevrolet Volt Problems: 10 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2011-2019 model years · 1,110+ owner reports · Updated July 2026

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According to Au7o's analysis of 1,110+ owner reports, the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Volt has 10 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Causing Loss of Motive Power ($0-$3,000 repair), Passenger Sensing System Airbag Malfunction ($0-$0 repair), Post-Crash High-Voltage Battery Coolant Leak and Delayed Fire Risk (2011 NHTSA PE11-037) ($0-$0 repair), Inner Tie Rod Separation from Steering Gear (2015 Recall 15V442) ($0-$1,200 repair), 120V Charging Cord (EVSE) Overheating and Melting at the Plug ($0-$600 repair) and Rear Brake Caliper Piston Gas Pocket — Reduced Rear Braking (2018-2019 Recall 18V576) ($0-$250 repair). The most commonly reported issue is "Shift to Park" Error Message Preventing Vehicle Shutdown with 520 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $10 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Chevrolet Volt problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 1,110+ owner reports, the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Volt has 10 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Causing Loss of Motive Power, Passenger Sensing System Airbag Malfunction, Post-Crash High-Voltage Battery Coolant Leak and Delayed Fire Risk (2011 NHTSA PE11-037). Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Chevrolet Volt reliable?

The 2011-2019 Chevrolet Volt has 10 known issues documented across 1,110+ owner reports. 6 issues are rated critical: Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Causing Loss of Motive Power and Passenger Sensing System Airbag Malfunction and Post-Crash High-Voltage Battery Coolant Leak and Delayed Fire Risk (2011 NHTSA PE11-037) and Inner Tie Rod Separation from Steering Gear (2015 Recall 15V442) and 120V Charging Cord (EVSE) Overheating and Melting at the Plug and Rear Brake Caliper Piston Gas Pocket — Reduced Rear Braking (2018-2019 Recall 18V576). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Chevrolet Volt problems?

Repair costs for known Chevrolet Volt issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Causing Loss of Motive Power, typically costs $0-$3,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Chevrolet Volt is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Chevrolet Volt. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Volt with 10 documented issues documented across 1,110+ owner reports.

All 10 Known Issues

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Chevrolet Volt problems?

Is the Chevrolet Volt reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Chevrolet Volt problems?

What year Chevrolet Volt is the most reliable?

2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt: Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Causing Loss of Motive Power#

2011-2012 Chevrolet Volt: 120V Charging Cord (EVSE) Overheating and Melting at the Plug#

2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt: "Shift to Park" Error Message Preventing Vehicle Shutdown#

2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt: High-Voltage Battery Coolant Heater Failure (Gen 1)#

2011-2019 Chevrolet Volt: 12V Auxiliary Battery Parasitic Drain / APM (DC-DC Converter) Failure Leaving Car Dead#

2012-2013 Chevrolet Volt: Passenger Sensing System Airbag Malfunction#

2011-2012 Chevrolet Volt: Post-Crash High-Voltage Battery Coolant Leak and Delayed Fire Risk (2011 NHTSA PE11-037)#

2015 Chevrolet Volt: Inner Tie Rod Separation from Steering Gear (2015 Recall 15V442)#

2018-2019 Chevrolet Volt: Rear Brake Caliper Piston Gas Pocket — Reduced Rear Braking (2018-2019 Recall 18V576)#

2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt: Gen 1 'Reduced Propulsion Power' — HV Battery Low-Voltage / Cell-Balancing Fault#