2018 Chevrolet Volt Problems: 4 Known Issues
2018 model year · 770+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 770+ owner reports, the 2018 Chevrolet Volt has 4 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Causing Loss of Motive Power ($0-$3,000 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 $3,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 4 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls4 recalls
STEERING
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Chevrolet Volt problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 770+ owner reports, the 2018 Chevrolet Volt has 4 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Causing Loss of Motive Power, Rear Brake Caliper Piston Gas Pocket — Reduced Rear Braking (2018-2019 Recall 18V576), "Shift to Park" Error Message Preventing Vehicle Shutdown. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Chevrolet Volt reliable?
The 2018 Chevrolet Volt has 4 known issues documented across 770+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Causing Loss of Motive Power 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 $3,000, 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 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 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 and reduced rear-brake performance. Recalled under NHTSA campaign 18… 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. GM's bullet… Repairs typically run $10-$1,400. 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.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.