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2016 chevrolet Volt powertrain problems

moderate 51 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500

Complaints
51
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500

What owners are reporting 7 most recent

powertrain · filed 12/19/2019

WHEN PARKING THE CAR AFTER HAVING STOPPED, ANT ERROR MESSAGE 'SHIFT TO PARK' APPEARS ON THE DISPLAY EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFTER WAS IN PARK. THIS PROBLEM PREVENTS CAR FROM BEING TURNED OFF.

powertrain · filed 12/16/2023

While driving suddenly the battery power died (1/3 battery life left) and the ICE came on reving very high and check engine lights came on and vehicle slowed. Pulled over at first spot I could find and tired to restart the car. Car would not power down or restart the ice motor and the electric drive motors stopped working and vehicle would roll backwards once put into drive. Vehicle had to be towe…

powertrain · filed 12/16/2019

UNABLE TO TURN OFF POWER TO CAR WITH ERROR ON DASHBOARD SAYING SHIFT TO PARK. HAVE TO POWER ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES WHILE MOVING THE SHIFTER IN AND OUT OF PARK TO GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF.

powertrain · filed 12/14/2019

THIS VEHICLE HAS A SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE THAT BEEN SEEN ON MANY GM VEHICLES. SOME OF THE OWNER SITES I HAVE BEEN TO SAY THAT THIS IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY WITH GM. THE DEALER DID COVER 1 REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM BUT NOW SAYS I HAVE TO PAY. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND PERSISTS. A SHIFT TO PARK MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH AFTER THE CAR IS IN PARK AND WILL NOT SHUTDOWN.…

powertrain · filed 12/11/2021

There is a “Shift to park” message on the driver information screen when attempting to shut off vehicle. I don’t know if the vehicle is still in gear and will move (forward or back) when I think it is in Park. I have not had it in for inspection/repair yet, as it is a recent occurrence that is becoming increasingly frequent. This started happening around 11/15/2021.

powertrain · filed 12/03/2023

I had just left my house about to enter the on-ramp to Interstate 95 south when my 2016 Volt abruptly and without warning stopped. I was unable to coast or pull the car to the side of the road. I was in the middle of the lane in a dangerous place to stop a car and a dangerous place to get out of the car due to the steady traffic entering the interstate. My car would not restart and I had it towed …

powertrain · filed 12/02/2023

Driving 72mph down I5 interstate the display notified me with a check engine light with two errors, enigne propulsion reduced and engine overheating. I pulled over to the side of the road and called a tow. This was a very traumatic event. I had my partner and my 2 year old daughter in the car.I just purchased this used vehicle from a Toyota dealer the same day. It has 63k miles on it and still und…

Common questions

How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 chevrolet Volt?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 51 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to powertrain?

No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Other problem areas on this vehicle

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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