This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Chevrolet Volt brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Volt have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Volt | 14 |
| 2014 Volt | 5 |
| 2015 Volt | 5 |
| 2017 Volt (this page) | 15 |
| 2018 Volt | 5 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Chevrolet Volt we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 15.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates that when removing the fuel line jumper hose care should be taken to be sure the line is reinstalled correctly to avoid a no/low fuel pressure situation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe brake failures spanning mechanical engagement and electronic control. The most serious: complete brake loss at 30–35 mph requiring frantic pedal pumping to stop (#2), momentary braking delays of about half a second at highway speeds (#7, #10), and unexplained front brake dragging and lock-up during normal driving causing rotor/pad damage and overheating (#1, #5).
Other complaints include brake pedal pressure and travel changing abruptly during sequential stops (#9), and the pedal sinking or going soft mid-stop, causing the car to feel like it's sliding on ice (#6, #13). One owner reported complete brake failure after a minor pothole impact (#4).
The clicking/ticking from the brake booster affects multiple owners; dealers quote $2,000+ to replace the pedal retainer and master cylinder, but the issue often returns (#3). One owner was told the electric brake booster needs replacement but GM has no parts available (#11).
Additional concerns: brake lights don't illuminate during one-pedal regenerative braking, creating hazards for following drivers (#8); a "Shift to Park" error message appears even when the car is in park, preventing shutdown (#12, #14); and one vehicle rolled backward from park with serious injury to the owner (#15). Dealers have been unable to replicate or diagnose most intermittent failures, leaving owners unresolved after multiple service visits.
Failure modes owners describe
Front brake dragging without pedal input
Left and/or right front brakes drag during normal driving without driver applying brake pedal, causing rotor and caliper overheating. Occurs intermittently during both electric and gasoline operation. Complaint #1 attributes this to possible ABS system malfunction rather than mechanical caliper/rotor failure. Complaint #5 reports one instance of front right brake lock-up with smoking tire and damaged rotor/pad.
When: Intermittent; complaint #1 first two incidents within months of Jan 2022 purchase; complaint #5 occurred during highway driving at >60 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel pulsation; Overheating of brake caliper, rotor, and wheel; Increased throttle pressure needed to maintain speed; No instrument fault codes displayed; Brake pad and rotor damage (complaint #5)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #1 dealer recommended new tires and suggested caliper/rotor replacement; owner declined pending confirmation of ABS root cause. Complaint #5 required pad and rotor replacement; service unable to replicate or diagnose root cause despite repeat lock-ups.
Brake pedal loss of pressure and delayed/failed brake engagement
Brake pedal softens, sinks, or loses pressure intermittently during braking. In severe instances, pedal goes to floorboard with no brake response. Complaint #2 describes complete brake failure at 30-35 mph; pedal had no resistance and brakes did not engage until after frantic pumping. Complaint #6 reports brake pedal sinking and car feeling like it is sliding on ice while still decelerating. Complaints #7 and #10 report momentary brake loss of ~0.5 to 1 second at highway and city speeds. Complaint #4 reports brake delay at low speed after pothole impact.
When: Intermittent; complaint #2 Aug 1st complete failure; complaint #6 multiple separate occasions over months; complaints #7, #10 single incidents during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sinks or goes soft; No brake response when pedal pressed; Pedal goes to floorboard with little resistance; Momentary loss of braking (0.5–1 second delay before re-engagement); Feeling car is sliding on ice despite braking input
Codes mentioned: Traction control module malfunction codes (complaint #6)
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #2 required master cylinder replacement; issue recurred within 2 weeks. Complaint #6 second dealership found error codes; first dealership stated nothing could be done.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #6 GM recommended second opinion at different dealership
Clicking/ticking noise from brake booster
Audible clicking or ticking noise (3–4 clicks per second) from brake booster assembly or pedal area, occurring when foot is released from brake pedal. Complaint #3 notes this is common on both 2017 Volt and Chevy Bolt; Bolt received software fix while Volt owners directed to expensive hardware replacement. Complaint #11 describes tick/click that occurs whether car is powered on or off, stops when brake pedal is applied.
When: Intermittent; complaint #3 since purchase; complaint #11 ongoing at time of report with no ETA on parts
Symptoms owners cite: Audible clicking or ticking from brake booster/pedal assembly; Noise occurs 3–4 times per second; Noise stops when brake pedal is applied; Noise audible in cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #3 dealers instructed to replace Brake Pedal Retainer (GM 39081933) and Brake Master Cylinder (GM 84006919); repair quoted at $2,000+; owner reports issue likely returns even after replacement. Complaint #11 diagnosed as electric brake booster failure; requires replacement but GM has no parts available; owner advised to drive until complete failure occurs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Complaint #3 cites TSB for Chevy Bolt addressing same issue with software fix; GM has not released equivalent software fix for Volt. Complaint #11 no parts available from GM.
Brake pedal pressure feel changes unexpectedly during sequential braking events
Brake pedal requires significantly more force and pedal travel on second or subsequent brake application in quick succession. When traffic stops suddenly requiring repeated braking, second brake application feels much heavier and requires deeper pedal press than expected.
When: Intermittent; occurs during normal traffic driving when multiple brake events happen in short sequence
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pressure requirement increases suddenly on subsequent applications; Pedal travel becomes significantly greater on second brake application; Unexpected change in pedal feel between brake events
Brake lights do not illuminate during one-pedal driving (regenerative braking only)
When using one-pedal driving mode (regenerative braking without friction brakes), brake lights do not illuminate to alert following drivers. This is a known issue that GM corrected in later model years but has not addressed for 2017 Volt through update or recall.
When: Occurs whenever one-pedal driving is used
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights remain off during regenerative braking deceleration; Following vehicles unaware of deceleration; Multiple close calls with other vehicles reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM corrected this issue in later model years; no update or repair option offered for 2017 Volt owners despite acknowledging the problem.
Vehicle rollaway from park
Vehicle rolls backward when parked. Complaint #15 describes owner exiting vehicle while in park; vehicle rolled backward and struck owner against a brick wall.
When: Single incident reported in complaint #15
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward while parked; Vehicle failure to remain stationary
Shift to Park malfunction and vehicle shut-down failure
Vehicle displays 'Shift to Park' message even when already in park; vehicle will not shut down and drain properly. Complaints #12 and #14 report this is a well-established issue online.
When: Intermittent; complaint #12 ongoing for months; complaint #14 ongoing at report time
Symptoms owners cite: Shift to Park message displays when car is already in park; Vehicle will not shut down and drain; Intermittent issue
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 22,092 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Chevrolet/Volt.
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.