This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Chevrolet Volt powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Volt have filed 216 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 35,066 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
216
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Volt | 23 |
| 2014 Volt | 4 |
| 2015 Volt | 6 |
| 2016 Volt | 51 |
| 2017 Volt (this page) | 216 |
| 2018 Volt | 82 |
| 2019 Volt | 16 |
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 216 powertrain complaints filed for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Chevrolet Volt we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 216.
Powertrain accounts for 31% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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 service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2017 Volt owners report three major failure clusters that disable the vehicle unpredictably. The EGR valve develops an internal short causing the F3UA fuse to blow, triggering an "Engine unavailable" message and loss of propulsion once the battery depletes. Owners see coolant temps spike to 240–255°F with no warning light, and the car slows to 40–50 kW of power or stops entirely in traffic. Replacement parts are severely backordered with wait times of 6 weeks to 12 months; one owner was stranded 225 miles from home for six weeks.
The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) fails suddenly, cutting all propulsion without warning. Owners lose power on highways at 65+ mph, forcing uncontrolled stops in active traffic. Replacement BECM parts take months to arrive. One owner documented three separate battery section failures within 12 months despite prior repairs, suggesting a systemic defect. GM extended BECM warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles, but some owners report their VINs are excluded from coverage despite meeting model-year criteria.
The "Shift to Park" fault prevents the vehicle from shutting off. The shifter sensor fails to recognize Park position, leaving the engine running and battery draining. Owners must restart repeatedly, jiggle the shifter, or disconnect the battery to reset. One owner's shifter became mechanically stuck. Shifter replacement costs $500–$600 and a Technical Service Bulletin exists, but repairs are not always covered under warranty. A fourth failure mode—vehicle rolling backward while in Park—occurred just days after purchase in one case; GM Engineering confirmed it but could not repair it.
Same Chevrolet Volt powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
EGR Valve Failure & F3UA Fuse Blowout
The EGR valve develops an internal short that causes the F3UA fuse to blow, triggering loss of engine function. When the ICE turns on after battery depletion, the propulsion system enters reduced power mode and may shut down entirely. Multiple check-engine codes accumulate (P0403, P0405, P0443, P0458, P0489, P0597, P0598, P06DB, P06DA, P0030, P0031, P0135, P0AC4, P16E0).
When: Typically 40,500–71,500 miles; can occur early in vehicle life if ICE is frequently engaged
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; "Propulsion power is reduced" or "Engine unavailable" warning message; Rapid deceleration or inability to maintain highway speed; Engine temperature spike (coolant reading 240–255°F with no high-temp warning); ICE shuts down after a few minutes of running once battery is depleted; Loss of power in traffic or on highway; F3UA fuse repeatedly blows
Codes mentioned: P0403, P0405, P0443, P0458, P0489, P0597, P0598, P06DB, P06DA, P0030, P0031, P0135, P0AC4, P16E0
Repairs/costs cited: EGR valve replacement (parts 12691147 and coolant 12346290 cited in one narrative); parts extensively backorder with no ETA in many cases; one owner waited 6 weeks, another 6–12 months; initial 12V battery replacement ($550) misdiagnosed in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin issued by GM in Feb 2023 for F3UA fuse and EGR valve issue; TSB 21-NA-116 referenced in at least one repair; parts availability severely delayed; no recall issued despite widespread reports.
Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Failure
The BECM fails suddenly with no warning, cutting power to the propulsion system. Loss of power occurs while driving, sometimes in traffic or on highways, forcing the vehicle to an uncontrolled stop. Error messages include "propulsion lost", "shift transmission to park", and "propulsion power reduced". Three documented cases show sequential failure of different battery sections (Sections 1, 2, 3) within 12 months despite prior section replacements, suggesting a systemic defect. BECM extended warranty (Special Coverage N232432680) covers 15 years/150,000 miles for 2016–2018 models, but some owners report their VINs are excluded from coverage despite meeting model-year criteria.
When: Variable: reported from ~25,000 miles to 100,900 miles; one case had three separate section failures within one year
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of propulsion power while driving; Cryptic error messages ("propulsion lost", "shift transmission to park", "propulsion power reduced"); Unable to drive vehicle once failure occurs; Vehicle must be left parked until replacement part arrives; Check engine light and reduced-power limp mode after restart; Forward collision detection system disabled or malfunctioning; High-voltage battery charging only to 50–65% despite full-charge indication; Loss of power on highway at freeway speeds (65+ mph)
Codes mentioned: P1E00, U2603, U2604, U2605, U2606, U2617, U2618, U2619, U2620, U2621, U2622, U2623, U2624, P0AFA
Repairs/costs cited: BECM and battery pack replacement; replacement parts on severe backorder (6 months to several months documented); one owner waited 6+ months for part in parking lot 225 miles from home; $10,000+ battery replacement mentioned; dealership diagnostics and towing charges exceed $1,000 in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Special Coverage N232432680 (15 years/150,000 miles) issued for 2016–2018 Chevy Volts; however, owners report some VINs are excluded from coverage despite meeting criteria; extended warranty available but not always applied; one owner denied coverage based on CARB/state-jurisdiction technicality (purchased in CA, now resident in AZ).
"Shift to Park" Fault (Transmission/Gear Sensor/Shifter Assembly)
The vehicle fails to recognize the shifter is in the Park position, displaying a "Shift to Park" or "Action Required: Shift to Park" message even when the gear is correctly positioned in Park. This prevents the vehicle from shutting off, leaving the engine running and draining the battery. In some instances, the shifter becomes mechanically stuck in Park and cannot be moved, yet the sensor still does not register Park. Owners must repeatedly engage and disengage the shifter, restart the vehicle, or disconnect the 12V battery to reset the system.
When: Intermittently in early ownership (one owner reported onset 3 months post-purchase, early 2017–early 2019); one case at ~2,500 miles; becomes more frequent over time; recurrence documented years later (e.g., first failure Feb 2019, recurrence July 2021)
Symptoms owners cite: "Shift to Park" or "Action Required: Shift to Park" warning message displayed; Vehicle will not shut off even though shifter is in Park; Vehicle doors will not lock; Shifter lock and inability to move gear lever despite being in Park; Vehicle remains running with warning chime when driver opens door; Intermittent at first, then becomes constant; Vehicle fails to start if left in this state; Battery drain if vehicle left running
Repairs/costs cited: Shifter replacement (Feb 2019 documented in one case); another owner quoted $586 plus tax for jumper harness and switch contact repair; costs range $500–$600 reported; Chevy has manufactured a shifter cable extension addressing the inadequate cable length; Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-206 references gear position sensor failure; one case involved electronic control module (ECM) replacement with previous service bulletins but not covered by GM warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-206 references this issue; GM aware but no recall issued; warranty coverage limited to 36,000 miles for some dealers; customers out of warranty required to pay out-of-pocket; one service bulletin mentioned but GM would not cover repair.
Vehicle Rolls Backward While in Park
Vehicle rolls backward unintentionally when in Park, particularly when the battery is depleted. A documented case shows the vehicle rolling backward in the middle of a street, requiring the owner to jump in and apply the brakes to prevent collision with a neighbor's car. The owner was able to reproduce and video the problem. GM Engineering (Raytheon representative) and dealership confirmed the issue but could not repair it; the vehicle was deemed too dangerous to drive and had to be towed to GM. GM offered replacement but with unsatisfactory price difference and refused warranty repair.
When: A few days after purchase; second documented incident at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward while parked in Park gear; Occurs especially when battery is depleted; Unpredictable behavior—sometimes car will not go backward in reverse; after a few minutes suddenly jerks backward at high speed; No warning before rollback occurs
Repairs/costs cited: Unable to be repaired by dealership; GM offered vehicle replacement but owner rejected due to inadequate price adjustment; vehicle had to be towed and held by GM for further testing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Engineering (Raytheon) confirmed the defect but could not repair it; vehicle was ordered back to GM for further testing; offered replacement vehicle (not accepted); refused warranty repair; vehicle left in limbo.
Loss of Power When Switching from Electric to Gas Mode
Vehicle abruptly loses propulsion power during or immediately after the automatic switchover from electric to gas propulsion. The engine may turn on but the car does not accelerate normally, forcing rapid deceleration in traffic. In some cases, the vehicle loses all power and must be coasted to the shoulder or comes to an uncontrolled stop. The hybrid powertrain control module may be involved. Multiple power losses documented in same vehicle within a short timeframe.
When: Variable; one case at 50 miles, another after battery depletion, others after 2,500–7,500 miles of ownership, recurring 4 times in less than 2 years in one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; "Propulsion power reduced" warning message; Loss of power during or after electric-to-gas mode switchover; Vehicle decelerates rapidly even with accelerator pressed; Engine turns on but does not propel vehicle; Inability to maintain highway speeds; Vehicle shudders and switches between electric and gas powertrains; Loss of accessories power; In severe cases: complete loss of all power, requiring tow
Codes mentioned: P1E00, P1F06
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement documented at ~5 miles (one case); electronic control module replacement required in some cases; one vehicle had to be towed twice within 2 years; dealership unable to correctly diagnose issue on first visit; some vehicles required multiple repair attempts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific bulletin or extended warranty noted for this failure mode; dealership repair attempts unsuccessful in multiple cases.
Engine Control Module (ECM) Physical Separation/Wiring Harness Failure
The Engine Control Module physically separates from its mount and falls out of the vehicle while driving. A wiring harness failure is the root cause—the harness snaps or fails under stress, releasing the ECM. Vehicle immediately stops running when the ECM falls out. This is attributed to the vehicle's low ground clearance causing continual damage to the undercarriage. The owner reports this as the 4th undercarriage-related repair in the vehicle's ownership, all due to the low design clearance.
When: Years into ownership after multiple undercarriage damage events; one case reported by son driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stops driving instantly; Engine stops unexpectedly with no warning; Low undercarriage damage from ground contact
Repairs/costs cited: ECM replacement (GM part 12700116); wiring harness failed and not available with no ETA from GM; repair cost exceeds $3,000; harness shortage compounded by dealership lack of loaner vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM acknowledges issue but offers no immediate solution; extended parts backorder with no ETA; no design change to address low clearance problem.
High-Voltage Battery Charging Failure & Reduced Charging Capacity
High-voltage battery fails to charge properly or charges only to a fraction of expected capacity despite displaying full-charge status on the instrument panel. Battery shows full charge at 65% SOC in one case; in another, 40 miles of range with EV battery depleted to zero despite "full charge" indication. Battery section cells drop below minimum voltage specification (2.5V minimum; one cell measured 1.5V, another 1.85V).
When: Reported around 40,500 miles in one case; variable onset in others
Symptoms owners cite: High-voltage battery charges to only 50–65% capacity despite full-charge indication; EV range dramatically reduced in winter (29 miles) vs. summer (42 miles) despite full charge; "Charging Unavailable" message displayed; Battery cannot be charged after BECM or propulsion failure event
Codes mentioned: P0AFA
Repairs/costs cited: Battery section replacement under GM Special Coverage N232432680; multiple section replacements required in progressive failure cases (three different sections replaced within 12 months).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Special Coverage N232432680 for BECM and battery issues (15 years/150,000 miles on 2016–2018 models); however, parts severe backorder; one owner waited 6 months for replacement.
Engine Overheating (EGR-Related)
Engine temperature spikes dangerously, climbing to 240–255°F without a high-temperature warning light illuminating on the dashboard. Occurs in conjunction with EGR valve failure and propulsion loss. The EGR cooler may fail, preventing proper coolant circulation through the exhaust gas recirculation circuit.
When: Concurrent with EGR valve failure; reported at 40,500+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant temperature gauge shows 240–255°F; No high-temperature warning light displayed; "Engine unavailable" message appears; Propulsion power reduced warning coincides with overheating; Check engine light illumination
Codes mentioned: P0401
Repairs/costs cited: EGR Cooler replacement (4 hours labor, $1,500 quoted); part availability issues; EGR valve replacement also required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No extended warranty or recall for this specific thermal failure.
Synthesized from 216 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
On 10/14, I was driving the car to my job, when the car suddenly switched from its electric battery power to its internal combustion engine. The vehicle's information screen only showed that the battery was unavailable. I was able to operate the car on only the internal combustion engine to arrive at work. However, when I went to leave several hours later, the car would not start. The car was…
Loss of Motive Power due to EGR Valve. I was driving down the highway when I experienced a loss of motive power and the Volt entered a reduced power state while in moving traffic. After the EV battery ran out and the ICE turned on, the following message showed up on the instrument panel "Propulsion Power Is Reduced" and the check engine light turned on. The Volt slowed down and would not…
The latest episode with my 2017 Chevy Volt is a culmination of years of issues with the low clearance on the vehicle causing continual damage and unsafe driving conditions that require expensive repairs due to the design flaw (note - I had a 2014 Chevy Volt that had NONE of these problems). My son was driving the car a week ago and the Engine Control Module (GM part # 12700116) fell OUT of the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet volt. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the gas engine turned on while there was a significant amount of battery range left. As a result, the contact had to coast the vehicle downhill to the side of the road. The contact attempted to place the gear into drive; however, the gear shifter did not…
Vehicle periodically throws P0964 and P0AC4 related to TSB PIC6330. Recently, this has led to poor running of internal combustion engine and low/undrivable power, almost leaving me stranded. Took multiple restarts before I could drive the vehicle. The TSB indicates to replace part# 24285319 (internal transmission solenoid control harness) however GM indicates they have discontinued manufacture…
Power surge I hit the gas to cross the highway and lack of power then got home the next morning started the car and it started serging in the driveway then it shut down altogether.
Car will intermittently not turn off when shifter placed in park and on / off button pushed. Message on display screen will show "shift to park". It appears the vehicle is not recognizing the vehicle is in park. I purchased this vehicle 12/10/2020 and it has happened multiple times thru today's date 12/23/2020. It happens in the park gear when attempting to shut down the vehicle.
My 2017 Chevy Volt is having Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) issues. I receive the occasional error message of "propulsion is reduced" and engine fault codes of P1E00, U2619, U2620, U2621, U2622, U2623, and U2624. GM issued a Special Coverage bulletin (N232432680) extending the warranty for the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) on 2016-2018 Chevy Volts to 15 years/150,000 miles. My Chevy…
EGR valve failed. Dealer supplied part has been on back order for more than five months.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 216 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?
Across the 88 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 27,000 and 52,000 miles, with the median around 35,066. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 52,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
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.