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 steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Volt have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 28,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Volt | 5 |
| 2014 Volt | 5 |
| 2017 Volt (this page) | 16 |
| 2018 Volt | 4 |
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Chevrolet Volt we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 16.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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 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 ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report three main steering issues. First, electric power steering failure—the system stops assisting mid-drive, forcing hard manual steering at highway speeds and low-speed parking maneuvers. Most incidents happen with minimal warning; a few include dashboard alerts ("Service Power Steering") or errors about steering needing care. One owner lost all steering feel at 50 mph on a wet curve; another experienced steering chatter then erratic centering before complete failure on a freeway offramp. Failures occur across mileage ranges, though several cluster under 30,000 miles and even as low as 2,043 miles.
Second, steering column latch failure—the mechanism holding the adjustable column in place fails, forcing the owner to manually hold the steering column upright. The failure recurred multiple times despite independent inspection.
Third, lane-departure assist system failure after a recall service reprogrammed the system's calibration. The vehicle now fails to detect or correct lane departures consistently; it drifts well across painted lines before correcting, sometimes only as the tire contacts the boundary. The system doesn't reliably recognize clearly marked lanes, and sensitivity varies with driving conditions. The owner notes serious concern about this on a drive-by-wire platform where steering has no mechanical backup.
Related to steering, owners also report steering wheel lockup during broader propulsion-system failures—loss of all propulsion power coupled with steering wheel locking, forcing hazardous stops in traffic.
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering Loss
Electric power steering assistance completely fails or drops out, forcing the driver to manually steer. System may recover after power cycling; some failures are accompanied by dashboard error messages or 'Service Power Steering' alerts.
When: Under 30,000 miles reported for most; one failure at 2,043 miles; one at ~28,000 miles; failures occur across city driving, highway cruising (50 mph), and parking maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very hard to steer; Loss of power assist with no warning or minimal warning; Steering wheel feels locked or extremely heavy; Dashboard message 'Service Power Steering' or 'Power Steering: Drive Carefully'; Multiple simultaneous errors (check engine, ABS, stability control, brake lights) during steering failure; Steering chatter and erratic centering before complete failure; Steering wheel lock-up
Codes mentioned: P1E00 (Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2), Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealer quoted replacement of entire steering assembly; another notes warranty repair performed; parts on back order in at least one case (September 2024 quoted availability)
Steering Column Latch Failure
The latch mechanism securing the adjustable steering column fails without warning. Driver must manually hold the steering column in place to keep it from falling. Failure recurs multiple times despite initial inspection.
When: ~61,368 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column shifts or falls out of position while driving; Driver forced to manually hold steering column upright; Failure recurs after inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer determined steering column replacement required; vehicle was not repaired at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware of failure
Lane Departure Warning System Degradation After Recall Service
Lane departure assist calibration was reprogrammed during a recall service. Post-recall, the system fails to reliably detect or correct lane departures. Vehicle drifts significantly across painted lines (tens of yards) before correcting, often only when tire contacts boundary. System inconsistently recognizes lane lines despite clear markings.
When: Post-recall service; observations across multiple drive conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle drifts well across painted lane lines (tens of yards) before correcting; Correction occurs too late, sometimes only as front tire touches boundary; Inconsistent lane boundary detection and correction; System fails to recognize clearly painted, brightly illuminated lane lines; Dashboard indicator does not light up to show lane recognition; Lane detection sensitivity varies with lighting and conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership confirmed the problem; no repair resolution mentioned
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall service that reprogrammed lane departure calibration
Steering Wheel Lockup During Propulsion Loss
Steering wheel locks while vehicle simultaneously loses all propulsion power, creating hazardous stopped-vehicle situations in traffic lanes.
When: Various mileages and driving conditions; one incident on busy road during turn
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks; Propulsion power loss; Unable to turn ignition off or restart; Dashboard error 'Shift to Park' (unresponsive to shift attempts); Cannot shift to Neutral to coast vehicle to safety; Orange engine symbol illuminates; Vehicle stuck in place with inability to move or safely disable
Repairs/costs cited: One bystander mentioned engine switch problem; dealership towing required; no repair details provided for most cases
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I was driving and then the car turned off and was unable to restart. There was no warning. The car was fine and then it wasn't. The power steering also stops working. Fortunately I was at a red light and not in the intersection yet. The check engine light wasn't on. The BECM (battery control module) failed. I had to get the car towed to the dealership for the repair. The dealership repaired the…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 8,900 and 37,000 miles, with the median around 28,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,900; a quarter make it past 37,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.