Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Chevrolet Volt owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH the message "low brake fluid" suddenly displayed before multiple warning lights began to illuminate and the vehicle stalled. While the vehicle was coasting on the shoulder the contact discovered that the braking system had malfunctioned and the vehicle did not stop when pressing the brake pedal. After coasting to a stop the contact noticed smoke coming from the front end of the vehicle. Eventually, the flames engulfed the front end of the vehicle and the fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A fire report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, another unknown vehicle crashed into his vehicle which went airborne and over the median. There were no warning lights to illuminate. A police report was not filed. There was no reported fire or air bag deployment. The contact sustained injuries to his neck and back and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a body shop who informed him the battery was scratched. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where the battery electronic module was damaged due to being dropped. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while the vehicle was standstill when the battery charger plug caught fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with his fire extinguisher. The fire department nor the police department was not contacted. The contact stated no one was injured or seek medical attention. The contact stated the vehicle was still drivable but unable to charge to drive. The contact called the local dealer and was made aware the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the mechanic informed the contact that the 12-volt battery needed to be replaced. After the battery was replaced, the contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the Propulsion Power reduced message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to AutoNation Chevrolet West Colonial (3707 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808) where the contact was informed that the battery had failed for a second time within two weeks and needed to be replaced. After the second 12-volt battery replacement, the vehicle started making an abnormal cranking sound while the vehicle independently surged and then lost power. The contact stated that an unknown power failure message was displayed on the instrument panel. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the Battery Range Zero Miles message displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The Propulsion Power Reduced message was then displayed, and the engine inadvertently shut off. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and shifted the transmission into park(P) when the Shift to Park message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who reprogrammed the power inverter module, and cleared the DTC codes. The failure recurred 60 days later, and the vehicle was towed to Chevrolet Van Nuys (5949 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401), where the 12V battery was replaced and the DTC codes were cleared; however, the failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at 65-70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power or experienced reduced motive power. The "Reduced Propulsion" message displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, upon parking, the "Shift to Park" message displayed, causing the vehicle to fail to turn off until the contact pressed and held the Engine Start/Stop button multiple times. A diagnostic trouble code for the battery energy control module (BECM) was retrieved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The contact associated the failure with Special Coverage: N232432680 (Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction); however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the special coverage. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the "Propulsion Power Reduced" message in the driver information center was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred at various speeds, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) needed to be replaced and reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was no longer operable. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched and related the failure to a Customer Satisfaction Program for the BECM; however, the contact was advised by the manufacturer and the dealer that the vehicle was not covered under the CSP. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the message "Loss Of Power Proportion" was displayed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact was able to drive to the residence; however, the vehicle failed to restart while in the garage. The contact stated that upon investigating the failure online, he became aware that the failure mostly occurred in cold weather. As the weather became warmer, the contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was not available. …
Vehicle Make and Model 2017 Chevrolet Volt LT Miles Currently 28,000 (Car is recalled) Energy Hybrid The vehicle will not turn off, Motor Light Constantly on I never received a recall letter, email not mail notification The whole car smells like smoke and gasoline when AAA gives me jumps I've had two not at fault accidents since I've had the vehicle CarMax sold me the vehicle in February of 2021 I spoke with GM yesterday who stated and confirmed that my vehicle is defective and recalled The recall states that any 2017 & other Models can't be sold due to a multitude of reasons The recall was put in place before it was sold to me At this point, I want another vehicle (Brand New, That is recalled and damaged) I'm having panic attacks when trying and attempting to drive this car I was badly injured and I still am
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the next morning when he attempted to start the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound. The contact shifted into reverse and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a battery malfunction. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact related the failure to Manufacturer Communication Number: 10251431 (Electrical System) and TSB Number: N232422680 (Special Coverage Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 142,974.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE23022 to investigate allegations of a loss of motive power, including a stall, reduced power state, and/or a no start condition due to the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) in model year (MY) 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt passenger car vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM).
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Electrical complaints in other Volt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
NHTSA has 313 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Chevrolet Volt, 45% of the model year's 702 complaints. The component named most often is propulsion system › traction battery › management system/energy control module (bms/becm) (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Chevrolet Volt electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Volt electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 7 fires and 5 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.