Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Mileage: 38523 Engine Not Available Service Soon Propulsion Power Is Reduced Fuel Range Low: 3/4 Tank full of gas [redacted] - I was driving Northbound on [redacted] South of Castlewood in Northern California. I was driving 70 mph when I suddenly received the error messages above on my dashboard screen. The vehicle immediately had power from 70 mph quickly going below 59 mph. The traffic was extremely high and I had to quickly use my hazard flashes and carefully maneuver to the right shoulder of the frwy. The vehicle lost power so quickly I could have easily been rear ended or in a serious vehicle accident. The dealer test drove the vehicle and stated they received the errors at 95 mph. The dealership is recommending I have the entire transmission replaced with the assembly and the 45,000 mile maintenance. No other warning lamps, messages or symptoms or failures occurred. …
Leasing 2019 Chevy Volt from dgdg Chevy: end of September -- major safety issue (brakes): end of September 2019, the vehicle had limited brake power (check engine light on and traction control disabled). When braking, the car makes very loud (system noise) and skids while braking. After nearly crashing the car couple of times in the highway (due to very poor braking), car was turned into Chevy dgdg and problem was confirmed. Car was returned back second week of October and initial issues went away. First week of December 2019 -- more brake problems / risk to drivers brake issue had returned (limited brake power; skids while braking, makes loud beeping noise, check engine light on/traction control off). I bought it back to the same dealership, after nearly rear ending few cars due to the malfunction of the brake. Issue was confirmed and was in the shop for over 70days+. …
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light illuminated. Shortly afterward, the message "Reduce Propulsion, Engine will not Start" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective EGR valve. The contact was informed that the EGR valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost and lack of parts availability. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact believed that the cause of the failure was related to high temperatures. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that the battery module became inoperable. While attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Engine Unavailable - Service Soon" was displayed. The contact was unable to use the vehicle. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 18-NA-261. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
The contact 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle switched over from battery to fuel and a message was displayed that there was no fuel available. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve failure light illuminated, and the vehicle started decelerating. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact continued to drive at slower speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the propulsion power was reduced. The contact was informed that the battery energy control module needed to be replaced. The dealer later found upon further inspection that the EGR valve needed to be replaced but was not replaced. The contact stated that after having the repair completed the failure occurred approximately 3 times. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. However, the vehicle would lose motive power whenever the vehicle exceeded 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer informed the contact that the warranty had expired and there were no appointments available. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Keyes Chevrolet (5949 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91401) and the dealer informed the contact that the warranty was expired and could not assist the contact without the contact paying the diagnostic fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would escalate it to the legal department. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
The car has experienced a 'BECM' failure, which is very common on the Chevy volt. When it fails the car becomes undrivable and will slow down into reduced propulsion mode. It will not start and required us to have it towed to the dealer. The 2016-2019 Chevy volt BECM issue has been investigated by the nhtsa and gm. It is a common enough issue that gm has voluntarily issued 'special coverage N232432680'. This covers the becm failure on 2016-2019 volts for free for up to 150k miles 10 years. We have a 2016 volt with 144k miles so we assumed it would be covered. The dealer said it wasn't covered based on my vin but they didn't know why our vin was left out of the coverage. Obviously if they thought our car didn't have a suspect becm, they were wrong because it failed during the special coverage time. The repair is $2600 and gm will not assist us with this repair. …
The contact's son owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to an oil leak caused by a puncture in the oil filter. The vehicle was repaired. The contact's son had informed the dealer that he had been smelling a fuel odor inside the vehicle; however, the dealer informed the contact's son that the odor was probably a burning oil odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel rail was leaking and needed to be replaced. The mechanic contacted the dealer who informed him that the part was on a national backorder. The mechanic replaced the part with a used part; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Volt years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (188), 2018 (51), 2016 (49), 2013 (38) and 2012 (27) model years. Engine complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Volt engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Chevrolet Volt model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Volt engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system › emission control › gas recirculation valve (egr valve) (7 mentions).
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.