2017 Chevrolet Volt: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Dec 13, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · WA

The car regularly reports it is healthy and functioning correctly. It is regularly serviced and there was no advance warning of this problem. While driving the car displayed a message to the driver, something such as "reduced propulsion" and the speed of the car was reduced while the internal combustion engine intermittently raced in an uncharacteristic manner. The amber Check Engine light was displayed. A review of error codes later found a communication fault developed with the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). As soon as it was possible, we got the car to the side of the road and shut it off. We then attempted to start the car and it displayed a warning that no key fob was present (but there was a key fob in the car). A few minutes later the car started and we were able to drive it to a service center where error codes were captured. Afterwards, the car drove as normal, and later even the amber Check Engine light was extinguished. The service center explained this could be an intermittent problem where the car will suddenly throw the error message ("low propulsion") and the car will have to be pulled to the side of the road. It will be a few weeks before the service center can do any work on the car. Since the car may start and drive, but suddenly find its speed reduced to far below the speed limit, the car can no longer be safely operated.

Filed Dec 8, 2023 · Electrical · CA

The battery control module failed and it was replaced at the dealership. The low propulsion mode went into effect twice before it failed and I could not drive it in my driveway. The warning lamp was on but it was on for a while before the failure due to low battery on the key fob. Chevy is aware of the problem and there is a class action lawsuit just for the battery control module issue. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 7, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · IN

When turning off the car, after shifting to park, I get a message indicating "Shift to Park". As it is already in Park, there is nothing that can be done. I have sometimes been able to get it to go away by continually starting, shifting to drive, shifting back to park and then trying to shut the car down again. Sometimes I just don't have time to do it and have to leave the car in this state and leave the car. I doubt it could be driven as I have the key fob, but it is on and when I get back, the car is powered up. I am not sure if there are safety implications to this as I don't know the cause of this problem. I have researched on line and this is not unique to my 2017 Volt.

Filed Dec 11, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 37,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 chevrolet volt. On several occasions, after parking the vehicle, it took several attempts to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to pearl motor company (3100 s clark st, mexico, mo 65265, (573) 567-4254) where it was determined that the key fobs needed to be replaced. The key fobs were replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000. *bf consumer stated relay was finally replaced and problem solved.

Filed Oct 18, 2017 · Electrical · 400 miles · CA

I have only had the vehicle for three weeks, but already twice, the vehicle would not recognize the key fob and would not start, lock, or unlock. This happened twice, seemingly randomly, when the vehicle was stationary in a parking lot and turned off. A dealership reprogrammed the receiver in the vehicle yesterday, so we will see if the problem is fixed. But since I saw that I was not the only one who had had this problem, I thought it should be reported.

Filed Aug 22, 2017 · 5,000 miles · UT

At times, the vehicle will not recognize the key fob and will not start, lock, or unlock. This happens seemingly randomly when the vehicle is stationary and off. I can not reproduce the problem, but it happens about 2-3 times a month. It seems that if I get the fob away from the car for about 15 minutes and return, the vehicle then recognizes the key again.

Filed Jul 28, 2017 · 5,487 miles · FL

This afternoon my wife & daughter were out shopping here near tampa--outside temp 'only' 93* today with real feel 108. They returned to the car, unlocked but did not remote start, & placed their packages in the hatch before sitting in the car & closing the doors. My wife tried to start the car & got the message others have gotten about the key fob not being recognized. They tried again to start the car & got the message again & could read enough before it disappeared to put the key fob in the center console. Then the doors locked while the windows were up & they still couldn't start the car. I headed to their location, about 15 minutes away, prepared to break the window. I was about to tell them to call 911 when they said the car was finally able to start & they drove home without further incident.