2017 Chevrolet Volt: won't start

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · NC

My 2017 Chevrolet Volt, with 97,758 miles, experienced a failure that rendered the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle would not start or operate normally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Chevrolet dealership for diagnosis. After several days, the dealership confirmed that the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) had failed. The dealership quoted approximately $2,500 for replacement, including parts and labor. This failure presents a serious potential safety concern because BECM malfunctions can result in loss of propulsion, reduced power, or an inability to restart the vehicle, potentially leaving drivers stranded in unsafe locations. General Motors has previously recognized BECM failures in certain Chevrolet Volt vehicles and established a special coverage adjustment for affected vehicles. However, despite my vehicle experiencing the same diagnosed component failure, GM informed me that my VIN was excluded from the coverage program. I contacted General Motors directly and opened a case. GM confirmed that my repair would be considered an out-of-pocket expense and advised me to report the failure to the federal safety agency. I believe this failure warrants investigation because vehicles experiencing the same defect should be evaluated regardless of whether their VINs are currently included in GM’s existing special coverage program. The failed BECM has been diagnosed by an authorized Chevrolet dealership. The vehicle’s current repair status and availability for further inspection can be confirmed with the servicing dealership.

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · WA

In March 2026, our 2017 Chevrolet Volt (89,300 miles) would not charge nor start, and had to be towed to an authorized Chevrolet dealership in Portland, Oregon. The dealership diagnosed an internal fault in the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) producing U26XX diagnostic trouble codes, per GM bulletin #18-NA-261, and replaced the BECM under GM Special Coverage N232432680 — GM's field remedy for a known BECM defect affecting 2016–2019 Volts that causes reduced power, no-start, or no-charge conditions (the subject of the federal safety agency investigation PE23022).The remedy failed immediately. On the day the vehicle was returned to us (March 26, 2026), the check engine light illuminated while driving home on public roads, and the vehicle failed to charge that same night — the identical condition it had before. It was towed back to the dealership. The dealership's second work order confirms in writing that the vehicle "will not start after previous repairs and is having the same issues," and attributes the failure to the high-voltage battery contactor. The dealership informed us the part is no longer produced and cannot be obtained, advising that the vehicle be scrapped. Safety concerns: (1) after the repair, the dealership returned the vehicle to us as fixed, and we drove it approximately 26 miles home on public highways in traffic, unaware the defect was still present — the check engine light illuminated during that drive. This defect is the subject of the federal safety agency investigation PE23022 into sudden loss of propulsion, we unknowingly operated a defective vehicle in conditions where that failure could have occurred at highway speed; (2) GM's official field remedy for this known defect (Special Coverage N232432680) failed within hours of being performed; and (3) the parts required to complete the remedy are reportedly discontinued, leaving a known safety defect permanently unrepairable. Supporting documents uploaded: dealer repair orders, and the GM warranty history of the N232432680 repair

Filed Mar 2, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · WA

Three separate high-voltage battery section failures within one year, each causing complete loss of propulsion. Two occurred at freeway speeds on [XXX]. FAILURE 1 ([XXX]): Vehicle lost propulsion. Dealer diagnosed DTC P0AFA (low voltage), failed cell in Battery Section 3. Section 3 replaced under GM Special Coverage N232432680 (BECM, 15yr/150k). Vehicle out of service approximately six months awaiting GM authorization and parts. FAILURE 2 ([XXX]): Vehicle lost propulsion on [XXX] at night at freeway speeds. Required towing. Dealer diagnosed DTC P0AFA, Cell 85 at 1.85V in Battery Section 1 (different section). Section 1 replaced under same Special Coverage. Vehicle returned Jan 28, 2026. FAILURE 3 ([XXX], ~300 miles after Failure 2 repair): Vehicle again lost propulsion on the freeway with check engine light, then progressed to no-start condition. Towed to dealer. Diagnosed Feb 20, 2026: DTC P0AFA, Cell 57 at 1.5V in Battery Section 2 (GM minimum spec 2.5V). Third distinct section failure. Vehicle remains at dealer awaiting GM repair authorization as of filing date. SAFETY CONCERN: Loss of propulsion at freeway speeds is an immediate safety hazard. During the Nov 2025 event, the vehicle lost power on [XXX] at night in active traffic. The progressive failure pattern (three different sections failing sequentially in the same pack, identical DTC) suggests a systemic defect rather than isolated component failures. Prior section replacements have not resolved the underlying problem. Vehicle has been usable approximately 20 total days in the past 12 months. All repairs performed or pending under GM Special Coverage N232432680. GM Case [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 30, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · OH

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 towed to a dealership and apparently repaired after about a week. However, the repair, a software reset, did not fixt the underlying issues, and on 10/27, after having the car for five days, the car again failed on my way to work, displaying a "Shift to Park" message and not starting. I towed the car to the same dealership, and they had it until 11/04. I recovered my car and drove it again to work that same day, but the car failed again due to the dealership not correctly diagnosing the issue, which appears to be the BECM, a failure related to bulletin N232432680. Due to this issue, I was left stranded on a busy highway for several hours on multiple occasions, and have not have a working vehicle since 10/14, meaning I have had to call off of work on multiple days, losing non-trivial amounts of income and undue economic hardship, due to this issue. Neither the dealership nor General Motors have offered any kind of help or support, and have generally attempted to avoid responding to my repeated phonecalls. Prior to this issue, there were no warnings or symptoms that I observed.

Filed Nov 26, 2025 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt D2. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the vehicle on the vehicle did not start. The contact stated that vehicle restarted after an hour. The contact stated the during the second occasion the vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the Battery energy control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Electrical · PA

Approximately 3.5 weeks ago my 2017 Chevrolet Volt (105K miles) would not start and then, when it did, was in "Reduced Power Mode". I had to drive home 25+ miles in this low power mode. I brought to my local mechanic (not a Chevrolet dealership) first. They did a diagnostic and told me the issue was "Battery Energy Control Module" - a known issue in 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts affecting 19,000 vehicles for Chevrolet provided extended warranty coverage for up to 15 years/150,000 miles. See Special Coverage N232432680. I was not able to get an appointment for 9 days at the Chevrolet dealership in Oxford PA. The vehicle needed to be towed there because it wouldn't start. Chevrolet dealership said it was not the Battery Energy Control Module but rather the 12V battery. They replaced battery, I picked up vehicle and paid $525+ for diagnostic and new battery. By the next day, the vehicle wouldn't start again. I brought the vehicle back and they did diagnostic again and this time determined it WAS the Battery Energy Control Module. Dealership said Chevrolet has not included your VIN in the Special Coverage and didn't know why not. I called Chevrolet/GM customer service (800‑222‑1020) and spoke with two people including an escalation supervisor and both said the VIN for my vehicle was not included because it was determined that would not be part of the Special Coverage they've offered. We went round and round and no one will give an answer as to why there is a KNOWN issue for 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts yet my vehicle is being excluded. They said they have no ability to change it and include it in the Special Coverage. If months or years down the road, they determine it should have been included then they'll reimburse me. That answer is unacceptable. Between repairs, initial misdiagnoses and repair and rental car fees, I'm out over $5,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2025 · Transmission · AZ

While driving my Chevy Volt lost power as it disconnected from a full charged battery to gas as the check engine light lit on. The car would then hesitate after stopping at a light/stop sign, losing and regaining power as it gained momentum (which was very dangerous), and would no longer charge. The issue was confirmed by Sun Devil auto repair (diagnosis attached) that this was a known issue with Chevy Volts 2016-2018 and would be covered. I was advised that my VIN was not covered and paid Freeway Chevrolet $2,301.62 (invoice attached with BECM replacement) and would like to be reimbursed. The Chevy Volt's Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) warranty was extended by GM to 15 years or 150,000 miles, from its original 8-year/100,000-mile Volt Component coverage, for 2016-2018 models. This Special Coverage N232432680 addresses potential BECM malfunctions causing reduced power, no start, or no charge conditions. Details of the Extension •Coverage: 15 years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first) from the vehicle's original in-service date. •Affected Models: Chevrolet Volt models from the 2016, 2017, and 2018 model years. •Purpose: To cover issues with the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) that can lead to reduced power, no-start, or no-charge conditions. I contacted Chevy and they recommended I file a complaint since they could not help me or explain why my make/model/year fits the criteria of a known issue and would not be covered.

Filed Sep 18, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · KS

My 2017 Chevrolet Volt is experiencing "a malfunction involving the battery energy control module (BECM)" as diagnosed by the Davis-Moore dealership. This failure of the BECM has now caused "a reduced power mode, a no start condition, or a no charge condition". The car currently does not start or charge. My vehicle has be diagnosed as needing a BECM replacement at a Chevrolet dealership. The vehicle is currently inoperable as it will not charge, it will not engage the electric drive mode, and it will not engage the range extender (engine). The car does not start. GM is showing that there is no active recall or special warranty for my vehicle, however, I believe special warranty N23243268 should apply.

Filed Jul 2, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · 96,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that after arriving at the destination and moving the shifter into park(P), the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact became aware that with the message displayed the vehicle would not start. The contact disconnected and reconnected the 12-Volt battery to reset the system, enabling the vehicle to start. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Battery Energy Control Module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Jun 10, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WI

While driving the vehicle, the car shut down. Thankfully I was coming to a yield at a round about after exiting the Interstate. I was finally able to get it to restart and proceeded on my way. If this had happened on the Interstate myself, and other drivers would be at risk due to unassisted steering and braking. I also have experienced intermittent periods of "Reduction of Power" while on the interstate and other 55MPH plus highways. This presents a hazard to myself and other drivers as well. These issues ARE covered for similar vehicles under Special Warranty Coverage N232432680 as required by the federal safety agency on March 6, 2024. My vehicle also exhibits all of the primary symptoms described in that coverage, but GM claims that my vehicle is NOT covered. CEL is on. Can't charge condition Reduced power No start condition

Filed Feb 10, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · PA

Vehicle slows at times and provides message "Propulsion Power Reduced." At times vehicle will not start and cannot move transmission shifter out of Park.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · TX

N232432680 / PE23022 On some 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Volt vehicles, a malfunction involving the battery energy control module (BECM) may cause a reduced power mode, a no start condition, or a no charge condition. The above safety issue required an extended warranty recall for *all* 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts due to a known issue with failing battery energy control modules (BECM). The warranty was not extended to vehicles sold in CARB states, as the Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) warranty is the same as the extended warranty granted by the federal safety agency investigation which resulted in the extended warranty noted above. (N232432680) However, it GM's practice to decline warranty coverage for a CARB vehicle with the PZEV warranty if it is not longer registered in a CARB state, thereby skirting around the special coverage from the federal safety agency investigation. This is a circumvention of the findings by the federal safety agency and the safety of motorists.