2017 Chevrolet Volt: jerking or lurching

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · TX

My car started having issues with the hybrid system, with fault alerts related to the drive motor control module, hybrid powertrain control module, and battery energy control module in the transmission, and the vehicle is available for inspection if needed. The engine light had been on for about a week, and I was waiting for availability at work to take it to a mechanic. While driving around 70 mph on the highway, a “Propulsion Power Reduced” message suddenly came on and the car started limiting its speed. As I kept driving, the power continued to drop, making it unsafe to stay at highway speeds and putting both me and other drivers at risk since the car couldn’t keep up with traffic and could slow down unexpectedly. I took it to an independent mechanic who confirmed the issue and warned me it was dangerous to drive because the speed would keep decreasing as power dropped. So far, only an independent mechanic has inspected it. After doing some research, I found this is a very common problem with 2016–2018 Chevy Volts, with many people reporting similar situations where their cars lost power or started jerking at high speeds and they had to pull over.

Filed Aug 7, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MA

While driving my 2017 Chevy Volt on the highway, a “Propulsion power is reduced” message appeared accompanied by the CEL. Prior to this there had been no indication that anything was wrong. The warning was quite vague and it wasn’t at all clear what it actually meant so I continued driving. Shortly after this, I began to notice a bit of a “chuggle” or lurching sensation (particularly on hills). This made the acceleration slightly unpredictable, and at one point even triggered the forward collision warning when the car accelerated a bit after I took my foot off the gas pedal (coming up behind another car at a traffic light). I pulled over and attempted to figure out what the issue was. I had a notice regarding the BECM recall in my glove box which listed a reduced power mode as a potential symptom, so I scheduled a service appointment (figuring it was that) and continued my trip. I stopped to get gas, then a mile or two down the road the engine overheated and shut off. By sheer luck I had a few miles of range left in electric mode which allowed me to pull over safely, but I was now stranded over 100 miles from home. I managed to get the vehicle to a dealership in Danvers, MA where they diagnosed the problem as a failed EGR valve. My understanding is this is related to a defect in the valve electronics.The valve failed and blew the F3 fuse, which also supplies power to the engine cooling system. It doesn’t take long for the engine to overheat and it seems this can lead to a complete loss of power while driving when the electric range is already depleted. The valve is currently unplugged while I await a replacement but there is no word on how long that might be. Other Volt owners have had to wait months or even years to get a new valve. The repair quote I received is also unreasonably expensive (> $4,000). I failed my state emissions inspection and am in the process of applying for a waiver. Given how common this is, I'm surprised this isn't already a recall.

Filed Mar 20, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · MA

On [XXX] my 2017 Chevrolet Volt with just 24,000 miles on it suddenly jerked/lost power/revved up while on the highway while using the gas engine--frightening/dangerous -- and continued to do that until I got to my destination. The error read "reduced propulsion". I was afraid of pulling off the highway for fear the car wouldn't restart and I had my 91 yr old mother in the car so we bucked along in the slow lane, the car revving fast, then losing power. It was very frightening and i proceeded with the flashers on. Took car to dealership balise in warwick ri. Tech said it was a bad EGR valve. They told me that GM would cover the repair under warranty but the part was on backorder. I opted to leave the car at the dealership hoping for the best but they said another customer had been waiting since September. They told me to take the car home, but i didnt feel the car was safe to drive. Web search reveals this is a common problem and people are waiting all over the U.S. for this part for over a year. Subsequent phone calls revealed that the part may or may not be manufactured ever again, and the dealership suggested I buy a refurbished part on ebay and have it installed at a local repair shop at my cost --- but that would null the warranty, and seemed risky to me. I asked the dealership to buy my car and they offered me $5k less than fair market value-so I declined. Opened a case at GM and they also had no answer, and offered to give me "points" to buy another GM car. Havent had use of the car since because I'm afraid to drive it with the car revving forward and at the next moment losing power. My car has been sitting in the dealer's lot for over 3 months, while I continue to pay registration, insurance and watch the value of the vehicle decline. Dangerous and GM will not buyback or rectify!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 2, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · TN

My car is lurching very dramatically while on battery-only. Especially over 35-40 miles an hour. I was run off the road last week and am becoming fearful for my safety in this car. I have heard that there may be something wrong with the battery or. BECM.

Filed Dec 17, 2023 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · GA

Consistent BCEM failure with volt. Power Reduced even if battery has full charge and gas is in tank. Forward Collision made unavailable without reason whilst driving. I rely on the forward collision system while driving at night in my area because of drivers cutting each other off constantly, so losing this feature without knowing why it failed feels unsafe to me. Forward collision would also activate when no vehicle is infront of me causing the car to suddenly stop and jerk on the road. Propulsion power is reduced is an extremely common occurrence in my volt. It happens randomly while driving and even while charging. When I'm on the highway the car would slow down when the warning came on; even with cars right behind me. I'm scared one day the car's system will cause an accident because of it's unpredictability. Regular maintenance has been performed and no issues have been found. The problem continues to persist.

Filed Dec 12, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

While driving to work, the vehicle shook a bit and entered into "reduced propulsion mode". The vehicle had a significant reduction in engine power on the road (the propulsion became very jerky), which became dangerous on the highway. There were no previous indicators of any type of issue. After brining the vehicle to the dealership, I was told it would be okay to drive until my appointment (which was scheduled for the subsequent week). Two days later, the vehicle would not start. When attempting to start the car, the "Shift to Park" message displayed. I had to get the vehicle towed to the dealership at that point. The dealership mentioned it is likely an issue with the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). However, I'm still waiting for a resolution.

Filed Oct 6, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Random no starts, engine turns on at random, won’t charge, car jerks, hesitation while driving, hard to climb mountain roads, Battery Energy Control Module Lost Communication With Hybrid/EV Battery Interface Control Module 1-12

Filed Dec 21, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

On Sunday night, I was driving around 65 mph on the 405 freeway to take my friend to the airport. I noticed that the car started to give a weird feedback sensation on the pedals and had started to jerk us forward. As I merged onto the two-lane on ramp to the 10 freeway, the car started to rapidly lose power and then completely died and went dark. I was unable to use the hazard lights as the car had just gone dark but then it turned back on but would not let me shift it into drive. As I was on a two-lane on-ramp with no shoulder in the dark, we just had to pray that no one would hit us. In doing research, I suspect that this was yet another BECM failure that has been repeatedly happening with this year of Chevrolet Volts. There was most recently a class-action lawsuit filed for this very issue. The car is currently at the dealership awaiting inspection but I am terrified to drive that car again if it even becomes drivable. Especially since there were no warning lights or signs on the vehicle to indicate that this could be an issue and to have it die on the freeway in the way that it did, putting my life and many other lives at risk, I am shocked that there hasn't been a recall for this issue.

Filed Aug 13, 2022 · Driver assistance, Transmission · MA

The vehicle stopped on its own without obstacles. The vehicle fails to stop under adaptive cruse control and you have to disengage to stop or it will hit the car in front. When stepping on break during adaptive cruse it lurching forward before breaking takes over causing a hazzard. When you shif to park it doesn't register and will kill battery. Adaptive cruse does not keep it centered in clearly marked lanes.

Filed Oct 4, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · 44,000 miles · CA

Purchased a 2107 volt premier with 40k miles in july 2020. My wife was driving the car and it lost power on the freeway with a "shift to park" warning and check engine light. She was able to glide over to the shoulder and I came to rescue her. After repeated on off cycles I got the car to move a couple of miles with several "jerking" motions while driving then it died again and I lost power braking (went to manual only). This time I was unable to "re-boot it" and had onstar have it towed to a local chevy dealer who has a "certified EV specialist"

Filed Nov 22, 2017 · Transmission · 400 miles · CA · 1 injury

The car will go backwards while in park, specially when the battery is depleted. Late at night I had parked the car in the middle of the street got out and was going to move a trash can out of the way when the car started rolling backwards. I tried to stop it but could not so I had to jump in and put on the brakes just in time before it hit the neighbors car. I got a bruise on my knee trying to get in to the car. I was able to repeat the problem and video tape it as proof. Gm engineering had someone come out from raytheon and check out the car and he along with the mechanic at moss brothers chevy confirmed the problem. They said they could not repair the problem, and they wanted the car back at gm to run further tests on it. They offered to replace the car but I was not satisfied with the price difference I had to pay for the replacement. They had to deliver the car on a tow truck because it was deemed too dangerous to drive. They told me they will not repair it under warranty the service manager said he could not touch it at gm order. I am still trying to figure out a way to replace the car because it is unpredictable how the park and reverse gears will act I have many examples of the problem on youtube and on one occasion the car would not go backwards in reveres and after a few minutes it suddenly jerked backwards at high speed scaring me and my family. Here is the link I provided to gm before they took the car in. Https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=pl7etugmnbo_7jqp6qevydskwi7ooqf5_d I don't want someone to die like the star trek actor who got pined by his car. All this happened a few days after I had purchased the card. The dealership held my car for 30 days before they returned it to me. They did give me a loaner for the 30 days.