2018 Chevrolet Volt: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Transmission · CA

What component or system failed? When the BCEM failed on my car, it led directly to the transmission failing as well as the PIM. I was driving normally then had a completely inoperable car with no warning. I was told to pay over $17k for repairs by the dealership because there is no recall on the transmission, but I see proof that this is a common issue among Volt users. There needs to be a recall and repair to keep the road safe. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was driving on a busy road to school when my car fully locked up, jerked like crazy, and became inoperable. If I had been somewhere like a freeway instead of in front of a school, I likely would have become badly injured when the wheels stopped even turning. The tow truck even had to use wood under my wheels to get it onto the tow truck. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I took it to the dealership and worked only with them. They replaced the BCEM without charge but have left me with an inoperable vehicle because I am unwilling to pay twice the cost of the car to repair it. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer? Dealership. But also, as mentioned, this is clearly common and needs to be recalled. A 2018 car with 117k miles of gentle driving on a well maintained vehicle shouldn't be failing, and there shouldn't be so many Volts being sold for parts because their transmission failed. This is clearly a dangerous issue related to production and should have a recall. Were there any symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? I bought the car with just under 16k miles in 2021 and within 3 months I had symptoms, but the dealership couldn't figure them out, as they happened intermittently and only in heat, and the dealership always sent me away without repairs. The failure itself happened at 62°, but was foreshadowed by lesser versions of its demise.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · MO

The car can't decide if it wants to use the battery or the engine. It shows zero charge even though it is full. It lurches at stop lights as it tries to decide whether to use battery or engine. It says "propulsion power reduced". "Not able to charge". "Shift to park". Check engine light is on.

Filed Jan 10, 2023 · Transmission · CA

On Nov 21, 2022, after approximately of 10 minutes (5 miles of driving), while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate. The vehicle was in full EV mode in the middle of a busy intersection. The vehicle had a full charge (50+ EV range remaining or 100% total EV remaining). The driver attempted to press down more on the accelerator to no avail. After approximately 5-10 seconds, in the busy intersection, without the ability to make the vehicle accelerate, the driver noticed the vehicle jerk (which occurred 2-3 times) at which point the ICE turned on and provided power to the vehicle, allowing the driver to drive out of the intersection. After several minutes of driving, the driver noticed "Reduced propulsion warning" was noticed/illuminated in addition to "Check Engine Light". After this point, the driver noted that the propulsion felt approximately 20% of "normal propulsion". The driver was also concerned about the ability to drive up very small hills due to reduction of propulsion/power. Upon arrival at the destination (2-3 miles from incident), the vehicle was safely parked, the vehicle's codes were checked with an OBD2 code reader and 19 codes were noted. Given the manifestation and safety issue of the vehicle, the vehicle was towed to Quality Chevrolet in Escondido where it remains as of 1/10/23. The codes collected on 11/21/22 include the following: 1. P0A46, 2. P0AC4, 3. P1E00, 4. P1B0B, 5. P1B43, 6. P1E1E, 7. P0AC4, 8. P1E00, 9. P0A46, 10. P1AF0, 11. P1AF2, 12. P1B0B, 13. P1B43, 14. P1E1E, 15. P1E22, 16. P0A46, 17. P1B0B, 18. P1B43, 19. P1E1E. Per the OBD2 code reader, the primary code was P0A46 (Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor Performance). As of 1/9/23, the dealer has indicated that the primary problem is with the entire Transmission assembly which requires replacement. The replacement assembly is not in stock, is back-ordered and there is no ETA to receive the transmission assembly. The vehicle has 32243 miles on it.

Filed Jun 20, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

Going 80 mph on the freeway with adaptive crusie control on, the car begins to jerk, and the rpm's shoot up and down. The adaptive cruise control disengages, the stabiltrack, abs, and engine light turned on and the car goes into limp mode. As I slow down, the speedometer keeps increasing up to 90. After, I inspected the driver wheel speed sensor and discovered that the sensor tip in the hub had been damaged. The anti-click washer had broken and began cutting the sensor until it failed.

Filed Jun 24, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 12,125 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet volt. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked forward violently, slowed down to 45 MPH, and then stalled. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact immediately powered off the engine in the middle of traffic. The vehicle was pushed over to the side of the road by the police and towed to maher chevrolet (located at 2901 34th st n, st petersburg, fl 33713). The dealer found several failure codes and the transmission fluid pump outlet seal, internal filter, and spacer plate were all replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 9-5251855943. The approximate failure mileage was 12,125.