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Chevrolet Volt abs comes on

18 of the 1,875 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Volt describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2012 model year.

owner complaints
18
worst model year
2012
typical mileage
50,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2018
    3
  • 2017
    4
  • 2016
    1
  • 2014
    4
  • 2013
    1
  • 2012
    4
  • 2011
    1

Often reported together

Check engine light 7Loss of power 2Adaptive cruise 2Tire blowout 1Won't shift 1Power steering loss 1Overheating 1Jerking 1

Trouble codes mentioned

U2603 1P25A2 1C12E6 1C1121 1C0500 1C012E 1

What owners say

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · OH

FAILURE SUMMARY & SAFETY RISK: While operating in live traffic, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power and entered a "Propulsion Power Reduced" failsafe mode, creating a severe rear-end collision hazard. The vehicle is currently grounded and remains available for inspection upon request. WARNING SYMPTOMS & DIAGNOSTIC CODES: The instrument cluster illuminated the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine), the ABS warning indicator, and displayed a persistent "Propulsion Power Is Reduced" message. A diagnostic trouble scan confirmed active high-voltage communication failures and powertrain faults: U2603 (Lost Communication with Hybrid/EV Battery Interface Control Module), P25A2 (Brake System Control Module Requested MIL), and ABS code C0500-00. PRIOR HISTORY & FAILURE TO CURE: This identical high-voltage Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) failure previously occurred in December 2025 at 97,808 miles and was presented to an authorized Chevrolet dealership for repair. The facility claimed the vehicle was repaired, but the exact same catastrophic high-voltage failure recurred in under 4,000 miles (at 101,635 miles). MANUFACTURER POLICY & OBSTRUCTION OF REPAIR: General Motors recognized this hazardous defect under Special Coverage N232432680 (covering BECM replacement for 15 years/150,000 miles at $0.00 cost). This policy links to GM Master Bulletin 07-00-89-037S mandating direct-bill Courtesy Transportation for grounded safety defects. Despite this, when presented for warranty repair, the authorized Chevrolet dealership explicitly refused intake and refused to honor the transportation mandate, stating on the record: "Yes, I do decline". GM Corporate (Case 98734634) admitted coverage applied but failed to compel franchise compliance, leaving a dangerous, immobilized high-voltage hybrid vehicle stranded without access to safety-mandated repair bays.

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Electrical · 95,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that he had experienced a recurring loss of propulsion that would occur shortly after vehicle startup, which was attributed to a failure with the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The failure caused the check engine, ABS, Stabili-Trak, and Forward Collision Avoidance warning lights to illuminate. The contact informed the local dealer of the failure and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer acknowledged that there was a Customer Satisfaction Program for the failure, but the vehicle was not included. The contact was referred by the manufacturer to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · FL

Unknown My car has been accelerating and decelerating on it’s own while I’m driving.I got it checked with Fix Finder and states that my EGR Valve and ABS System failed. I brought it to a mechanic for a repair and I was told that the valve was unplugged so they plugged it back in and cleaned it , and said that everything was fine it said it might also be the cause of the failed ABS System but everything looks fine. After I got it fixed, it’s doing the same again and it’s worse this time. The car is accelerating on it’s own faster than what it did but the dashboard is saying 0mph. I was driving in the highway when it happened and it’s scary so I had to pull over.

Filed Feb 23, 2024 · Brakes · NY

abs system failure due to defect The cause of the condition may be a fracturing of the front half shaft anti-click washer (1) and possible collateral damage to the ABS wheel speed sensor (WSS). this defective $5 part causes thousands of dollars of repair this should be a recall as there are numerous reports of these parts failing and causing the vehicles braking system to be impaired this failure has happened to this vehicle 2 times with in the last 60 days

Filed Nov 29, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 120,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow down, the brake pedal required an abnormal amount of pressure to slow the vehicle. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake pressure modulator valve. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V271000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Oct 9, 2023 · Acceleration, Fuel system · IA

While driving after the electric battery is used and switches over to gas, I have been getting the check engine, ABS, steering, parking, and brake lights. I have lost power steering, lost the speedometer, lost fuel range, lost stabilitrak, it has randomly turned on the emergency brake while all these other things are happening, It also has said “shift to park”, propulsion power reduced. I have taken it to the dealer and they read some of the codes but say they can’t find anything wrong and they need to be able to reproduce the problem to find it. I lost all propulsion and pulled over and turned it off and it stopped with a “clunk.” Then I turn it back on and just the check engine light is on. I’m very afraid to drive it but with the lack of vehicles available to buy and the dealer not knowing how to fix it I don’t know what to do.

Filed Apr 11, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · IL

Several times since I purchased the car in Jan 2022, the left and/or right front brakes have dragged without brake pedal actuation while I was driving in surface street traffic, typically with speed limits of 25 to 35 mph. This has resulted in overheating of the brake caliper, rotor, and wheel. Typically the car can be driven again without issue after two hours of cool-off time. This phenomenon has occurred during both battery/electric and gasoline engine operation of the plug-in hybrid car. There are no instrument indications of a brake malfunction when it happens. It first becomes perceptible as a pulsation through the steering wheel and requires increased throttle pedal pressure to maintain speed. I brought the car to my local Chevrolet dealer after the first two of these incidents. Their first recommendation was a new set of tires to remove the influence of one mismatched tire. The new tires did not resolve the issue, and the dealer has not performed any other corrective action beyond a recommendation to replace calipers and rotors. Due to the intermittent nature of the failure and the fact that it affects both of the front brakes, I believe this is an ABS system issue and not a caliper/rotor issue, and I have not replaced those parts yet. The car's adaptive cruise control does not work properly. It almost always fails to set and shows "Adaptive Cruise Temporarily Unavailable" regardless of road conditions. This condition is intermittent and is not reproducible on demand. This condition is dangerous because it overheats the brake, wheel, and steering components. The heat may have damaged the wheel bearing, steering components, and CV joints. The heat also creates a risk of sudden wheel and/or tire failure while driving. The unexpected application of the brakes affects vehicle response to throttle and steering inputs, and has the potential to reduce driver control of the vehicle.

Filed Jul 16, 2022 · Brakes · VA

brakes locked up durring a panic stop. abs did not engage. abs code C012E-12 Hydraulic Brake Boost Pressure Loss-Low Input

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 16, 2022 · Brakes · MI

Several times over the 2 years I have owned this vehicle while driving an almost complete loss of braking occurs with a service notice for the ABS system. If you turn off the ignition and restart it the braking works fine. I am in the process of having the Electronic Brake Control Module - GM (84070136) and the Brake Pressure Modulator Valve - GM (23283683) replaced. i believe that there is a design flaw in this system in that a problem of the ABS should not eliminating the ability to stop the vehicle. This is costing me $3500, but the point is that loss of braking is a serious safety issue and should be addressed by the manufacturer. Thank you.

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliperReported August 30, 2018 · 210,628 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Recall number 18V576000 · Recall details

Service brakesReported June 27, 2013 · 4 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through April 17, 2012. Due to a brake pressure modulator valve problem, the vehicles do not relieve brake pressure from the front brakes during an anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), or traction control event. One or both front brakes may lock up and not release. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems"' and No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk
If the brakes lock up it could cause a loss of steering control and/or a lengthened distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will install a new brake pressure modulator valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 12, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑866‑694‑6546. GM's recall number is 13184.

Recall number 13V271000 · Recall details

Questions about the Chevrolet Volt abs

Why does the abs come on in the Chevrolet Volt?

Owners who report it most often also describe check engine light, sudden loss of power and adaptive cruise control problems, and the codes they mention most are U2603, P25A2 and C12E6.

Which Chevrolet Volt years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2012 (4 complaints), 2014 (4 complaints) and 2017 (4 complaints).

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