Chevrolet Volt brake failure problems

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Brakes · CA

A "service brakes" warning came up when I was parked in a parking lot and immediately afterwards the brakes stopped working when I was reversing in the parking lot and I almost backed up into another car. I had my car towed to Paradise Chevrolet and they diagnosed the problem as a faulty "brake pressure modulator valve" (BPMV) that needs to be replaced. I saw that there is a recall for the 2012 Chevy Volt for the same issue, faulty BPMV.

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Brakes · OH · crash

I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake. When the light turned green, I released the brake and the car suddenly accelerated forward on its own, without me touching the accelerator. As soon as the car surged forward, I immediately pressed the brake pedal hard to stop it but instead of slowing down, the car continued to accelerate. It felt like pressing the brake was making it worse. The car was totally out of my control. The vehicle collided with tow truck and even after the impact, the engine was still revving as if it was trying to keep going. I had to shut the car off to stop it completely. There were no warning lights or error messages before or during the malfunction. The front end of my car was damaged in the crash. No one was injured, but the malfunction could have easily caused serious harm or death. This was not user error it was a terrifying mechanical and electronic failure. The car accelerated on its own and the brakes failed or possibly triggered more acceleration. I have never experienced anything like this. After looking online, I found other Volt owners reporting similar problems involving brake assist failure, unintended acceleration, and stuck revving. This looks like a serious pattern that deserves urgent attention. I’m asking the federal safety agency and General Motors to immediately investigate this issue. I want to know if there are any recalls, technical service bulletins (TSBs), or known defects related to brake failure or unintended acceleration in the 2011 Chevy Volt. Please contact me with next steps. This is a major safety risk that could easily result in fatalities if not addressed.

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · TN

On [XXX], our 2018 Chevy Volt experienced a critical BECM (Battery Energy Control Module) failure while being driven by our [XXX] daughter. The failure caused the vehicle to enter limp mode, resulting in a severe loss of power and the inability to shift properly. Most alarmingly, the brakes failed to function correctly—despite being fully engaged, the car continued to move forward at a red light, placing our daughter in immediate danger. She was only able to safely stop the vehicle by maneuvering it off the road into a parking lot. This BECM defect is a well-documented issue for Chevy Volts from 2016 to 2018. However, Chevrolet has refused to cover our VIN under the existing special service bulletin, despite our vehicle using the same faulty part number as those included in the recall, and has provided no explanation for this exclusion. As a result, we are being forced to pay $2,100 out of pocket to replace a part that GM knows is defective. This is an unacceptable financial burden for a safety-critical issue. GM should immediately issue a recall for all vehicles equipped with this faulty part number to ensure the safety of all drivers and prevent further undue costs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 19, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · IN · crash

Grandson was driving and went to brake to make a turn and the engine not available light came on and he had no brakes. He was unable to slow and take the turn and hit a truck in the front driver quarter panel which resulted in the car being a total loss.

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.

Filed Dec 2, 2019 · Brakes · 39,600 miles · SC

After diagnosing an audible tick/click sound that occurs whether the car is powered on or off but stops momentarily when the brake pedal is applied, I was told the electric brake booster is bad and must be replaced. But gm has no parts available. I was told to drive the car and if the part fails completely, I will have no brakes at all. It has been over 3 weeks and there is no eta on parts.

Filed Sep 12, 2018 · Brakes · 4,100 miles · WA · crash

Collision occurred on e denny way in seattle, approx 3:20 pm on a downhill slope in stop-and-go traffic after about 20 minutes of constant brake use to hold back the car. About 2/3 of the way downhill the brakes failed, no resistance whatsoever and the car rolled into the vehicle in front, a distance of about 15 feet. This was a one-off incident and did not recur so far. Gm and 3rd party inspectors found no error codes, but the brakes indeed failed, which makes me suspect a design problem in the brake-by-wire system that controls the pedal pressure and modulated regenerative braking. It was like sliding on ice, no traction whatsoever.

Filed Mar 13, 2018 · Brakes · 31,000 miles · MN

We bought a used certified california lemon from a chevy dealer in wisconsin 2 years ago. They claimed the car came from california and result of its 3 strike lemon law. They claimed the brake system had been totally replaced. As of today we have had total brake failure twice, first time they again replaced the complete brake system. Right not the car is at the dealer, waiting to here back. The dealer claims this is the second volt this week with the same issue. To our knowledge this has now happened 5 times with our car, twice with us and three times prior in california.

Filed Feb 28, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 66,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

While driving in rush hour traffic this chevy volt's entire electrical system crashed causing me to crash right along with it. No brakes (antilock braking system fail)no steering or horn even worse...no air bags.... Results: multi-car collision with no fatalities but, several injurys.

Filed Sep 28, 2016 · Brakes · 14,000 miles · CA

While backing up at low speed, my wife applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor, she lifted her foot and applied the brakes and once again the pedal went to the floor. The car did not slow or stop. The speed was so low that the car came to a stop on its own when there was a small rise. The indicator light said "low traction". This occurred in a private parking lot. The car was backing straight with no steering.