2016 Chevrolet Volt problems

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The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid car manufactured by General Motors, also marketed in rebadged variants as the Holden Volt in Australia and New Zealand and the Buick Velite 5 in China, and with a different fascia as the Vauxhall Ampera in the United Kingdom and as the Opel Ampera in the remainder of Europe. Volt production ended in February 2019.

Sales of the 2011 Volt began in the United States in mid-December 2010, followed by various European countries and other international markets in 2011. Global combined Volt/Ampera-family sales totaled about 177,000 units by the end of October 2018. The U.S. is the leading market, with 157,054 Volts delivered through the end of 2019, followed by Canada with 16,653 Volts sold through September 2018. Just over 10,000 Opel/Vauxhall Ampera cars had been sold in Europe as of June 2016. Until December 2018, the Volt/Ampera family of vehicles was the world's all-time bestselling plug-in hybrid vehicle. As of December 2019, the Chevrolet Volt is listed as the all-time top-selling plug-in hybrid in the American market.

The Volt operates as a pure battery electric vehicle until its battery capacity drops to a predetermined threshold from full charge. From there, its internal combustion engine powers an electric generator to extend the vehicle's range as needed. While running on gasoline at high speeds the engine may be mechanically linked (by a clutch) to a generator set, improving efficiency by 10% to 15%. The Volt's regenerative braking also contributes to the on-board electricity generation. Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cycle, the 2013‍–‍15 model year Volt all-electric range is 38 mi (61 km), with a combined electric mode/gasoline-only rating of 62 mpg‑US (3.8 L/100 km; 74 mpg‑imp) equivalent (MPG equivalent).

The second-generation Volt's improved battery system and drivetrain increased the all-electric range to 53 miles (85 km), its EPA-rated fuel economy in charge-sustaining mode to 42 mpg‑US (5.6 L/100 km; 50 mpg‑imp), and the combined city/highway fuel economy in all-electric mode to 106 MPG-e, up from 98 MPG-e. Deliveries to retail customers in the U.S. and Canada began in October 2015 as a 2016 model year.

The Volt has won several awards, including the 2009 Green Car Vision Award, 2011 Green Car of the Year, 2011 North American Car of the Year, 2011 World Green Car, 2012 European Car of the Year, and 2016 Green Car of the Year.

2016 Chevrolet Volt

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Common 2016 Chevrolet Volt problems

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues:

  • Steering Gear Problem: Some owners have reported that there is a steering gear problem, which can affect the car's handling.
  • Brakes Pedal Movement Reduced: Some owners have reported that the brakes pedal movement is reduced, which can be a safety concern.
  • Vibration at Highway Speeds: Some owners have reported that the car vibrates at highway speeds, which can be uncomfortable.
  • LED DRL “Fang”: Some owners have reported that the LED DRL “Fang” has problems, but the specific details of these issues are not provided in the search results.
  • MyLink Infotainment Display Not Booting: Some owners have reported that the MyLink infotainment display does not boot sometimes, which can be a nuisance while driving.

In summary, the 2016 Chevrolet Volt has several common problems based on complaints from owners. These issues range from minor inconveniences, such as rattling interior trims, to significant safety concerns, such as hesitation while accelerating and reduced brakes pedal movement. If you are considering purchasing a used 2016 Chevrolet Volt, it is essential to be aware of these issues and to have the car inspected by a qualified mechanic before purchasing.

2016 Chevrolet Volt engine

Is there a recall on 2016 Chevy Volt?

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

What is the life expectancy of the Chevy Volt battery?

about 6-10 years

The Chevy Volt is equipped with a hybrid high voltage battery, and these types of batteries typically last, on average, about 6-10 years. On the flip side, batteries in conventional, gas-powered vehicles only last about 3-5 years.

Why was the Chevy Volt discontinued?

But low sales and a broader shift to big trucks and SUVs doomed the Volt, which got discontinued in 2019 as part of a wider restructuring at GM. Still, there's no time like the present to admit the error of your ways and put this baddie back into production.

Will a Chevy Volt run with a bad battery?

The Volt requires a working battery in order to operate. When using gas and a discharged battery, the car will pull energy from, and put charge back into the battery as needed. If your battery pack is in fact “dead” the car won't operate.

What are the most common problems with Chevy Volt?

According to thedrive.com, here are a few of the most common troubles in the Chevy Volt:

  • Electrical issues.
  • Loss of power steering.
  • Transmission failure.
  • Whining transmission.

Is there a recall on 2016 Chevy Volt?

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

How long can a Chevy Volt battery last?

The Chevy Volt is equipped with a hybrid high voltage battery, and these types of batteries typically last, on average, about 6-10 years.

How reliable was the Chevy Volt?

The Volt only lasted eight years on the market, garnering plenty of data during its time on the road. Let's talk about the overall reliability of the model before you land on a specific year. According to repairpal.com, the Volt scores ⅘, placing it in 2nd out of 4 alternative vehicle options.

2016 Chevrolet Volt car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Volt problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Electrical system problems
  • Power train problems
  • Fuel/propulsion system problems
  • Engine problems
  • Unknown or other problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 2016 Chevrolet Volt

The NHTSA has received 140 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Chevrolet Volt. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles.

2024-10-15

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while starting and driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Reduced Propulsion" message was displayed. Additionally, after parking the vehicle, the "Shift To Park" message was displayed, and the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact pressed the Start/Stop button and then opened and closed the front driver's side door to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle later failed to charge and start as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 83,574. The VIN was unavailable.
2024-10-14

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-18
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S50GU
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: Faulty micro-switch from factory, causes power surge. Flawed microswitch in transaxle shift cable. Incomplete connection of microswitch resulting higher voltage to PCM.(power control module) This irregularity, shows a DTC code reducing power propulsion during movement. The car will loose power & ability to shift. During driving movement. Quite a safety concern. A "shift to park" error displays on driver display screen. An OBD2 scanner will clear code & after a few attempts remain operational. However intermittent & unpredictable when to expect the loss of traction power.
2024-10-11

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-04
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S50GU
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: My 2016 Chevrolet Volt loses power while driving and the "propulsion power reduced" warning message appears. This has happened multiple times in the past few weeks and it is very dangerous losing power while traveling. After taking it to a Chevy dealer for service, they advised that it was an internal failure of the BECM (battery energy control module) and that it would need replaced. After searching online it appears that this is a common issue with the Chevy Volt models from 2016 - 2019. So much so that GM extended a special warranty to cover this failure up to 15yrs and 150,000 miles. Unfortunately for reasons I still don't understand, I was informed that my vehicle is not covered under this special warranty despite it specifically being the year and model that is affected. My vehicle currently has 93k miles and was purchased in 2016. So I am just outside the original 8 year 100k mile warranty but thought I was covered under this new special coverage given that this is an issue that GM is clearly aware of. I was also shocked to find out that there apparently was never a recall for this issue. My wife and child normally take this vehicle across town at highway speeds and I'm lucky the issue only happened to me. I fear for those who brought their vehicles and are not aware of the issue and will be told that theirs isn't covered as well.
2024-10-09

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-09
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S50GU
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: The vehicle loses power when trying to accelerate when driving in electric mode, and the gas engine kicks on after a second at which point acceleration returns. It occurs when the battery power is high or low. Sometimes a warning pops up on the dash saying speed is limited to a specific MPH.
2024-10-04

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-24
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S52GU
  • Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: Our BECM failed while we were driving. It went into limp mode, not allowing the car over 35mph and with no AC in 109 temps. It was a very scary experience. This is a known issue, but the dealer said it isn’t covered under special warranty.
2024-10-03

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-16
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S56GU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: Took the car in for service to Simi Valley Chevrolet on 8/16/2023 due to the check engine light illuminated on dashboard. They determined that the EGR valve had internally shorted so they unplugged it so as not to take down the rest of the system and placed a special order for the valve. It has now been over one year and they still don't have the replacement part. The car runs rough and occasionally stalls and sputters. I'm concerned that the car could stall while driving and is unsafe.
2024-09-27

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-27
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S56GU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving a warning message stating "Engine propulsion reduced" illuminated, upon this message illuminating the contact drove to a auto parts store. Where the contact proceeded to call the local dealer whom advised her to replace the fuse on her vehicle. The contact then purchased a new fuse, and proceeded to replace the faulty fuse. After 2 days the contact drove the vehicle to the local dealer The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the EGR valve continued to malfunction and that it would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
2024-09-25

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S54GU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve failed. Confirmed by dealer, Culver City Chevrolet, 8/29/2024. Failed EGR valve causes gas engine to emit harmful smog forming emissions. This part is still covered by 10 year, 150,000 mile warranty. However, GM/Chevrolet has not made a replacement available and GM representatives have provided no estimate of when or if that replacement part will be made available.
2024-09-19

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-19
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S54GU
  • Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: Check engine light came on. Moran Chevrolet dealership says the code is related to the EGR cooler and EGR valve. They want me to pay $3,175.23 for these two parts - however, they can't guarantee that I will get the parts as they are on backorder, and no idea when they will get parts. This is outrageous. I asked, "What if the part doesn't come in?" The dealer's response, "Then we will refund your money, but, we will keep $250 for inspecting the car." "And what if I don't fix it?" Their response: "Eventually, your car will stop working." "What if the car is on the freeway and just stops?" Their response is unsettling for me and hopefully every driver on the road: "We haven't seen that type of failure, yet."
2024-09-16

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-15
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S51GU
  • Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving in reverse the warning message "Reduced Propulsion" had displayed and suddenly the power steering failed and the vehicle lurched backward and crashed into a utility pole. During the incident, the driver pressed the brake pedal but the vehicle did not stop. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The daughter was able to drive the vehicle home in "Limp" Mode. The contact later examined the vehicle and diagnosed that the engine battery ECM had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the manufacturer's extended coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 89,800.
2024-09-16

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-11
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S58GU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: Driving to work one morning, I noticed an engine light with a "Propulsion Power Reduced" on my 2016 Chevy Volt. Upon closer arrival to work, the car was behaving quite erratically with constant "Propulsion Power Reduced" errors on the dash. The A/C stopped blowing cold and immediately fogged up the front window, making me unable to see the road. After arriving at work, I could smell what could be described as a burning electrical smell coming from the vehicle, although no fires were seen. Upon checking diagnostic codes, the car had a list of codes pointing to the failure of the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM.) I researched the issue and discovered "N232432680 - Special Coverage Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction" listed by GM and the NHTSA. My Chevy Volt is within the model years (2016-18) and mileage (<150,000) for the special coverage warranty from March 2024. Upon checking with the local GM dealer, they said that my VIN is not included in the special coverage and I must pay out of pocket, even though I have the exact problem described in the warranty and my Volt satisfies other conditions (model year and mileage). I am scheduling a service appointment this week with the local dealer to formally diagnose and repair the issue.
2024-09-12

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-03
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S59GU
  • Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: Vehicle has been to dealership numerous times starting in 2021 to address issue with loss of power between ev and gas. No results were found, but I believe the BECM was failing for awhile. Vehicle has continued to lose power until this year check engine light came on. 12V battery was changed and no change. Dealership said vehicle was fixed. It barely made it home and light came back on. Loss of propulsion message. Vehicle loses all ev charge, will not go over 35 miles per hour, barely makes it up a hill. Brakes and steering are hard to control. Vehicle is not included by VIN for the BECM replacement. Dealership is now saying that is the problem. Dealership is quoting $2500 for the fix. This is very dangerous to drive this vehicle. You have no warning of when car is going to stop or lose power. This is a vehicle that was supposed to be for my teenagers to drive and it is not safe at all. This has been discussed numerous times at the dealership with no solution.
2024-09-06

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-28
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S53GU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Car displayed a lower power mode on dashboard. Approximately 20 miles later car switched from gas mode to electrical battery mode. Fortunately there was some charge remaining in the battery that I was able to get off freeway and charge car for 3 hours to make the 30 miles home. Dealer thinks problem is a defective EGR valve and I am awaiting a part for this repair for 37 days and counting. The low power mode states it is limited to 35 KW of power but I was surprised when the engine cut off to battery mode. If I had used up the battery charge on the first portion of this trip I do not know how suddenly the car would have stopped on freeway.
2024-09-03

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-31
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S53GU
  • Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: While on the freeway, the instrument screen displayed a message about reduced propulsion power, then the check engine lit up. I pressed the gas pedal, but nothing happened. I took precautions and let it rolled over to the side of the road. I turned off the car and turned it back on, and I was able to put it in drive mode, but it still wouldn't move. I also tried reverse, but nothing happened there either. The car was completely disabled, so I had to call a tow truck to take it home.
2024-08-29

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-22
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S5XGU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: The car has experienced a ‘BECM’ failure, which is very common on the Chevy volt. When it fails the car becomes undrivable and will slow down into reduced propulsion mode. It will not start and required us to have it towed to the dealer. The 2016-2019 Chevy volt BECM issue has been investigated by the nhtsa and gm. It is a common enough issue that gm has voluntarily issued ‘special coverage N232432680’. This covers the becm failure on 2016-2019 volts for free for up to 150k miles 10 years. We have a 2016 volt with 144k miles so we assumed it would be covered. The dealer said it wasn’t covered based on my vin but they didn’t know why our vin was left out of the coverage. Obviously if they thought our car didn’t have a suspect becm, they were wrong because it failed during the special coverage time. The repair is $2600 and gm will not assist us with this repair. I have attached a copy of gm special coverage and the bill. This seems to be a clerical error that our vin and maybe others were missed despite the fact our car falls right in the special coverage criteria. I believe this should be a full recall or 2016-2019 volts, especially if the becm has failed.
2024-08-26

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S56GU
  • Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: I'm driving a 2016 Chevy Volt in California that I bought in 2022 from Carmax. In the middle of driving on the highway, the error "Propulsion Power is reduced" alongside the check engine light. In the middle of driving on a highway at 65mi/h, I could not accelerate even though I floored the gas pedal and the car quickly decelerated. This is extremely dangerous especially in the middle of the highway. I had an auto shop look at it and they replaced a fuse and told me it was good to go. When I got it back, I though the problem was fixed but the issue came up again after only 1 week and had to take it to a different shop where I originally bought the car used at ~49k miles (CarMax). It took ~3 weeks before they were able to get it diagnosed at another auto shop. I received this email from them after diagnosis (attached file). A quick search on the internet and it seems a lot of people with this car is having the same issue. Everyone is also having issue with the EGR valve being backordered that is taking a couple months to over a year to get the parts in. Those people are resorting to unplugging the valve and driving as is. I don't want to have to do this either. Please see attached file for inspection report.
2024-08-15

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-03
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S58GU
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: I was driving on the highway when suddenly the car lost power, it was very dangerous. I had to glide to the side of the road. The car will not move forward or back after I stopped, it had to be towed.
2024-07-30

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-07-02
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S59GU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: The EGR valve failed, blew up a fuse, and the internal combustion engine started to overheat and run very roughly and unsteady. I almost lost control
2024-07-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-30
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S51GU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
  • Summary: The EGR valve in the 2016 Chevy volt will fail blowing fuse 3 which will also take out the engine oil pressure control solenoid, the evap emission purge solenoid valve, the engine coolant thermostat heater, and the oxygen sensor 1 as they all share the same fuse. The car will tell you that the engine is unavailable and, if you are out of hybrid battery power, will leave you unable to move the vehicle. In my particular situation it left me stranded blocking one lane on a two lane s-bend road on a 5-9% grade mountainside with no cellphone reception. Thankfully the car stopped far enough away from the previous bend that people had time to see me and I didn't get rear-ended. If I had stopped 20 feet sooner that likely would not have been the case. The replacement part for the EGR valve is impossible to find as it is back ordered everywhere and places that will let you back order it will try to charge $1927 just for the part (no installation service included). If you live in a state without emission checks then you can unplug the EGR valve and replace the fuse but that means your producing more pollutants. Until GM gets their act together and offers affordable replacement parts I don't see another alternative.
2024-07-25

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-07-02
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S58GU
  • Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: EGR valve failed. When switched from Battery to gas car stalled and we were stuck. Dealer said it needs a new EGR valve. But it was on back order. This was a year ago and Chevy still claims the part is on back order! Now the car is ready to renew registration. But it cannot pass inspection because it must have been driven on gas for many miles for the inspection to work! The part is obviously no longer available and Chevy has not offered a solution.
2024-07-11

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-28
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S52GU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Fuse #3 shorts out every time the engine changes from electric power to gas. We have been told this can be dangerous because this fuse controls several important systems in the car.
2024-06-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-26
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S58GU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: The BECM has failed and causes a reduction in engine power. There is a Special Coverage N232432680 for this issue. Dealership Service Center is saying my car doesn’t qualify based on the VIN, even though it matches the year, make, and model on the Special Coverage. GM is failing to cover the issue despite it matching everything on the Special Coverage.
2024-06-22

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-08
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S56GU
  • Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: 2016 Chevrolet Volt with 126,500 miles had a sudden loss of power while driving. Towed to Chevy dealership for diagnostics and was told it needed a Battery Energy Control Module. Doing my own research, I see that NHTSA issued a notification regarding GM coverage for this issue (see below). However, my VIN is not covered. Very conveniently, GM covering only one third of the Volts made in this time frame and this is unacceptable. There should have been a recall but at least they should cover the cost to replace under this special coverage. Losing all power on the road while driving is really scary and very dangerous. Please advise if there is any course of action that NHTSA can take on this matter before I go and spend $3000 to have this repaired. GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS DCS6812 URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY Date: March 6, 2024 Subject: N232432680 - Special Coverage Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction Models: 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volt To: All General Motors Dealers General Motors is releasing Special Coverage N232432680 today. The total number of U.S. vehicles involved is approximately 19,000. Please see the attached bulletin for details.
2024-06-18

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-07-21
  • VIN: 1G1RD6S59GU
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
  • Summary: I was driving in clear weather (with my ICE engine as propulsion) when an Engine Warning Fault light appeared on my dash and the vehicle slowed to 5mph with no response from the throttle pedal. I pulled into a parking lot, had the vehicle towed to an independent service shop, and had them check the codes. There were a dozen faults stored, but they found the 'Non Walk Home' fuse had blown, and faults pointed to the EGR Valve as having faulty electronics. They could not find an EGR valve for sale so they unplugged the EGR Valve and replaced the fuse, which allowed the engine to drive normally again, but with the Check Engine Light on at all times. I called my local Chevy dealer and they told me the EGR I needed was Part Number 12691147 for $243, but they were backordered and there were dozens of people in front of me for their dealer alone. Now, 11 months later, I'm still waiting on the part, I have found hundreds of other Volt owners online with the same issue, and the Part Number has been changed by GM to 19436113, with a price increase of 1100% to $2642. And the part is still not available because of "high demand" on a car that was discontinued five years ago.
2024-06-14

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-31
  • VIN: 1G1RC6S50GU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: There is a propulsion warning due to faulty EGR valves. Many customers are experiencing backorders lasting for up to 6 months or more, just from what I can quickly find online. I am now on my 5-month mark. I have not been able to drive the car at all. Driving it could damage the engine and put drivers at risk. Because many of these vehicles no longer qualify for lemon laws, the manufacturer seems to not take our delay seriously or even care about our limited resources in time and money. (I purchased this used car that was in great condition and passed the inspection for about $13,000 in-full. I am not wealthy so this was an expense I was carefully saving for. I was only driving it for weeks before this happened. I am now hunting for my legal options.) Not only is their response completely unethical and inconsiderate, but some desperate drivers are suggesting to unplug the EGR then replace the fuse. This can damage engines further, disallow us to pass emission tests, and cause possible danger to the driver and others on the road. Chevy and GM need to be held accountable!

2016 Chevrolet Volt recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt.

2017-10-05
  • Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
  • Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
  • Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
  • Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
  • Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.

Negative 2016 Chevrolet Volt car reviews

  1. Eduardo Lang 2024-07-24

    I was disappointed with the car's performance given its cost. Unfortunately, I have had to visit the dealership 26 times in just a few months due to constant breakdowns. The MPG in winter is also quite poor, averaging at 23mpg city and 30mpg highway. In comparison, my previous 1999 Sienna, which was larger and had 379K miles on it, was getting slightly less (18City 28Hwy). While the dealership has been helpful, the constant issues with the car are concerning. On the positive side, the car has great low-end torque and is quick off the line. The radio is also fantastic and the seats are very comfortable. However, there are some downsides. The car uses cheap strut mounts that rattle, and the heat is expensive. Additionally, the car is expensive for the MPG it provides, making it better suited for warm climates. Reliability has been a major issue, and GM support has not been helpful. The resale value is also quite low. Overall, while the car has some positive features, the reliability issues and poor MPG make it difficult to recommend.The electronic parking sensors are designed to beep when something is 20ft away, but they may not detect obstacles that are too close, such as the walls of your garage. The stock tires may not perform well in snow or rain, but switching to non-eco tires may result in lower MPG. Key fob issues have been reported, which can be frustrating and leave you stranded. GM claims that this is due to electrical wires, which may be worth investigating. Overall, it's important to be aware of these potential issues and take necessary precautions.

  2. Emanuel Moen 2024-07-16

    I took the Chevy Volt for a test drive with my daughter, after my son had raved about his test drive. Admittedly, I have a bias toward Toyotas, having driven 3 Toyota hybrids for the past 13 years (Two Prius cars and one Camry hybrid). However, I was excited about the idea of the plug-in and the smooth transition between electric and gas. The car had a snazzy blue color, cool instrument panel, and great sound and climate control systems. Unfortunately, the blind spots were a major issue. The side views were particularly bad, and I almost plowed into passing cars twice because I simply couldn't see them in the side view mirrors. The rear view was also blocked, and even the front was hard to see out of. I felt like I was driving half-blind. The car was less comfortable than any of my Toyotas, and the back seats were cramped. The middle back seat was just a joke, and could only hold a few books or a single bag of groceries. Turning off the car was a bit confusing, and the low fuel warning had me a bit worried. Perhaps my dealer was being stingy or we were going through the electric charge in some major way. I'm not surprised they have the optional technology to tell you if you're about to hit something on the side or in front of you. Overall, I found the driving experience to be a bit challenging, but I can see the appeal of the Chevy Volt for those who prioritize eco-friendliness. However, I personally couldn't wait to climb back into my Camry hybrid!

  3. Tommie Swaniawski 2024-07-09

    Unfortunately, the integrated screen navigation system is not available on the LT version at any price. However, it is available on the Premier version, which only offers two interior color options - black or black and orange (brandy). While some may prefer black, others may find it too hot in the summer. As for the black and orange option, it may not be to everyone's taste. It's worth noting that the Premier version has fewer interior options than the less expensive LT version, which offers a wider variety of colors in both cloth and leather. It's a shame that GM/ Chevy has limited the options on the more expensive Premier version.

  4. Camren Cruickshank 2024-06-10

    Hello! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with the Volt. Living in southern California, we were excited to try out the plug-in electric car and take advantage of the HOV (car pool) lane, even if we were the sole occupant. After driving it a few times, I was impressed with the technology and the electric range. However, my wife and I both found the back seat to be quite cramped and it didn't feel very safe with our heads being so close to the side window. While I'm not typically a fan of the Prius, I do think that Chevy could learn a thing or two about packaging by looking at it. If the Volt was bigger and had more room, we likely would have bought it. It seems like Chevy was more focused on giving it a big electric range at the cost of interior space. Personally, I would have gladly traded 5-10 miles of range for a car that was bigger. Thank you for listening to my thoughts!

  5. Efrain Hermiston 2024-04-19

    The Chevy Volt has proven to be a challenging vehicle to maintain, with complex issues that even experienced mechanics may struggle to address. Despite spending a significant amount on maintenance, I have found the customer support and warranty services to be lacking. Based on my personal experience, I cannot recommend the Chevy Volt to others and have decided to avoid domestic cars in the future.

Positive 2016 Chevrolet Volt car reviews

  1. Karl Connelly 2025-09-28

    If you're looking for a car that won't break the bank on gas but also don't want to rely solely on electricity, the Chevy Volt is a great option. I've only had to go to the gas station once since purchasing it and my mpg is at an impressive 250 since my last fill-up. Compared to the Prius, this car is incredibly sporty and has a decent amount of trunk space, although the rear seats are a bit cramped. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the power and acceleration of this EV. Plus, with Federal and State rebates, the cost is very reasonable.

  2. Kale Beer 2025-09-17

    I purchased my 2016 Chevrolet Volt on January 2, 2016 after researching and test driving every make and model that came close to 30 miles per gallon on the freeway. When I found out that the 2016 Chevrolet Volt was being delivered to dealers soon, I called dealerships within a three hundred mile radius. When the first one was delivered, I rushed down state to test drive it. To say I was instantly impressed would be an understatement. This car is so well engineered and its performance and economy were so outstanding that I instantly ordered a silver LT with comfort package and Bose sound. I now have 13000 miles on the car and have not experienced a single issue. I charge it overnight on 110 (solar equipped residence) and the cost to drive is next to nothing. Previously, I was spending $300 a month on gas. Do you remember when you first got your license and you used to find reasons to go to the store just so you could drive? This car produces the same emotional response. A little sappy, I know, but WOW. GM has designed a wonderful combination of efficiency, technology and performance. It's now February 2017 and I have owned the Volt for a year. The odometer reads 22,000 plus miles and I have not experienced a single problem or issue. It's still quiet, powerful and an immense pleasure to drive. About 89% of my total driving has been all electric. It's now February 2018 and I have owned the Volt for two years. The odometer reads 33,000 miles and it's still efficient, quiet, and powerful. I have not experienced a single issue. I still find reasons to drive the car because it is such a pleasure. Typically, I fill up about 9 gallons of gas about every four months. Yay! It is now August 2019 and the odometer reads 52,000 miles. The only issue I have experienced so far is that the 12 volt 'regular' car battery needed replacement. It's still efficient, quiet, and powerful. There has been no loss of driving range on the lithium battery. I still fill up about 9 gallons of gas every four months when driving locally. I have also driven to Las Vegas and San Diego numerous times and I love not having to worry about charging stations getting in the way. When on gasoline, I get 42 miles per gallon.

  3. Freddie Bernier 2025-09-17

    Hello! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with our 2016 Volt Premier. My wife and I have driven over 42,000 miles in it since we purchased it in July 2016. We've driven nearly 14,000 miles on gasoline in hybrid mode, which is referred to as charge sustaining mode. Overall, we've been getting 48.16 mpg just on gasoline since we bought it, and nearly 148 mpg with electric and gas combined. With a full electric charge in the summer, we can go 60+ miles, and in the winter, we can go 40+ miles. It only costs $1.84 for a full electric charge. Recently, my wife and I went on vacation down the Oregon Coast via Highway 101 to northern California. We left our home with just one full charge of electricity and never charged during the entire trip. We traveled a total of 775.9 miles, with 78.4 of those miles on electricity from that one full charge. We got 53.4 mpg for miles traveled just on gas, not counting the 78.4 miles on electricity, of course. Our Volt was fully loaded with the two of us, and the vehicle weight per Oregon Dept. of Transportation vehicle scale was 4,150 lbs. For comparison, we also have a 2010 Prius. The mpg on the Prius is nearly comparable to the mpg on our Volt when operating just on gasoline. The hatchback design gives us plenty of room to pack and still have room left over for anything we wish to take back with us. The Volt runs on 100% electric, and the gas motor will not start to give you additional propulsion power, which will happen with the Prius Prime, Hyundai Ioniq plug-in hybrid, and Honda Clarity when you operate those vehicles for maximum power. We like our Volt enough to purchase another when the time comes. As of 01/12/2019, we've driven nearly 54,000 miles, with nearly 17,000 miles of that just on gas, regular 87 octane at that. Overall mpg from new just on gas is nearly 49 mpg. Thank you for reading!Recent trips this January have averaged 135 miles, with a gas mileage of 52 mpg and an electric range of 50 miles. It's important to note that this is during the winter season here in Northwestern Oregon on the Coast, which is not conducive to optimal range and mpg on gas. However, during the summer driving season, the range is usually well over 55 to even over 60+ miles on a charge, with a gas mileage of 55+ mpg on those same trips. This is even better than our 2010 Prius at times! It's worth mentioning that our 16 Volt is still going strong on the original factory tires, Michelin Energy Saver AS, and we use 0W-20 Mobil One synthetic motor oil in the engine crankcase.

  4. Eliseo Dooley 2025-09-10

    The new Volt is a significant improvement over an already impressive small hybrid car. It boasts a longer EV range, bigger charger, more power, quieter ride, and better handling. Almost all the quirks of the 2013 Volt have been addressed, resulting in a 100% new car. In my opinion, it's the world's finest 'green' car, offering the perfect balance of price, features, performance, and cargo space. I'm happy to report that we liked our first two Volts so much that we added a 2017 model with all the advanced safety features and Adaptive Cruise Control, which everyone loves.

  5. Green Pfeffer 2025-09-05

    I've been the proud owner of my Volt (LT trim with leather) for two months now and I absolutely love it! The modern and sleek styling is a real head-turner and the car is incredibly quiet. The acceleration is fantastic, much better than the competition (Prius Prime). I really appreciate the regen braking with paddle option and the handling is great - it sticks to the ground with very little body roll. I never have range anxiety as I have gas backup that can go another 350 miles. I also love having the HOV lane sticker to zoom past traffic. The CA rebates and federal tax credits adding to almost $10K made this a no-brainer. My only minor complaints are: 1) The car is low to the ground, so sometimes I scrape the bottom of the car if I go off a curb ramp or over a speed bump too fast, 2) Rear visibility is not so good with the small rear window and big rear corner pillars, 3) The rear seat is a bit smaller with a middle hump, but it's okay for small adults and kids, 4) Trunk storage is a little small. Overall, despite these minor complaints, I absolutely love the car and feel I made the right decision given my daily commute (35 miles each way) compared to other plug-in electric cars like the Prius Prime and Nissan Leaf. Update: I've driven the car 13k miles and everything is still going great, saving gas. I had my first oil change at 10k. The only issue I've had is that Android Auto sometimes refuses to connect when I plug in my smartphone to the USB and connect Bluetooth. Update 6/30/18: I now have over 25K miles and everything is still driving well. I got my second included oil change and tire rotation service at 20K. There was one warranty repair needed where the shifter assembly got replaced because the car didn't recognize the park position and wouldn't turn off. That was annoying as I had to shift back and forth many times before being able to turn off the car finally. Overall, I'm still very happy with the car. Update 1/1/2018: I've crossed the bumper warranty expiration mileage and I'm still very happy with the car. It still drives great and quiet, with a similar electric range of about 57 miles. My only concern is GM's announcement of no longer making the Volt as of March 2019.I hope that spare parts and repair expertise availability will not be an issue in the near future. Just wanted to give an update on my car - it's still driving great with no major issues! I have noticed that my electric range has declined from 57-60 miles when I first bought the car to currently 50-53 miles, but it still meets my needs for my 35 mile commute. The only major change I've made was getting new tires at 45000 miles, and I still need to rotate them every 7500 miles. Since GM has discontinued making new Volts, I still have concerns about any negative impact on spare parts or support at the dealer, but so far I haven't seen any issues. In March 2020, I replaced the 12V battery and shifter assembly for the second time due to a common issue covered under the Voltec warranty. I also completed one recall service for GM# N192273600, which involved replacing the emissions pipe as it was too worn. Overall, I'm still very happy with the car and it's fun to drive. Even though the Volt has been discontinued, the dealer support has been great so far. At 75K miles, it's still running well and I'm getting about 45-50 miles per charge. I had one recall work completed for reprogramming the board for increased notice before a battery failure. At almost 80K miles, the car is still driving great. I changed the tires to Continental ExtremeContact DWS06, which are awesome all-season traction tires. The electric miles per full charge have reduced to about 40 miles, but it's worth it for better handling and peace of mind in wet weather driving.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2016 Chevrolet Volt problems:

Big problems with 2016 Volt? | GM Volt Forum
Big problems with 2016 Volt? | GM Volt Forum
https://www.gm-volt.com/threads/big-problems-with-2016-volt.220498/

Jan 16, 2016 ... We leased a 2013 Volt and just turned it in. Great car never a single problem other than GM recalls, and one oil change. Average 161 miles ...

Thoughts about a 2016 chevy volt with 102,000 miles(165,000 km ...
Thoughts about a 2016 chevy volt with 102,000 miles(165,000 km ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/volt/comments/lf4p2h/thoughts_about_a_2016_chevy_volt_with_102000/

Feb 8, 2021 ... Don't be afraid of buying used cars. Most have common issues and you're in the right place to find them. If you can save a little a month for ...

2016 Volt with Many Problems | GM Volt Forum
2016 Volt with Many Problems | GM Volt Forum
https://www.gm-volt.com/threads/2016-volt-with-many-problems.344272/

Jul 27, 2022 ... 2016 Volt with Many Problems · 1. A/C won't get cold but fan works. · 2. Display is black and won't turn on. I can change radio stations using ...

Volt Reliability : r/volt
Volt Reliability : r/volt
https://www.reddit.com/r/volt/comments/db3u5c/volt_reliability/

Sep 30, 2019 ... I had noticed Consumer reports gives the Chevy volt a fairly negative review on reliability. It does seem to have some issues, but how severe ...

Common Problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Volt — Valero Law ...
Common Problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Volt — Valero Law ...
https://www.valerolaw.com/car-problems/chevrolet-problems/chevrolet-volt/2016-chevy-volt-problems

There is a potential safety issue if someone believes the vehicle is parked and exits the vehicle and the car is left running. Potential Driver Confusion on the ...

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