2018 Chevrolet Volt problems
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.
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Common 2018 Chevrolet Volt problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Chevrolet Volt 2018, several common problems have been reported:
- In-car Electronics Issues:
- Complaints include issues with the infotainment system, rear entertainment system, backup cameras/sensors, and head-up display.
- Specific problems reported include difficulties with the transmission not recognizing the gear shift to park, false passenger side seatbelt warnings, and charging system defaults not adjusting correctly.
- Owners have also mentioned issues with the FM radio, weak reception, and connectivity problems with devices like the iPhone XR.
- Transmission Problems:
- Owners have reported issues with the transmission, such as reduced movement of the brakes pedal, hesitation while accelerating, and whining transmission noises.
- Some complaints highlighted problems with shifting to park and the transmission not recognizing the correct gear position, leading to difficulties in shutting off the car.
- Battery and Charging System Concerns:
- Complaints related to the battery energy control module (BECM) have been raised, with reports of sudden loss of power, failure to restart, and reduced power mode.
- Some owners faced challenges in obtaining replacement battery modules, leading to extended wait times and operational issues with the vehicle.
- Infotainment System Malfunctions:
- Issues with the infotainment system have been noted, including the system not booting up at times, requiring replacement, and poor radio reception compared to other vehicles.
- Connectivity problems with Apple CarPlay and issues with the MyLink infotainment display not functioning properly have also been reported.
- Steering and Gear Problems:
- Complaints regarding steering gear problems have been mentioned, with instances of lost power steering while driving and steering gear issues affecting the vehicle's performance.
- Owners have reported vibrations at highway speeds, which could be linked to steering or suspension components.
These common problems reported by owners of the Chevrolet Volt 2018 highlight various issues ranging from electronic malfunctions to battery and transmission concerns. Addressing these issues promptly and ensuring proper maintenance can help mitigate potential risks and enhance the overall driving experience of the vehicle.
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.
How long do 2018 Chevy Volt batteries last?
between 3 to 5 years
Your 2018 Chevy Volt battery will usually last between 3 to 5 years, but that can fluctuate heavily depending on type of battery, weather conditions battery size, and driving habits. Even still, just because your battery isn't absolutely dead, doesn't mean it's operating properly.
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.
How many miles should a Chevy Volt last?
According to motorandwheels.com, a typical Chevy Volt will last 200,000-300,000 miles. Anything from driving in strange weather to natural aging will impact the lifespan of your machine. It's critical to take care of your Volt and it will care for you.
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.
How long do 2018 Chevy Volt batteries last?
between 3 to 5 years
Your 2018 Chevy Volt battery will usually last between 3 to 5 years, but that can fluctuate heavily depending on type of battery, weather conditions battery size, and driving habits. Even still, just because your battery isn't absolutely dead, doesn't mean it's operating properly.
What is the controversy with the Chevy Volt?
Power or reduced power mode occurred parent company General Motors previously issued a technical service bulletin. Saying if Vehicles fail to restart. The becm may need to be replaced.
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.
2018 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:
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2018 Chevrolet Volt
The NHTSA has received 165 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Chevrolet Volt. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicles.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-14
- VIN: 1G1RD6S59JU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: On [XXX], while driving on [XXX] in Virginia, the check engine light came on in my Chevy Volt. A message on dash said that there was reduced propulsion, and the gas engine quit running. The car switched to battery power, which would not have lasted long enough to get us home. At this point, we were stranded on a very busy highway which seemed quite dangerous. Using battery power, we were able to get off the highway. We then made arrangements to have the car towed, approximately 150 miles to a car dealer/repair business in Frederick MD. The vehicle was checked out by the car dealer who identified the EGR valve as the problem. However, they did not know when the part would be available , and still, 4 weeks later, do not have any date for availability of the broken part. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-18
- VIN: 1G1RC6S51JU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: On 9/18/24 I was driving my Chevrolet 2018 Volt on a freeway, traveling at approximately 55 mph while starting to exit the freeway. In the middle of fast-moving traffic, on the freeway offramp and starting to decelerate, the car suddenly displayed a message saying "Propulsion Power is Reduced." A micro-second later, the displayed message changed to read "Action Required: Shift to Park" and in that moment I lost control of the car's powertrain. I continued to break, coming to a slow stop in the middle lane of a multi-lane offramp, with other cars speeding past and around me. I attempted to power the car down and reboot it, moving the gear shift into "Park" position as instructed, but nothing changed. The car remained totally inoperable. I was on a slight decline and noticed the car moving forward pulled by gravity, so I steered the car to the farthest right of the offramp/parallel street, where I put my hazard signals on and requested the car be towed to a mechanic. I was endangered because the car lost entire propulsion while in the middle of fast-moving freeway traffic, and fellow motorists were endangered as well. I have learned that this same behavior occurs routinely with 2nd generation Volts; that there is a special bulletin related to the car's BCEM *and* a related class-action lawsuit posed against GM/Chevrolet. I requested Chevrolet take preemptive action to repair the BCEM, as I am fearful the issue will repeat and cause additional danger to myself and fellow motorists, but Chevrolet says they cannot repair the part until it is diagnosed as defective... which will occur when/if the part fails again, and I'm already in danger.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-04
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G1RC6S50JU
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: while driving my vehicle when the outside temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below I turn my defrost on and for 30 plus seconds my front window completely fogs up and I am unable to see out of my front window and have zero visibility which caused me to crash.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-30
- VIN: 1G1RA6S51JU
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: On 8/30/2024 I had driven my 2018 Volt (purchased new on 3/27/2019), with about 45,000 miles on it, on a normally 5 hour trip. About 3 hours into my trip on I-94 my car suddenly slowed down with a "Reduced Propulsion" message and a check engine light that came on. (The engine probably has run less than 25,000 miles of the total miles I have driven it, with the rest being purely on battery.) I was extremely fortunate to have been in the slow lane when the car suddenly stopped accelerating. This could have easily turned out very, very bad. The next day I had a dealer diagnose the car for a little over $400 - they told me there was a problem with my engines EGR valve and that the parts were back ordered so they couldn't give me an indication of when it could be repaired. I got the car back to my home dealer and they charged me another $200 to re-diagnose the problem and came the same conclusion of a bad EGR valve. They too have been unable to get a valve from GM. They have quoted me about $4,000 to have a new valve installed when they can get one. Heck, the car only has 45,000 miles on it!!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-21
- VIN: 1G1RC6S55JU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: While driving our 2018 Chevy Volt, dashboard warning message “Propulsion Power Reduced” displayed. Vehicle performance was not otherwise affected. Subsequent diagnosis from our Chevy Dealer was, among other things, a faulty Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve. We were informed that our vehicle was “no longer safe to drive in this condition” and the vehicle has been sitting on the Dealer’s lot awaiting a replacement part for 2 months and counting, with no expectation of near-term resolution of our problem. We are aware that this is a widespread problem on 2017-18 Volt models, with many dissatisfied owners.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-24
- VIN: 1G1RC6S53JU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: lost power when battery power used up and gas engine would not switch over on highway. car would not re-start and died in the middle of highway
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-28
- VIN: 1G1RC6S54JU
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I think this is an EGR or BECM issue. Yes, the car is available for inspection. I plan on calling the local dealership soon. The car loses speed and does not respond to the accelerator. It must be turned off and back on again to function properly. This is very dangerous when it happens in traffic. The check engine light comes on, and a reduced propulsion message has appeared. This has happened several times over the past couple of weeks. Each time, I was driving in normal mode, using electric power. Suddenly, the electric range displayed zero miles left, the gas engine turned on, but the car lost speed and would not respond to the accelerator. I have not had it inspected because I don't know how to force it to replicate. I don't want to pay for the dealership to diagnose a problem they won't find.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-18
- VIN: 1G1RA6S50JU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) value has failed after only 20,000 miles of engine usage in my hybrid car. This is a highly-common part that fails and when it fails it shuts the engine down while driving; which leaves the driver stranded. General Motors does not have the part available to purchase and has been on backorder for nearly 4 years. They do not have a resolution and they are not recognizing the GM Service Bulletin that was released 21-NA-116 in Feburary 2023. This is unacceptable. The dealership wants thousands of dollars for a $150 part (that you can't purchase).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-29
- VIN: 1G1RB6S56JU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Car has shift to park error where the shifter is in park but the car not does not recognize and refuses to shut off. Chevrolet has issued multiple service bulletins in regards to fix but dealership is not adhering to bulletin. Chevrolet then provides no support to the consumer in regards to correcting and places warranty information within service bulletin which is not standard procedure as told by multiple reps
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-08
- VIN: 1G1RD6S54JU
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I have had 3 separate "Low Propulsion" warnings pop up, in combination with a check engine light, in the last 9 months. Everytime I take it to the dealership, they say it was a same code, and something to do with the oil valve. They repair it, and 3 months later it happens again. Going in for my 4'th repair soon, but I just saw there was a recall issued on the BCEM, but apparently it only applies to certain VINs? I have seen online posts from people saying they had to call GM to get them to approve the recall for their vehicles. Why would it only be certain vins?
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-13
- VIN: 1G1RB6S59JU
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Reduced Power/Low Propulsion warning, Check engine light. Car may experience reduced power. Could be hazardous at high speed. Dealer diagnosed vehicle and found bad EGR valve. Part is on back order with consumers waiting months even years for replacement part
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-26
- VIN: 1G1RD6S52JU
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Failed EGR Valve. While I was driving, I got a "Propulsion Power Reduced" message and "Engine Unavailable." My car slowly began losing power, leaving me with about 30 seconds to safely pull over. I had it towed to the dealer and they diagnosed a faulty EGR valve. This seems to be a widespread problem with the Chevrolet Volts. To make matters worse, the replacement part is extremely hard to find, with many people waiting on backorder for over a year.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-01
- VIN: 1G1RB6S56JU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Our Volt EGR valve has gone bad and car not drivable. They claim these have been on back order (very expensive) for a year! They also say it's NOT part of emissions! WTH? Car gas 36k HELP!!
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-26
- VIN: 1G1RA6S52JU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: On [XXX] while driving with my son in IN on [XXX] to my niece's wedding in PA, a reduced power warning sounded on the driver's console. Was able to stop and get gas at the eastbound travel plaza near mile marker [XXX]. Getting back on the road and accelerating toward 70 mph, suddenly lost all drive power. The fuel gauge side of the console was lit in yellow and said something like "No fuel detected." Pulled over to the shoulder and found the engine would start, run, and then die. An IN State Police Officer was kind enough to offer us an escort to the next exit near mile marker [XXX]. Noticed that the engine would remain running for longer periods and finally stayed on continuously. While being escorted, was able to run the speed up to 55 mph and made it safely to the interstate exit. During this time my son was checking online and found that the problem might be due a blown fuse. At the [XXX] exit we found a Pilot station that carried fuse sets. One of the sets had the fuse we needed. We bought two sets. We replaced the fuse--it had blown--and the car ran well again. This fuse is called "No walk home." We were able to continue on at 70 mph until stopping at a friends home in western PA for a few hours rest. While at our friend's home we partially charged the Volt's battery giving us about 20 miles of electric range. While in electric mode we stopped for gas. We drove through the mountains without incident then stopped for gas again in central PA at the Cumberland Valley Service Plaza. Filled the tank and while accelerating from the plaza again lost power and had to pull over. Replacing the fuse solved the problem once more. It appeared that turning off the engine while in gas mode and then turning the engine back on leads to the fuse blowing. That Sunday on the return trip to IL, I never turned the car off when refueling. This got me back home without incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-07
- VIN: 1G1RC6S58JU
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Engine Not Available" was displayed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted and was towed to a local dealer where a reset of the engine code was performed. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road, and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was advised that the battery of the engine control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure with the Technical Service Bulletin: 18-NA-261 (Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated and/or Intermittent No Start with Battery Circuit DTCs Set); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-19
- VIN: 1G1RD6S5XJU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Shift to park issue. Known issue with 2018 Volts but dealer is charging diagnostic fee when they know it is the issue because it displays shift to park when you try to shut car off. There is a bulletin stating this 19-NA-206. It states the Voltec warranty covers this but dealer states it is not. Dealer is West Herr Chevy, East Syracuse. Had to wait two weeks with the problem and then they left me stranded at the dealer ship because they did not fix it. This dealer had computer issues and sent service home early and left me without a ride home when I returned. GM needs to notify these dealerships that this problem is covered.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-26
- VIN: 1G1RC6S57JU
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: While driving on the highway, the EGR valve in my car malfunctioned, initially causing my dashboard to read "Propulsion Power is Reduced". After continuing to drive the car, the dashboard read 'Engine not available, service soon', where it stalled and we had to restart the car. After restarting, the car went into EV mode with significantly reduced speed. Our safety was put at risk due to the initial stalling and subsequent reduced speed on the highway. The problem has been reproduced since the initial incident and our dealership confirmed the problem relating to the EGR valve which continues to blow fuses when the engine is over-exerted while using gas. The dealership said that this is covered under warranty however, there has been a 5-year back-order on the part and they are refusing to offer any loaner car or compensation for a rental car.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-08
- VIN: 1G1RB6S51JU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted each time, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the EGR valve needed to be replaced and 40 unknown DTC codes had been retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- VIN: 1G1RC6S54JU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: When attempting to power down car after shifting into park, message states shift to park. Car cannot be locked or secured.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-18
- VIN: 1G1RA6S52JU
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: While driving in August 2023, the vehicle seemed to lose acceleration power and a warning regarding the reduced propulsion appeared. The vehicle was taken in to the dealership and the diagnosis was that the EGR valve needed to be replaced. Still waiting on the issue to be resolved as GM doesn't seem to have the part required to fix the problem.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-16
- VIN: 1G1RC6S5XJU
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The "module" that controls the engine's charging of the battery failed and the car quickly went into reduced power mode and then quickly shut down altogether this happened within a mile or so. Fortunately this happened on a parkway where I could get to the curb safely. However, I had just come off [XXX] in St. Louis with very heavy 65 MPH traffic, and had it shut down a few miles earlier I would have been in real trouble. I understand the NHTSA has opened an investigation into this type of problem with the Volt, but I have also heard that G M is reporting they have the parts to fix cars that are affected. This is not true! I live in Lenexa, KS, and my Volt is at ELCO Chevrolet in Baldwin MO. The service representative told me on [XXX] the part I need is "on backorder" and he has no idea when the part might be supplied to him. Apparently, GM does not have this part anywhere in the world, a part without which the car will not move. This is inexcusable! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-09
- VIN: 1G1RC6S51JU
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: My 2018 Chevy Volt displayed a warning message of "Propulsion Power is Reduced" on the dash when I started the car in a parking garage on Saturday, March 9th around 10am. The car would not drive normally and made a strange noise. I had to stop and start the car six or so times before it drove normally for me to get home. Had this happened at high speed, it could have caused an accident or worse. I contacted the local Rockville, MD Chevrolet dealership and they ran the diagnostic test on the BECM and HPCM2 systems and performed battery capacity reset. I do not believe this software reset will correct the technical issue. According to the dealership records, such a software reset was performed in 2021 by the previous owner before we purchased the car second hand in July, 2022. The dealer would not replace the BECM unit but there is supposedly a special coverage bulletin issued by General Motors. We need the unit replaced ASAP for safety.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-13
- VIN: 1G1RB6S56JU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Ten mile trip with 60% battery charge (about 30 mile range indicated, full tank of gas). Check engine light appeared. "Propulsion Power Reduced" appeared and cleared after restart at traffic light. Total loss of power at highway speed, "Shift to Park" appeared. "Power Off" appeared on energy display, coasted to shoulder and was unable to restart vehicle after multiple attempts.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-20
- VIN: 1G1RA6S58JU
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: While driving, an engine warning "Reduced propulsion Message" came on. Then it said " Engine Unavailable". The car would not go to gas engine. We panicked as we were 20mi from home and only had a few miles of electric left. I was able to drive to the nearest Chevrolet Dealership. It has been sitting there parked for 2 months. Uncharged. We are told that the problem is the EGR valve but no part is available anywhere. It is a known problem but GM has no parts available to fix. I am not getting any answer as to how long it may take to get the part. Meanwhile, I am without a vehicle. I only have approx 25,000 on the car. We have not been given a replacement car or been given any clear response from GM or the Dealership as to how long this may take to locate a part.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-08
- VIN: 1G1RC6S50JU
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Main Issue: Ongoing issue with stuck caliper causing the pads and wheels to overheat increasing the tire pressure to dangerous levels. The regenerative braking system is actually very effective in slowing the car when driven in L mode. If driven smartly, driver rarely have to use a lot of force using the physical brakes and rotors. Three times now, I have had issues where the front calipers were seized and the brakes were stuck causing the wheels to have visible smoke, odors and extreme temps. Perhaps they are not being used as much as normal brakes but service was done at the dealership on both cases, only to have the issue return within a year on a low mileage car. Looking at online forums, this appears to be a common issue with the Volt. Often the High Pressure Accumulator (HPA) is not properly reset during a brake job. [XXX] I have had other non EV cars with regular brakes that worked fine for > 50k miles before service, so there is clearly an issue here. Ironically, as these brakes caliper/pistons/rotors are less used due to regen, the chance of them getting stuck seems to be an issue when they are actually engaged leading to dangerous conditions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2018 Chevrolet Volt recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2018 Chevrolet Volt.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact 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 18315.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
Negative 2018 Chevrolet Volt car reviews
Positive 2018 Chevrolet Volt car reviews
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This hybrid does all that I expected. It looks sporty and the transition from engine to electric is smooth, with just a very slight change in sound. The acceleration is snappy if needed and the noise level is very good. Since most of my driving is local, I use electric alone, but if I need to take a longer trip, the mileage is good and I don't need to worry about finding recharge stations.
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The Volt is a solid plug-in. It's great to hear that you find it reliable and that the mileage is amazing. It's also reassuring to know that you have the engine as a reserve for charging the battery. It's clear that you love your Volt, and we're glad to hear it!
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It's great to hear that you're still learning! Keep up the good work!
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I have owned and operated this vehicle for two and a half years since purchasing it new. It has been an absolute pleasure to drive, with its comfortable and quiet ride. I have driven 10,500 miles in the past 2 1/2 years, with 90% of my driving in electric mode, and have only used about 25 gallons of gas. The Volt provides a very enjoyable ride with sufficient acceleration when required. By the way, I have owned two Lexus in the past twenty years, a new 2002 RX 300 and a 2004 SC430 Convertible coupe, both of which I enjoyed very much. However, the Volt definitely deserves its place among these vehicles as far as excellence in an automobile goes.
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I'm so glad to hear that you love the regenerative braking!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Chevrolet Volt problems:
Hesitant to buy 2018 Volt : r/volt
Feb 3, 2023 ... So yes, every car can have issues, it's not equal, not even close. This isn't my first Chevy either, and both of my chevys have been my least ...
2018 Chevy Volt Problems & Complaints: Info for California Drivers ...
This is a big issue because some of the 2018 Chevy Volt's common problems include battery or electrical system issues. Numerous customers complained to the ...
When is a Chevy Volt problem "Common' or "Widespread"? | GM ...
Oct 14, 2021 ... The most prevalent failure now seems to be the EGR failure ( short circuit causing non walk home fuse to blow). This problem is stranding people ...
2018 Chevrolet Volt Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2018 Chevrolet Volt? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
2018 Volt Reliability | GM Volt Forum
Mar 2, 2019 ... Will you find fit/finish issues, possible glitches with the screens and on-board tech? Maybe. But that can happen anywhere. The Volt isn't " ...
Other years of Chevrolet Volt
Are you having problems with your 2018 Chevrolet Volt?
Carson Wisoky 2024-09-04
The car can lose power while in motion, which can be extremely dangerous if the driver is not expecting it. However, Chevy has reprogrammed some software on my car to solve this issue, which I hope will work. Additionally, the seats are positioned quite low and far behind the B-post, making it difficult to get in and out of the vehicle and causing some serious back issues. There are also some serious blind spots, even with the mirrors. On the positive side, driving an EV is enjoyable. It's worth noting that approximately 40% of EV range is lost when the temperatures outdoors are in the 30's (F) and below. The MPG as displayed on the instrumentation has steadily decreased to about 59 now, and having started around 75. I haven't had the car in hot weather yet. Lastly, the seating material could be of better quality and there is a driver's left foot rest pedal that is in an uncomfortable spot.
Micheal Ruecker 2024-03-18
This car may not be the best fit for everyone. In my experience, it has charged up to 40 miles instead of the advertised 53 miles. However, I believe that GM is working to improve this technology. It's important to do your research and make an informed decision before purchasing. Thank you for considering my experience.
Maximus Wilkinson 2024-01-29
I recently purchased a 2018 Chevy Volt and have already charged it twice. While I was disappointed to find that the EVGO fast charging stations do not work with my car, I have found that the Charge Point stations work well and only take about 6 hours to charge my car. I chose a hybrid vehicle because I drive a lot, including trips to Mexico where charging stations may not be readily available. Despite this, I am very happy with my car so far. When I bought it from Car Max on Kearny Mesa, I was told there were no recalls, but later found out that there was one related to the high voltage battery. It's important to do your own research and not always rely on what the dealership tells you. Fortunately, I received a notice from the Chevy app I downloaded and the issue was resolved by updating the hybrid powertrain control module 2.