2018 Chevrolet Volt

The defect

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."

The risk

If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 15,800 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

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.

The risk

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 210,628 vehicles across all model years covered

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened November 29, 2023 · closed March 3, 2025

the electrical system

On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE23022 to investigate allegations of a loss of motive power, including a stall, reduced power state, and/or a no start condition due to the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) in model year (MY) 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt passenger car vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The BECM is located within the high voltage electric vehicle (EV) battery pack and monitors the temperature, current, and voltage of the high voltage battery cell groups. GM stated that the root cause was identified as an internal failure leading to a loss of communication within the BECM and does not pose a risk to motor vehicle safety. GM further stated that the failure cannot result in a complete stall, only a reduced power mode, no start condition, or a no charge condition. GM additionally stated that if these conditions occur, the driver will be warned via a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and/or a reduced-propulsion message in the Driver Information Center (DIC). Data received and analyzed by ODI from all sources indicates that nearly all related BECM failures caused conditions aligning with GM’s predicted outcomes. Despite the large number of warranty claims, nearly all failures were not safety-related, i.e., not a stall or reduced power mode. ODI isaware of a single minor crash and no injuries or deaths. In March 2024, GM issued Special Coverage N232432680, which was mailed to consumers, addressing BECM failures in certain MY 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. This special coverage provides an extension of the warranty coverage for the BECM from 8 years / 100,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles for all 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts. Additionally, GM stated that replacement components are sourced from a different supplier and not susceptible to the failure. In view of the Special Coverage issued by GM, the existing warranty coverage already in place, and the low number of safety-related occurrences, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation (PE). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

crash · towed · 2,200 miles

I RAN INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME DURING NORMAL TRAFFIC ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, TWO MONTHS TO THE DAY OF PICKING UP MY 2018 VOLT. THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME MAY HAVE STOPPED QUICKLY, BUT IT WAS NOT A STOP THE VOLT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE. I WAS ON A STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD I DRIVE EVERY DAY IN TRAFFIC. I HAD MENTIONED TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT THE VOLT'S BRAKES JUST DID NOT FEEL ON PAR WITH THE REST OF THE CAR AND WOULD BE THE ONLY ASPECT OF THIS EV EXPERIENCE I FOUND LACKING. I HAVE THE DATED TEXT MESSAGES TO PROVE THIS. NOW I HAVE A VOLT AT THE BODY SHOP FOR THE 5TH WEEK (LACKING AN AC LINE FOR REASSEMBLY), AN OVER 55% INCREASE IN MY INSURANCE PREMIUMS (PER THE RENEWAL …

NHTSA complaint 11140756, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

crash · 4,100 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11129119. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

crash

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.

NHTSA complaint 11614544. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I was driving on an interstate in Seattle, and the car completely died. A check engine light went on. I had to roll into the shoulder and call for a tow to the dealership's service department. Here is what they found: ----60GCZ ENGINE REPAIR DIAG/ customer reports the ses lamp is on with reduced propulsion message displayed. Check and advise. 1. Tested vehicle and verified reduced propulsion power message and SES light. Scanned vehicle for codes and found multiple P0489, P0030, P0031, P0132, P0135, P0137, P0443, P0458, P0597, P0598, P06DA, P06DB, and P103C. Traced back to no power on circuit 5293. Traced back to blown 15-amp fuse 3 of under hood fuse block. Found bulletin #24-NA-080 stating …

NHTSA complaint 11757544, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

What component or system failed? When the BCEM failed on my car, it led directly to the transmission failing as well as the PIM. I was driving normally then had a completely inoperable car with no warning. I was told to pay over $17k for repairs by the dealership because there is no recall on the transmission, but I see proof that this is a common issue among Volt users. There needs to be a recall and repair to keep the road safe. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was driving on a busy road to school when my car fully locked up, jerked like crazy, and became inoperable. If I had been somewhere like a freeway instead of in front of a school, I likely would have …

NHTSA complaint 11755386, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

While driving on a highway the car started to hesitate, a message appeared on the console "Propulsion power is reduced" and the engine light turn on. After driving some miles, a new message appeared: "Engine unavailable, service soon" and the car only ran on electric power, no motor engine. I had the same problem 3 year ago and the dealer identified the problem as a shorted EGR valve. This time I knew this shorted EGR valve burns the F3 fuse. I managed to get to a car part shop and bough several fuses (15 amp). After replacing the fuse 3 times I managed to get to the dealer. The repairs cost $3000+ (up from $1000+ 3 years ago). This problem is well documented on the GM service technical …

NHTSA complaint 11755062, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The Vehicle had a the BECM fail at 64,000 miles. This is a known issue that GM still refuses to recall, and is refusing to warranty

NHTSA complaint 11754026. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

I was investigating a thumping sound coming from the vehicle when going over bumps. I discovered that the left fuel tank strap had completely broke into two pieces and was no longer holding up the tank. The fuel tank straps are not readily viewed on the vehicle until you lower/remove the underbody aerodynamic material. It appears that the underbody aerodynamic material may have been contributory by retaining dirt and trapping moisture in contact with the tank straps. The failed tank strap parts are available for inspection. No other indication of the failed tank strap other than the minor noise and no other inspections have been performed on the failed component.

NHTSA complaint 11753393. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) failed. Before repair, the check-engine light appeared intermittently, the vehicle sometimes had difficulty starting, and the indicated electric range could suddenly drop from about 30 miles to zero despite a charged high-voltage battery. When this occurred, the gasoline engine started unexpectedly. The air conditioning also intermittently blew warm air until the vehicle was restarted. These symptoms created a safety concern because propulsion mode and indicated range could change without warning, and the vehicle could fail to start in traffic or another unsafe location. An authorized Chevrolet dealer confirmed the problem. The dealer retrieved DTCs …

NHTSA complaint 11752752, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.