Common Problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Volt
Battery and Charging Issues:
“The BECM (Battery Electric Charging Module) is failing, and making my Chevrolet Volt unsafe to drive. I can't get over 35 miles per hour on the highway, and it stops driving on electricity randomly. Going from 25 miles to saying 0 miles of EV charge while driving on the road. It also says "reduced propulsion", and has a hard time accelerating from a complete stop.”
“There is a good chance my battery energy control module will fail on the highway creating a dangerous situation. Why has a recall not been issued?”
“While driving, message suddenly pops up on the dashboard "propulsion power is reduced." Check engine light is light on.”
Electrical System Problems:
“Car is stopped and shifted into park. When ignition switch is hit to turn vehicle off display reads "shift to park." Car does not register that car is already in park and cannot turn car off.”
“The vehicle frequently has an 'Action Required - Shift to Park' display on the dashboard even though the shift lever is in park. This means that the car cannot be powered off and you cannot leave the vehicle. It is a problem that GMC is aware of, but refuses to fix under warranty unless the vehicle actively shows the problem while at a GMC dealership.”
Engine Problems:
“......car totally stopped on road in traffic and would not restart. I felt the car losign propulsion so I got off the Intestate and on to a local street. Message in dash was that engine was unavailable. I got out of the car and several cars almost hit my car. Car was flat bedded to Chevy dealer and diagonosed. EGR valve needs to be replaced and is covered under warrenty. HOWEVER, have been waiting 4days and t old that valve not available. This is on a vacation trip and 300 miles away from home.. I can ask for the EGR valve from the car. I am on the GM-Volt listserve and other Generation 2 Volt owners have identified this problem previously. You should initiate a recall since the engine just cuts off and the battery propulsion is unavailable.”
“CAR IS CONSISTENTLY MAKING A BURNING SMELL AND THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. I WENT THERE 2000 MILES AGO, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS A BREAK IN SMELL. THE SMELL IS STILL THERE AND ONCE AGAIN THEY ARE CALLING IT A BREAK IN SMELL. I MEAN THE CAR HAS 8400 MILES. HOW LONG DOES IT HAVE TO BREAK IN FOR? NHTSA, PLEASE STEP IN AND HELP US. GM IS CREATING THIS POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD AND THEIR FRANCHISES ARE NOT HELPING.”
“WHEN MY GAS ENGINE IS WARMED UP AND UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE, THERE WOULD BE THIS BURNT PLASTIC SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING LIKE THIS FOR THE PAST 3000 MILES OR SO. IT'S A CLEAR BURNT PLASTIC SMELL FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND IT IS ALWAYS AFTER THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY WARMED UP. I USE MY GAS ENGINE ALL THE TIME. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL FOR HYBRID TO BURN STUFF OFF AS IT ISN'T RUN ALL THE TIME, BUT THE CAR HAS 6700 MILES. IT'S A STRETCH TO BLAME IT ON BREAK IN OIL. SOME OF THE SMELL GETS INTO THE CABIN WHEN I AM STOPPED, BUT IT IS VERY STRONG WHEN I GET OUT THE CAR AND WALK BY. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW.”
Brakes Problems:
“GEN 2 VOLT HAS A PADDLE ON THE STEERING COLUMN THAT BRAKES THE VEHICLE AND ADDS SOME CHARGE TO THE MAIN BATTERY. (PART OF THR REGEN SYSTEM) SINCE IT BRAKES THE VEHICLE I BELIEVE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS SHOULD ILLUMINATE , THEY DON'T . IN THE OWNERS IT STATES THAT THE "BRAKE LIGHTS MAY COME ON"... MAY???..... I HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 DAYS. THE BCM WAS CHANGED AND THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE ISSUE, IT DID NOT. I AND OTHER VOLT FORM MEMBERS FEEL THIS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. 17/2018”
“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.”
Steering Issues:
“POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING INTO BALTIMORE CITY ON I-95. WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING BUT IT WAS DIFFICULT. THE POWER RETURNED AT THE END OF THE WORK DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE ALL DAY. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT FOUND "SCAN CODE C056D FOUND BULLETIN 18-NA-313".”
“LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. ERROR MESSAGE ON DASH AS WELL. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND NOT POSSIBLE TO MAKE A QUICK AVOIDANCE. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP FOUND DTC ERROR CODE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE POWER STEERING LOSS. DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPLACE OR FIX ANYTHING AS OF NOW.”
Source: www.nhtsa.gov
California Lemon Law and How Valero Law Can Assist
The California Lemon Law provides vital protection for consumers who have purchased or leased vehicles afflicted by defects, including the 2018 Chevrolet Volt. If you're grappling with ongoing issues that haven't been adequately resolved despite reasonable repair attempts (two or more), or if your vehicle has been out of service for an extended duration due to repairs, you might have strong grounds for a Lemon Law case.
Valero Law, a respected Lemon Law attorney firm, specializes in supporting individuals navigating challenges like those faced with the 2018 Chevrolet Volt. Equipped with a deep understanding of the intricacies within Lemon Law cases, we can expertly guide you through the legal process. Whether it involves negotiating with the manufacturer for a buyback or replacement, or pursuing a legal claim to protect your rights, Valero Law is dedicated to advocating for your interests. If the ongoing problems with your Chevrolet Volt are affecting your driving experience, it's wise to consider seeking the expertise of Valero Law to explore your options and pursue resolution through the California Lemon Law.