AI Damage2017 Chevrolet Volt: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Volt filed 703 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and fuel/propulsion system. The maker issued 788 service bulletins for this year. We found 3 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 703
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 788
- YouTube repair videos
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 45% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 34% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 31% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 26% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 2% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 2% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 313 complaints (45% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 210.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 236 complaints (34% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Powertrain: 221 complaints (31% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 61.
- Engine: 184 complaints (26% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 50.
- Vehicle speed control: 32 complaints (5% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · plug-in hybrid · 4 cyl
- CVT
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 703 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 313 | 4 | 210 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 236 | 3 | 9 |
| Powertrain | 221 | 0 | 61 |
| Engine | 184 | 2 | 50 |
| Vehicle speed control | 32 | 2 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 27 | 1 | 22 |
| Steering | 16 | 0 | 14 |
| Air bags | 12 | 3 | 4 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 9 | 0 | 10 |
| Electronic stability control | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 57 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 18 |
| Backover prevention | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Hybrid propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
There were no warning lights to illuminate. A police report was not filed. There was no reported fire or air bag deployment. The contact sustained injuries to his neck and back and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a body shop who informed him the battery was scratched.
Vehicle Make and Model 2017 Chevrolet Volt LT •Miles Currently 28,000 •(Car is recalled) Energy Hybrid • The vehicle will not turn off, Motor Light Constantly on • I never received a recall letter, email not mail notification •The whole car smells like smoke and gasoline when AAA gives me jumps • I’ve had two not at…
I exited the vehicle and it rolled backward. I was struck by the door and crushed between the car and an adjacent brick wall.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Propulsion Power Reduced" was displayed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.
The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at 65-70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power or experienced reduced motive power. The "Reduced Propulsion" message displayed, and the check engine warning light illuminated.
10/10/2019 at 11,336 mi: Check Engine Light and Driver Information Center displayed "Loss of Propulsion" message; EGR valve diagnosed as cause and replaced by dealer under warranty at no cost. 11/2023 at approx.
There was no warning lights on before the incident and have had no issues till then. We were lucky this was during the day. Nighttime would have been a terrible accident with oncoming traffic.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed or while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was unexpectedly illuminated. Additionally, there were several error codes provided through the Mobile App for engine-related failures.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 71 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 3% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Volt has 283 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 703, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and…
This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
- This Preliminary information communicates assistance in locating the Rear seat belt comfort guides in the…
- This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be…
This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
NHTSA lists 788 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, powertrain. Total complaints: 703. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (25%), loss of power / limp mode (11%), won't start (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
NHTSA lists 788 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Chevrolet Volt from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.