2016 Chevrolet VOLT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
169 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
43,045 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 60 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 73 of 169 complaints (43.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 56 | 33.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 19 | 11.2% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 4.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 73 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 63 |
| Power Train | 50 |
| Engine | 48 |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
Electrical System: 73; Fuel/Propulsion System: 63; Power Train: 50; Engine: 48; Unknown Or Other: 20; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Service Brakes: 4; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 26 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 26; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 109 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 29 |
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 51 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 13 |
2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 13; 2020: 29; 2021: 15; 2022: 12; 2023: 16; 2024: 51; 2025: 11; 2026: 13
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 56 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 19 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10958862 · 2017-03-06 (March 6, 2017)
MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A LEFT TURN LANE AT AN INTERSECTION. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE CAR THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SEEMED TO NOT EVEN IDLE BECAUSE IT WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED. AFTER A WHILE THERE WAS SOME WEIRD NOISES AND THE CAR DID SOME UNUSUAL SHAKING. I ALSO OBSERVED ON MY DASHBOARD THAT THE CAR WAS SWITCHING BETWEEN THE ELECTRIC BATTERY POWER AND THE GAS FUEL POWE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,080 miles reported. Look up ODI 10958862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11219395 · 2019-06-11 (June 11, 2019)
VEHICLE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MESSAGE FROM ONSTAR READS: AN ISSUE WITH THE LITHIUM-ION BATTERY IN YOUR 2016 CHEVROLET VOLT HAS BEEN DETECTED. PLEASE SERVICE YOUR VEHICLE WITHIN 1 DAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11219395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11142158 · 2018-10-23 (October 23, 2018)
WHEN VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO PARK POSITION AND ENGINE IN POWERED OFF, THE DASH READS OUT THAT VEHICLE MUST BE IN PARK POSITION. I HAVE TO JIGGLE THE SHIFTER OR DEPRESS THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES TO ENGAGE INTO PARK POSITION. IF THIS IS IGNORED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REGISTER IN PARK AND CANNOT SAFELY BE LEFT UNATTENDED. THIS OCCURRENCE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A MONTH AT A DAILY RATE. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HONOR THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11142158 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11558425 · 2023-12-04 (December 4, 2023)
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle initially failed to shift into drive. After the vehicle was shifted into drive, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost significant motive power with the “Low Propulsion Power” message displayed. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a fail…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11558425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11563877 · 2024-01-05 (January 5, 2024)
My car will lose all power as I'm driving, switch between gas/ elec and almost stall, it will accelerate when I take my foot OFF the gas , it will lose power on a turn.. it's random. form what I understand it's the BECM and it happened just after 100k miles. I have 105k.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11563877 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11195478 · 2019-04-10 (April 10, 2019)
SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE SERVICE CENTER FOUND METAL DEBRIS ON TONE RING. UNKNOWN ORIGIN
Owner-reported narrative. 36,080 miles reported. Look up ODI 11195478 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11299056 · 2020-01-13 (January 13, 2020)
UN-COMMANDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION UNDER FULL ELECTRIC DRIVE MODE (TWICE). WHILE DRIVING STEADY AROUND 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY (NO CRUISE CONTROL USED), A SLIGHT STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR, CAUSED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED UP TO 88 MPH (DASH SHOW LARGE ELECTRICAL DRAW OF BATTERY POWER). STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, USING THE REGEN PADDLE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND REPEATED PRESSING THE CRUISE CONTROL POWER DIDN'T DISENGAGE THE POWER SURGE. CAR WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKE PRESSURE WAS LIFTED. AFTER REPEATED HARD PRESSING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11299570 · 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE MESSAGE SERVICE STABILITRAK SUDDENLY DISPLAYED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STILL AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN TURNED AS A RESULT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BLUFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SORE BODY DUE TO THE IMPACT AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN) WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THAT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 177,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299570 at NHTSA ↗