Steering Problems of Chevrolet Volt

I am reporting a series of safety concerns regarding my 2017 chevy Volt, which have persisted despite multiple attempts to address them with the dealership. These issues pose significant risks to my safety and that of others on the road. On January 18th, 2024, I brought my vehicle to the dealer after experiencing reduced propulsion power while driving on the highway, coupled with the illumination of the check engine light. The mechanic performed a quick inspection and used a gm scan tool to diagnose the issue, revealing the code p1e00 for the hybrid powertrain control module 2, which was cleared without a thorough investigation. I was advised to return if the issue reoccurred. Despite the reset, the problem persisted, and on February 9th, 2024, I scheduled another appointment due to my chevy Volt's high Voltage battery charging only to 65% capacity despite indicating a full charge. Subsequently, on February 11th, 2024, the check engine light illuminated again, and on February 12th, 2024, November 25th, 2025, and January 11th, 2026, while driving to work, both times I experienced a loss of propulsion power on the highway, placing my safety at risk and lost all power in a traveling lane of traffic. These ongoing issues with propulsion power and the high-voltage battery charging system are not only inconvenient but also potentially dangerous. Despite multiple visits to the dealership and attempts to diagnose and resolve the problem, it persists, indicating a systemic issue that requires immediate attention. The reduced propulsion power while driving on the highway, coupled with the illumination I urge the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to investigate this matter thoroughly to ensure the safety of chevy Volt drivers and passengers. It is imperative that general motors addresses these issues promptly and implements appropriate measures to prevent further incidents.

See all problems of the 2017 Chevrolet Volt 🔎.

Issue summary: the chevy Volt has experienced recurring electrical problems, including the "shift to park" message, loss of power, and dead 12v battery. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership three times due to these issues. One incident involved a power loss while driving at 65 mph, which caused a near-miss with a semi-truck, posing a significant safety risk. Warranty status: the additional warranty was purchased, but only one of the three incidents occurred while the vehicle was under warranty. Safety concerns: the repeated electrical failures, especially while driving at high speeds, raise serious safety concerns.

See all problems of the 2018 Chevrolet Volt 🔎.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving in reverse the warning message "reduced propulsion" had displayed and suddenly the power steering failed and the vehicle lurch backwards and crashed into a utility pole. During the incident the driver had pressed the brake pedal but the vehicle did not stop. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The daughter was able to drive the vehicle home in "limp" mode. The contact later examined the vehicle and diagnosed that the engine battery ecm had failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the manufacturer extended coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 89,800.

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Propulsion error, steering wheel locked up today, last week shut off to dead stop while idling, trouble restarting. Speed and sudden battery drop issues. 14 miles without any power steering. Unsafe.

'11 chevy Volt hybrid was daily driver of 100+ miles, multiple trips both highway and city for last 2 1/2 months. Breaks and rotors have been replaced all the way around, fresh oil changes as needed and filters. Warning on dash "service high Voltage charging system", ”service airbag" and check engine light have been on since I've owned it (oct. 23). When plug car in it doesn't charge, but the ev charges while driving. Car generally switches back and forth from ev to ice without issues. No other issues have been noted. 1/18/24 start car and drive all day for work. Total of 129 miles between 22 trips. Last trip car sat for 30 minutes after running deliveries all day. Started as normal, turned off at gas station, filled tank with premium, restarted and drive to freeway. Drove 20 miles, pulled over to text, put car in park. 5 mins later took out of park and car wouldn't move. Inside had complete power, radio, windows, ect. Only noticable difference was car would get no acceleration, power steering went out, and heat started blowing cooler air. Absolutely no warning and car just cuts off engines. Thankfully I was parked safe. Towed home, replaced 12v. Started and drove no problem on 1/19/24. No new warnings or anything different. Started up 1/20/24 drove 7 miles and the engines cut off in the middle of a main road while accelerating, once again no warning. Luckily got into turn lane before almost getting hit. Still not sure what's wrong with car. Same codes. No battery warning or loss of power indication at all. Just up and cuts off. This is very very dangerous and needs to be looked into please. When my Volt died today the truck behind me had to slam on his brakes and came inches from hitting me. If this would've happen on the freeway, I'd likely been hit.

See all problems of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt 🔎.

On December 8 2023 while traveling at highway speed my Chevrolet Volt abruptly lost propulsion and an alert was displayed to pull over and turn car off. I was on 101 in California a 4 lane highway forced to cross 3 lanes of traffic at an exceptionally slow speed in heavy traffic. It is a miracle a crash did not occur. Fortunately other drivers were aware and able to stop or quickly change lanes. Aaa towed directly to stewart Chevrolet in colma CA. It was diagnosed and I was advised it is under warranty however parts are on back order. Today 3/26/2024 ~ the car still has not been repaired and I have been advised parts will not ship until September 2024. This is both dangerous and unacceptable.

While driving home one evening, the power steering suddenly failed. A warning message displayed to service the power steering. It became very difficult to steer the car. I had to pull extremely hard on the wheel to be able to make turns. For the turn into my community, I had to make four attempts to get the car to clear the turn through the entrance gate, needing to back up repeatedly and retry. Fortunately I did make it home safely and shut the car down. I made an emergency repair appointment for the next day at a Chevrolet dealership. In the morning the power steering was back. The car was inspected at the dealership. They told me a software update was needed and they charged me $450 to do that.

See all problems of the 2019 Chevrolet Volt 🔎.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the vehicle sputtered and independently turned to the right. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road and became aware that the vehicle was smoking. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,200.

I was driving and then the car turned off and was unable to restart. There was no warning. The car was fine and then it wasn't. The power steering also stops working. Fortunately I was at a red light and not in the intersection yet. The check engine light wasn't on. The becm (battery control module) failed. I had to get the car towed to the dealership for the repair. The dealership repaired the issue for free since I was still under warranty.

While driving after the electric battery is used and switches over to gas, I have been getting the check engine, abs, steering, parking, and brake lights. I have lost power steering, lost the speedometer, lost fuel range, lost stabilitrak, it has randomly turned on the emergency brake while all these other things are happening, it also has said “shift to park”, propulsion power reduced. I have taken it to the dealer and they read some of the codes but say they can’t find anything wrong and they need to be able to reproduce the problem to find it. I lost all propulsion and pulled over and turned it off and it stopped with a “clunk. ” then I turn it back on and just the check engine light is on. I’m very afraid to drive it but with the lack of vehicles available to buy and the dealer not knowing how to fix it I don’t know what to do.

While driving down the freeway, the steering starting chattering. After a few miles, the steering became erratic and would not stay centered. I exited the freeway, and halfway through the offramp turn, the power steering completely failed. This cause the car to become very hard to steer.

While traveling slowly (about 25mph) on an uphill grade, my Volt suddenly, with no warning messages or other alerts to me, lost propulsion, power brakes and power steering. This car is extremely hard to steer and to brake without the power assists, so I really had to wrestle with the wheel to avoid losing control of the car, and I really had to jam on the brake pedal to get it to a stop, even though I was moving slowly and had a gravity assist from the uphill slope. It seems to me an event such as I experienced could be catastrophic if it occurred at high speed, and / or on a steep downhill slope or a street with a lot of traffic. Incidentally, when this happened I had just turned onto a side road from a highway with lots of traffic moving at 60-80 miles an hour on a slope so steep that in spite of numerous warning signs, accidents, including fatal accidents, occur regularly on this section of the highway due to drivers failing to apply their brakes hard enough or early enough to keep the car on the road. As a result I felt like I had barely escaped with my life, only as a result of a sudden whim that entered my head to leave the highway for the scenic side road. It may also be relevant that the incident occurred directly after I picked up the car from the chevy dealer following repair for another incident where I lost propulsion, power brakes, and power steering - the difference being that the car was stationary during the previous incident. The photo shows the electrical connections that the dealer ultimately determined were responsible for the second (oct. 20) incident, and maybe the first as well. These terminals are enclosed, and not visible to the car owner, even with the hood lifted. Checking the terminals is not part of any maintenance recommended in the owner's handbook, nor apparently in the standard service procedures, even when a car comes in with symptoms that could be caused by a loose connection, even after replacing the 12v battery, as they did.

See all problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Volt 🔎.

When merging onto the highway, I pressed the accelerator, but there was a significant lag to get up to highway speeds. With the wheels being powered by the electric engine, the response had always been instant, until today. After arriving at my destination, I turned my car off and back on, but the check engine light came on and the dash read "shift to park," even though the car was in park. I turned the car off and on again, and this time I was able to shift the car to drive, but the check engine light remained on. The accelerator did not propel the car and the steering wheel was locked. I again shifted to park and turned off the car. I waited a few minutes and started the car back up, and the fuel engine turned on this time, but I received a message saying the car was not charging. I was able to drive it, but the engine would not shut off, as it usually does after the batteries are sufficiently charged. I drove about 3 miles on surface streets and the fuel engine remained on the entire time. There was a significant amount of lag in response time between pressing the accelerator and the batteries charging up enough to propel the car, causing an unsafe response time in merely getting the vehicle going after stopping at a light and turning onto a new street.

I was driving on the freeway at 65 miles per hour. As I began to brake because of traffic, 3 lights came on the vehicle. Stabilitrak failure, abs and brake assist failure. When the lights came on, there was a loss of breaking. I almost crashed. Had I been closer to the vehicles, I would have had an accident. Fortunately, I keep a distance from the vehicles in front of me at all times. I called general motors and they told me to take it to the dealer and they would look at the repairs and find out if it is something that is related to the vehicle's safety. When I took it to the dealer, I received an estimate fro m jackie, the technician at mark christopher auto center 2131 e convention center way, ontario, CA 91764. Stated that there is two separate issues with the vehicle. One issue was the stabilitrak and the second issue had to do with the abs. Each of the items were estimated differently even though they were related. I ended up coughing up $290 for just an inspection of both items (not repairing them). 160 was for the check engine, stabilitrak and brake assist falure. The second charge was to look at the abs at $130. I disputed the charges but they stated that they were valid. When I spoke to the technician ( jackie) she stated that the car was repaired and the problem stemmed debree going in to the I told them that I had a case # with gm. Jackie stated that gm would not honor the repair because it was the speed sensor. She stated that the sensor was cleaned and the vehicle does not have the problem anymore. It is difficult to understand that such a simple fix does not have a re-call. This is a safety sensitive issue that has implications for society as a whole. Imagine a person driving and they do not know the system is malfunctioning. This can be harmful to pedestrians walking in the streets. The system does not allow you to brake. Please help!!!!!!!.

See all problems of the 2014 Chevrolet Volt 🔎.

The trouble began on March 16th, I came to a stop at a light, ready to take a u turn. Driving in ev mode. All lights in the console turned on and I got three errors "information : propulsion power is reduced" "service : stabilitrak" "service : power steering. Drive with care" the power steering gave up. Restarted the car after 5mins, everything was normal. On March 24th, on a highway , in hold mode. After a few miles in, I got an error "action required: engine overheating reduce speed" took the next exit out and saw that the coolant tank is empty. Turned on ev mode , drove back home. On March 25th morning, took the car in to service center (drive-in). They identified a valve leaking in the coolant loop. Replaced the part. Multi-point inspection done. 2 pending recalls done. Got the car back on 26th. On March 28th, at a light, about take a left turn, driving in ev mode. Again, all lights in the console turned on and I got the same 3 errors. I took it home. On March 29th morning, took the car in to the service center again. They found another leak in the coolant, a hose this time and replaced it. They found passenger side front axle is spilling geese and replaced it. Got the car back on April 3rd. On April 4th evening, the car gave me a check engine light again. Got an appointment for 5th morning, the light was off on the morning. I spoke to the service adviser and he mentioned that we can read the codes but wont be of much help if the lights are off and bring it back in if the lights on again. On April 5th afternoon, just got on the highway, turned on hold mode. Again, all lights in the console turned on and I got same three errors. I took it to the service center. With all the lights on. I got it back on tusday 9th. On April 12th evening, it happened again on the freeway, I almost crashed into another car. I gave the car in again.

My Volt steering wheel sticks in the center position after driving in straight line. It then requires some force to "break out". After this breakout it operates normally. This is concerning while driving on the highway. It is also a known issue and gm issued bulletin 14232a to address it. However my despite my vehicle suffering the same problem as the campaign, my VIN was not included in the campaign. Please update the campaign vins to include my VIN so gm will repair it.

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.

This is the third incident since I had this car along with charging issue in the beginning of ownership this Chevrolet Volt has been been deem total from the accident that occurred on January 6 because of the steering locking up.

See all problems of the 2013 Chevrolet Volt 🔎.

Vehicle's lane departure function and calibration was reprogrammed after a recall service and not function does not work. Function was not only a premium charge option, but originally would monitor the lane lines and adjust the electronic steering system to keep the vehicle well within the road lanes' painted lines. Now, the vehicle will (more times than not) completely cross the tires well over the painted line, traveling several tens of yards before only slightly correcting its direction back towards the lane. In a best case scenario, vehicle system will begin correcting itself approximately just as the front tire makes contact with the lane boundary lines. This has been observed in lanes of varying width and confirmed by the servicing dealership. Further, system is inconsistent in its determination and "correction" lane boundaries, sometimes crossing the left lane line entirely then barely touching the ride side lane, or vice versa. System has also been apparently less sensitive in reading the lines as the instrument panel indicator will not light up indicating that it recognizes lanes, even though lanes are clearly and brightly painted and illuminated by either headlights, street lights or sunlight. As this vehicle is a complete drive-by-wire system (brakes, steering, and throttle have no mechanical connection to driver's inputs), I have serious concerns with regards to the sensors capabilities in accident avoidance and feel that in an emergency situation, the system will fail to operate as promoted and promised by the manufacture. This would be acceptable if this performance was similar or consistent to performance from initial operation, however, the oem has effectively and dramatically changing the vehicle's driving dynamic and safety function that I (and any reasonable driver) have become comfortable with as a driver, without my consent.

The car literally just stopped working as I was turning on a busy road, so I was stuck right in the middle of the road with cars nearly smashing into the back of me. The steering wheel locked up. The accelerator stopped working. I couldn't turn it off or on- it was kind on just stuck in an alternate mode. There was an orange engine symbol that was lit up and it kept saying "shift to park" but I would shift and nothing would happen. I couldn't put it in neutral so I could push it to a safer location. Nothing. The technician on the phone didn't know what was wrong with it, but someone who stopped to help said he used to work on these cars and said it happens quite often and it there was absolutely nothing I could have done to fix it (I thought I remember him saying something about an engine switch problem, but I was so frazzled I wasn't really listening to him) . If this had happened on a highway I could have been killed. I don't know how these cars have no been recalled.

On may 8th, 2017, car began to make a grinding, whirring sound and became undriveable. Car was in slow motion on a country road, having just slowed down for a light then turned into parking lot when noise bean.

Oct 24th morning murrieta, CA , it was raining and big thunders and lighting. My wife started for work , the car was fully charged. She made her usual right turn from " murrietta hotsprings rd " to " butterfield stage road" in city of murrieta / temecula CA. She put the car in "regeneration mode" as the road was down hill. There was a big lighting and followed by a big thunder sounds. She saw white light and was blinded for fraction of second, it was raining heavy, immediately she felt the car was floated/drifting to left , hit the center raod divider and all air bags were already deployed. She tried her best to pull the car to right (she could not see due to airbags deployed all except passenger side airbag) but could not do so , she also stated the steering was struck. The car came to stop after jumping into other side of the street. No other car was involved. Most of the damage to the car was to the front wheels, front under body due to impact with the center road divider. All airbags were deployed except for the passenger. She was alone in the car. The police and emd were at the scene after 10 -15 mins as someone had already called 911. I was at the sceen as the location was 10 mins from my home. The police report is still due as I notify you. Insurance declared total loss. My wife had minor injuries due to air bags. We hope someone can find answers for the following questions. 1) did lighting cause any electrical interference with vehicle electronics which may have contributed to the accident ? 2) why did air bags deploy if the wheels hit the center divider . Or what was the cause of airbags deployment ?.

I've experienced sudden and complete loss of power steering. It can be temporarily alleviated by turning the vehicle off for serveral minutes, however, the problem will usually persist at some point thereafter. This has happened at both low speeds and at highway speeds.

Sticking steering. Temporary locking feeling steering while driving freeway speeds as well.

Beginning at approximately 11,000 miles and on relatively straight sections of highway above 50mph, the steering develops a mechanical lock or catching sensation that takes approximately 5lbs of force to overcome and makes it difficult to make fine changes to the steering to maintain straight driving. After the locking is overcome, there is then an increased degree of play in the steering (a few degrees of turning the steering wheel results in no corresponding turn in the front wheels) that leaves me with the sensation that I am not in control of the vehicle. It is more of an annoyance, but it is very fatiguing and distracting on longer drives to be constantly grappling with the steering system for control of the vehicle. Interestingly, I discovered exactly the same problem on a rented Chevrolet cruze in December. Since the Volt and cruze share many components, I wonder if this is an endemic problem.

Unexpectedly, generally on uneven street/roadway, hilly the brakes do not immediately engage and will create a feeling that you many not be able to stop and/or steer, or keep the vehicle under control. After taking the automobile to a dealer about four times, it was determined July 2014 that brakes needed to be replaced. The car was and still is under warranty. I believe that the braking system is also covered under an extended electric car warranty. Brake problems have continued intermittently; are auto safety issue. The last two times I have not reported to the dealer, or Volt advisor. The dealer service advisor was incorrect about how regenerative brakes work in electric car. The blind spot is excessive for backing up, and every Volt should have had a back up camera as standard equipment, and bumpers that had crash test standards, but was not aware of options when car was sold by dealer sent a few Volts to sell. Aftermarket camera high price, less desirable than factory installed. Tax credit information should have been more clearly provided (including the tax form provided by dealers and bosch's partnership with general motors for 240 Voltec charger). Dealer advertising needed to be accurate and transparent. Due to uninformed. Or politically conservative cpa & broker (2 individuals), did not receive a federal tax credit for purchase of Volt or installation of 240 Volt charging system. I could have easily qualified for the tax credit, which cpa failed to adequately and accurately advise me for tax planning. I have loved the Volt. However, without the anticipated tax credit, past and ongoing braking issues, blind spot problems, large price drop in value of the car (which had similar prices for 2011, 2012, or 2013 models when I bought my car. The tax credit exists to encourage electric cars, not to play a game of "gotcha. ".

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 60 mph and attempting to merge onto the side of the road, he drove over the rumble strips causing the vehicle to vibrate and the power steering to stop working. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel became very hard to maneuver and the check power steering warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 31,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the power steering assist malfunctioned sporadically without warning. The contact mentioned that the steering wheel would become stiff for several seconds and before returning to normal function. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 18,000.

I have reported this to the dealer several times. When you stop and park for a short period, like at a convenience store, shut down the car and go in. When you come back out, 5 to 10 mins later and go to leave as soon as you begin to move in the car it pulls hard to the left. I mean the steering wheel turns left very hard. If your hand is not on the wheel or you are not paying attention you could have a serious accident. I took my car to the dealer and they claimed to have corrected the problem. One week later it's doing the same thing. This seems like a systematic problem. I hope someone looks into this.

Driving in mountains and hit rumble strip on highway and electric power steering went out. After stopping, power steering returned to normal. Fortunately, I was on a straight stretch of road and could control the car. Took it to dealer and they could find no reason for the failure. The problem has not recurred in the six months since.

At any speed over 57mph, if you leave the steering wheel centered (such as on a long straightaway) the steering wheel will lock in that center position. It takes significant force to pull the car out of that center locked position. Chevrolet is aware of this issue, but has so far been un-willing to fix it in my vehicle (they will not send the part to the dealership).

The rear end of this car feels as if it is slipping out when you enter a curve at 60 to 65 mph. Gm calls it sensitive steering but I call it scary and unsafe.