CARFOCALvehicle research
Research CarsCompareRankingsArticles
  1. Home›
  2. Manufacturers›
  3. Chevrolet›
  4. Volt›
  5. 2016›
  6. Complaints

2016 Chevrolet Volt Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20261 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller
2016 Chevrolet Volt Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt has 266 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve electrical system and fuel/propulsion system.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.7/ 10

Based on 266 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

68 25.6%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

54 20.3%

POWER TRAIN

48 18%

ENGINE

47 17.7%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

19 7.1%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 25.6% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 23 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

Subscribe to Recall Alerts

Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt.

Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.

Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2016 Chevrolet Volt

The 2016 Chevrolet Volt has 266 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 26% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (68), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (54), POWER TRAIN (48).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 184 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2016 Chevrolet Volt?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2017 Volt complaints2015 Volt complaints2018 Volt complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 22 of 22 systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

64 Reports26% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

2016 CHEVY VOLT WOULDN'T START, LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, CURRENT ON MAINTENANCE. TOWED IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WERE SOME RECALLS - BUT COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG. GOT IT BACK AFTER 2 DAYS, WAS FINE - THEN ON 9/22/16 WOULDN'T START AGAIN - I WAS STRANDED IN THE DARK, GOT IT JUMP STARTED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SINCE IT WAS RUNNING FINE HE DIDN'T TAKE IT IN. TOLD ME NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS TO GET IT TOWED IN. WOULDN'T START AGAIN YESTERDAY, UNRELIABLE CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

10/2/2016

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE CENTER DISPLAY CONSOLE GOES BLANK ON STARTING THE CAR AND IS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. THIS DISPLAYS VITAL INFORMATION SUCH AS LOCATION, CHARGE CAPACITY, CLIMATE CONTROLS, ETC. COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO RESET THIS. IT CORRECTS ITSELF AFTER THE CAR IS OFF FOR A BIT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN TWO DAYS. THIS IS FOR CASE ID NUMBER 10872363.

4/23/2018

62 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

48 Reports19% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

IN REGARD TO RECALL 16055 REPROGRAM HYBRID POWERTRAIN CONTROL; MODULE 2. I HAD THIS RECALL DONE ON JANUARY 5, 2017. THIS SERVICE CHANGES SOME SETTINGS WITHOUT NOTIFICATION TO THE OWNER. CRITICALLY IMPORTANT IT CHANGES THE ENGINE RUN ON REMOTE START FROM OFF TO ON. IF THE OWNER STARTS THEIR CAR TO WARM UP IN THE GARAGE THE ENGINE WILL RUN UNKNOWING TO THE OWNER. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE BUILDUP OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE GARAGE.

1/8/2017

ENGINE BECAME DISABLED WHILE DRIVING, DISPLAYING A "POWER REDUCED" MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY STREET, AND I HAD TO TRY TO PULL OVER WITH TRAFFIC MOVING AT A FAST PACE. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX.

6/11/2019

46 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

47 Reports19% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 POWER. I WAS NOT CLICKING ANYTHING TO DO THIS IT WAS DOING IT WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS TOUCHING NOTHING ELSE. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND MANY TRIES THE GAS FINALLY ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT BUT THERE WERE STILL VARIOUS NOISE PROBLEMS AND SHAKING. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND A NEW ONE WAS SENT AND PUT INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 1080 MILES ON IT.

3/6/2017

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.

10/23/2018

45 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

44 Reports18% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

2016 CHEVY VOLT WOULDN'T START, LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, CURRENT ON MAINTENANCE. TOWED IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WERE SOME RECALLS - BUT COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG. GOT IT BACK AFTER 2 DAYS, WAS FINE - THEN ON 9/22/16 WOULDN'T START AGAIN - I WAS STRANDED IN THE DARK, GOT IT JUMP STARTED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SINCE IT WAS RUNNING FINE HE DIDN'T TAKE IT IN. TOLD ME NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS TO GET IT TOWED IN. WOULDN'T START AGAIN YESTERDAY, UNRELIABLE CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

10/2/2016

IN REGARD TO RECALL 16055 REPROGRAM HYBRID POWERTRAIN CONTROL; MODULE 2. I HAD THIS RECALL DONE ON JANUARY 5, 2017. THIS SERVICE CHANGES SOME SETTINGS WITHOUT NOTIFICATION TO THE OWNER. CRITICALLY IMPORTANT IT CHANGES THE ENGINE RUN ON REMOTE START FROM OFF TO ON. IF THE OWNER STARTS THEIR CAR TO WARM UP IN THE GARAGE THE ENGINE WILL RUN UNKNOWING TO THE OWNER. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE BUILDUP OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE GARAGE.

1/8/2017

42 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

18 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE I WAS DRIVING EAST ON HWY 80 IN VACAVILLE, CA, AT APPROXIMATELY 1:15 PM, I WAS LITERALLY BLINDED BY SUN FROM THE CHROME REFLECTION ON THE DASH BOARD. BECAUSE OF THIS, I ALMOST REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRON OF ME AS I HAD DARK SPOTS IN MY VISION FROM THE REFLECTION.

2/12/2016

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I SMELLED SMOKE, THEN SAW SMOKE, AND THEN SAW FLAMES ON THE REAR PASSENGER FLOOR. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND PULLED MY CHILDREN FROM THE VEHICLE. WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES, THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

4/2/2019

16 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THERE'S AN ODD SITUATION WHEN I'M IN THE ELECTRIC MODE AND AM PASSING OVER A BUMPY BIT OF ROAD: THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES AUTOMATICALLY. THE PART THAT IS TROUBLING IS THAT THESE ARE TIMES WHEN THE DRIVER WOULD WANT TO SLOW DOWN. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES. I'VE BEEN LUCKY, SO FAR. BUT I HOPE THIS IS REMEDIED SOON.

9/15/2016

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 "CLACK" SOUND FROM BELOW THE DRIVER CONSOLE AND THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL. BEING ON THE FREEWAY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART/REBOOT THE CAR. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY, MONITORING THE CAR AND LEFT THE FREEWAY FOR SURFACE STREETS. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OKAY UNTIL I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEHIND TRAFFIC. WHEN TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING AGAIN, I LIGHTLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING QUICKLY ON IT'S OWN. SEVERAL HARD PRESSES OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS SECOND INCIDENT WAS NOT AS VIOLENT AND THE FIRST AND THERE WAS NO "CLACK" SOUND FROM BELOW THE DRIVER DASH AS WITH THE FIRST. THIS IS WORRISOME AND CANNOT BE RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SINCE IS WAS AT A STOP AND CC ISN'T SUPPOSED TO ENGAGE UNDER 25 MPH. THE REST OF THE SEVERAL MILES TO MY WORK WAS UNEVENTFUL. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING IT OR HAVING IT TOWED. WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE. I IMAGINE THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER WOULD'VE STORED TODAY'S DRIVING DATA.

1/13/2020

3 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE SERVICE CENTER FOUND METAL DEBRIS ON TONE RING. UNKNOWN ORIGIN

4/10/2019

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 VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BUT THE FAILURE EXPERIENCED WAS NOT DISCUSSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

1/15/2020

2 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE ENTIRE CONTROL WINDOW WAS BLANK AND I COULDN'T GET IT TO COME BACK AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR. THE RADIO AND FUNCTIONS STILL WORKED, JUST COULDN'T SEE ANY OF THE FUNCTIONS TO OPERATE THEM. THIS WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AND DURING THE ENTIRE DRIVE ON CITY STREETS AND A HIGHWAY

9/8/2016

SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE SERVICE CENTER FOUND METAL DEBRIS ON TONE RING. UNKNOWN ORIGIN

4/10/2019

1 more complaint is available in this category.

AIR BAGS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WARNING ABOUT AIRBAG SYSTEM NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND TOLD TO BRING CAR TO DEALER WITHIN 1 DAY. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET WITH MY SON IN FRONT. I DON'T KNOW EXACT PARTS BUT I BROUGHT IT TO CHEVY AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR FIX (SO THE CAR IS STILL THERE WHILE I APPEAL). IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE SYSTEM IN THE SEAT AND POSSIBLY DASH THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAG.

11/24/2019

Front passenger airbag sensor is off even when there is no person sitting in the front passenger seat. It is off also when adult passenger is seating in the seat. It looks by pages of manual folded that previous owner had similar problem. That could possibly impact non-deployment of air-bag in a case of collision. My google search shows there was a recall of Volt 2013 models for that problem.

12/24/2023

STEERING

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BUT THE FAILURE EXPERIENCED WAS NOT DISCUSSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

1/15/2020

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 lurched backward and crashed into a utility pole. During the incident, the driver 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's extended coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 89,800.

9/16/2024

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

my forward proximity sensors would randomly trigger. One day my ambient air temperature went haywire, checked for codes and had high voltage reading ambient air, brake booster trouble. after further investigation found that the X100(female) connector had water intrusion causing shorts across the pins showing voltage to drop across other pins further sending false or incorrect signals to the computer. the connector was thoroughly cleaned and aired out. now wrapped intensively with a lot of electrical tape in hopes to prevent water from getting in and causing voltage that range from 5v-14v from shorting across terminals and causing false activation.

1/18/2023

With PHEV battery at 0%, it's normal for the gas engine to kick in. What's not normal is when the infamous BCEM propulsion system failure happened. First, it shut off the ICE engine and reverted to EV mode when I have 0% charges left. The system also reduced power to the car. Luckily, I wasn't on the freeway, or this could end up really badly. I was at the point where I could no longer accelerate and was coming to a stop really quick. Because I was still on local street, was able to safely pull over to the side of the road and turned off the system completely. I waited a minute or 2, turn the car back on and the engine kicked on immediately. Please have GM issue a recall for this problem TSB 18-NA-261 because if this happens to someone on the freeway when their battery is at 0% and BCEM shuts off the gas engine with loss propulsion failure, it can result in serious accidents and deaths.

10/31/2024

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK-UP CAMERA WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE FRONT CONSOLE WOULD NOT WORK IF OTHER SERVICES WERE BEING USED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO GET THE CONSOLE TO WORK AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RELIABLE CHEVROLET (800 N CENTRAL EXPY, RICHARDSON, TX 75080, (972) 201-9240) WHERE THEY RE-FLASHED THE MODULE AND CHANGED THE CAMERA; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS A HYBRID AND THE BATTERY WAS DEPLETED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL IN HER GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS GETTING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES TO MAKE SURE IT FINALLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AND CALL BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. *TT *JB *TT THE CONSUMER STATED UNRESPONSIVE DISPLAY GOES BLANK WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATES WHEN A VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF HAVING ERRORS NOT RECOGNIZING THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK. *TR

8/9/2019

SEATS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

WARNING ABOUT AIRBAG SYSTEM NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND TOLD TO BRING CAR TO DEALER WITHIN 1 DAY. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET WITH MY SON IN FRONT. I DON'T KNOW EXACT PARTS BUT I BROUGHT IT TO CHEVY AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR FIX (SO THE CAR IS STILL THERE WHILE I APPEAL). IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE SYSTEM IN THE SEAT AND POSSIBLY DASH THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAG.

11/24/2019

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THE VOLT CENTER DISPLAY HAS GONE BLANK, PROBABLY A BAD SCREEN. THE DISPLAY SERVES MULTIPLE PURPOSE: INFOTAINMENT, NAVIGATION, CHARGING CONTROL (BEING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE), AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE BACK UP CAMERA DISPLAY. THE REAR HATCHBACK VISIBILITY IS VERY POORLY DESIGNED, WITH GREAT DEPENDENT & RELIANCE ON DRIVER TO USE THE BACK CAMERA. WITHOUT THE DISPLAY, BACKING DRIVER CAN NOT SEE A SMALL CHILD NOR ANY OBJECT.

12/20/2019

SUSPENSION

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

1. AN ERROR APPEARS "SHIFT TO PARK" WHEN PARKING. THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS SHIFTED TO PARK THUS IT CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN WHEN POSITIONED ON PARK. A RUNNING VEHICLE THAT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF AND CAN RUN ON GAS IS A CONSIDERABLE HAZARD. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2016 VOLT.

6/4/2021

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

When attempting to power down the car, a message, “Action required, Shift to Park” appears and car will not power down. After repeated attempts, sometimes requiring 10 or more, by re-starting the car and attempting to power down, it has eventually powered down. This problem is intermittent and the car WILL power down successfully repeated times, and then do it’s “shift to park” refusal to power down. There are hundreds of complaints on the GM Volt owners’ forum and even a Technical Service Bulletin No. 19-NA-206 dated February 2020 (maybe even more recent, but that’s the latest one I know of). The service bulletin also includes the Chevy Blazer, Malibu, Traverse and GMC Acadia (which, I understand, there is now a class action suit in that regard). If the car will not power down, it could drain the battery and leave the driver stranded, as well as making the car unable to be locked, which could also be a safety issue.

6/20/2022

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Vehicle suddenly lost power and displayed shift to park on display. Vehicle will not respond or display any status other than shift to park. Vehicle towed to dealership. Diagnosis of their mechanic is failed BECM module. Vehicle was brought to dealership 3yrs ago with infotainment center problems. Infotainment Software was updated but problem persisted. 2 years ago it was brought to dealership with complaint of intermittent inability to charge propulsion battery. Sunshine Chevrolet stated their mechanic could not diagnose issue so it was not covered under warranty. I demonstrated intermittent charging issue by plugging vehicle into dealership charger in front of showroom. I was at that time allowed to leave without paying diagnostic charge. 1½ years ago while car was still under warranty car failed to start. Called dealership. They stated it could be 12volt battery. I purchased and replaced battery at dealership. Car started but intermittent charging issue and intermittent infotainment issue continued. GM is refusing to cover BECM replacement saying Car is now out of 8yr warranty time frame.

1/10/2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle suddenly shut off and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the high voltage battery was faulty and needed to be replaced. An engineer was sent by the manufacturer to examine the vehicle and confirmed that the high voltage battery was faulty. The contact was later informed that the manufacturer had authorized the high voltage battery replacement. The failure mileage was 91,000. The VIN was not available.

1/11/2024

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact's son owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to an oil leak caused by a puncture in the oil filter. The vehicle was repaired. The contact's son had informed the dealer that he had been smelling a fuel odor inside the vehicle; however, the dealer informed the contact's son that the odor was probably a burning oil odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel rail was leaking and needed to be replaced. The mechanic contacted the dealer who informed him that the part was on a national backorder. The mechanic replaced the part with a used part; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered a coupon towards the purchase of a new vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The contact stated the Volt engine starts periodically even if it has battery power available. The engine forces itself on and can not be turned off manually.

2/6/2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 lurched backward and crashed into a utility pole. During the incident, the driver 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's extended coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was 89,800.

9/16/2024

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:FUSES, RELAYS, CONTACTS, AND SHUNTS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Engine Propulsion Reduced" message was displayed, and the vehicle was driven to an Auto Parts store. The contact called the local dealer and was advised to replace the propulsion fuse in the vehicle. The contact purchased a replacement fuse and replaced the faulty fuse. The vehicle was driven to the dealer two days later to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the EGR valve had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

9/27/2024

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Engine Propulsion Reduced" message was displayed, and the vehicle was driven to an Auto Parts store. The contact called the local dealer and was advised to replace the propulsion fuse in the vehicle. The contact purchased a replacement fuse and replaced the faulty fuse. The vehicle was driven to the dealer two days later to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the EGR valve had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

9/27/2024

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt?

The most reported complaint category for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with 68 owner reports. That is about 26% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.

Are complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Volt a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 184 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Volt severe?

184 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Chevrolet Volt: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
266
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

We may earn a commission via links on this page.

In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

Buyer guideMaintenance guideRecall report

Get recall and ownership alerts for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt

Get our free model-year alerts and ownership updates.

Sign Up

We may earn a commission if you buy parts through our links. Learn more.

Carfocal

Automotive Research

Real data on vehicle reliability, safety, and ownership costs.

  • Used Car Research
  • Reliability Rankings
  • Buying Guides

  • Data Sources & Methodology
  • Editorial Standards
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Carfocal · All Rights Reserved