2016 Chevrolet Volt Electrical System Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 30, 2026 · 77 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Volt, 46% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 45,558 miles. The words owners use most often: “shift park” (34% of reports).

77electrical system complaints
45,558median miles at failure
1mention a crash
0mention an injury
0related recalls
40%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

Shift park: mentioned in 26 of 77 complaints (34%)
Propulsion power: mentioned in 13 of 77 complaints (17%)
Battery energy control: mentioned in 10 of 77 complaints (13%)
Special coverage: mentioned in 8 of 77 complaints (10%)

At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?

Based on 27 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles1 · 4%

10k–25k miles6 · 22%

25k–50k miles8 · 30%

50k–75k miles2 · 7%

75k–100k miles6 · 22%

100k–150k miles2 · 7%

150k+ miles2 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 77 complaints, 1 mention a crash.

Chevrolet Volt electrical system complaints by model year

Peak: 2017, with 312 complaints

n = 704 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model year	Electrical System complaints	Share of that year	Median miles
2019 Volt	11	32%	40,000
2018 Volt	87	39%	33,300
2017 Volt	312	45%	38,500
2016 Volt	77	46%	45,558
2015 Volt	18	41%	57,000
2014 Volt	27	29%	47,300
2013 Volt	63	20%	57,000
2012 Volt	86	35%	73,200
2011 Volt	23	47%	64,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2024, with 25 complaints

n = 77 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (0)

No safety recall lists electrical system for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

I purchased the above-listed 2016 Chevrolet Volt through Carvana, relying on the contractual promise that the BECM was covered under Special Coverage N232432680 for up to 15yrs or 150k miles. The vehicle has suffered persistent, severe mechanical and electrical issues resulting in a prolonged loss…
Received Jun 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11745571

I have a 2016 Chevy volt. It had to be towed to a Chevy dealership because it will not drive. The BECM module has failed, as is apparently the case with so many volt owners. GM, as a result of lawsuits about this car, extended the warrantee to fix the issue, but my vin number is not included in the…
Received Mar 20, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11725794

While I driving in the past week, a warning that "propulsion power reduced" appeared on my dashboard several times. The last time that I had driven the car, the heater would not turn off, and the smell of burnt rubber filled the car and then dissipated soon after. The car would only run in it's gas…
Received Jan 14, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11711001

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2016 Chevrolet Volts have electrical system problems?

No. NHTSA has 77 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt (46% of the 169 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Chevrolet Volt electrical system?

No recall currently lists electrical system for this vehicle.

At what mileage do electrical system problems start?

The median reported mileage is 45,558 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Volt?

The most frequent phrase is “shift park”, in 26 of 77 complaints, followed by “propulsion power” (13).