2013 Chevrolet Volt Fuel System Problems

Gasoline is leaking from your fuel tank at the filler inlet (where you add gas), creating large puddles under your car after refueling. This causes dangerous fume buildup, especially in enclosed spaces like a garage. The fuel tank assembly appears to have a defect that needs immediate attention.

Your car has displayed a "propulsion power reduced" error message multiple times. Although a recall was issued for this problem in 2018 and may have been completed on your car by the previous owner, the issue continues to happen. The recall fix might involve updating the vehicle's software, replacing faulty sensors, or servicing the hybrid propulsion control system.

When you start a fully charged drive in L or D mode on terrain with downhill sections, your instrument cluster shows unexpected increased electrical output instead of the normal negative power output you'd expect during regenerative braking. When you come to a complete stop during these conditions, your car jerks forward violently and tries to accelerate on its own, even with full brake pressure applied—the emergency brake doesn't stop this behavior either. Shifting to neutral stops the jerking, but shifting back to L or D mode causes it to resume. The fix will likely involve diagnosing and recalibrating the regenerative braking system, battery management software, or related electrical components.

Your Volt unexpectedly entered reduced power mode and then shut off while you were driving on the highway. You believe this is the same issue covered by recall 18V397000, which wasn't applied to your vehicle. The problem may require clearing fault codes with a specialized diagnostic scanner at a dealership, which can be costly.

Your Volt's engine is shutting off unexpectedly while driving, including once at 60 mph on the freeway, and you're seeing an "Engine not available" message. Restarting the car temporarily fixes the problem, but it has happened multiple times, and you're also getting codes related to reduced propulsion. The engine RPM runs erratically at times, and clearing the diagnostic codes doesn't resolve the issue.

When your Volt's battery runs low and the car switches to low-power mode on steep hills, it slows down significantly but the brake lights don't turn on to warn other drivers behind you. This creates a safety risk because drivers won't realize you're slowing and may follow too closely. The fix would involve updating the car's software to automatically activate the brake lights whenever the low-power mode engages.

1)A diagnostic inspection performed by Terry Labonte Chevrolet in Greensboro, N.C., during the week of Feb. 5-9 found that the car’s propulsion system suffered “catastrophic failure” and was a “total loss.” 2)My wife and I were in convoy when we drove off the used-car lot in Pittsboro, N.C., on [XXX], heading for my sister’s home in Greensboro. By the time we reached [XXX], the Volt would not reach highway speeds as heavy traffic sped past. As NHTSA has reported in another Volt investigation, “the problem could pose a safety risk if vehicles can’t move with the flow of surrounding traffic and is more serious if a stalled vehicle is unable to restart.” 3) On Tuesday, [XXX], a Terry Labonte Chevrolet service representative in Greensboro reported that the main battery had experienced “catastrophic” failure and the “major malfunction” represented a “total loss." 4) Factory dealer Terry Labonte Chevrolet in Greensboro performed the diagnostics. 5) An instrument-panel message appeared about 15 minutes after I drove the Volt off the used-car lot in Pittsboro. The message read “propulsion power is reduced.” The owner manual (Page 5-48) read: “The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on, but maximum acceleration and speed may be reduced.” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

We purchased this car used in January 2023. Several times throughout 2023 we have gotten a Propoulsion Power Reduced warning. When this happens the car’s ability to accelerate drops and we have also had problems getting it to charge. Following one incident, we let the car sit for 4 days. While the car still would not charge using our at home level 2 charger, the warning went away and I was able to drive it to a dealership. They ran a software update which they said should resolve the issue. Three times since then, when turning the car on from parked it in parking lots away from home, it has given the warning. While driving the car to get it home, the warning has spontaneously resolved.

Car suddenly lost ability to accelerate normally while driving. It could only accelerate extremely slowly, seemingly with great effort. It displayed “PROPULSION POWER REDUCED SERVICE ENGINE SOON” and ENGINE NOT AVAILABLE” messages on the dashboard, and a check engine light came on. It sounds like it may be related to current GM recall 18215/ NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V397000, but nothing comes up when I search for this VIN.

I was driving through the grapevine and my car was losing propulsion. I had to drive in the slow lane with the semi-trucks. The semi trucks had to go around me. I am nervous about driving my car on a road trip to North Cal. I am not sure if that is normal, but I don't think so. The airbag light just went on. I am not sure why. My car has also on several occasions lost traction. Has anyone reported these problems before?

My 2013 Volt has turned off while driving on multiple occasions, usually while on the highway. I have taken it to the Chevy dealer on several occasions and they are unable to find the problem. The vehicle "Propulsion System" warning has come on when the car suddenly decelerated while on the highway and eventually turned off. The vehicle is at the Chevy dealer who tells me they cells were not balanced and is no longer functioning. They are unable to replace the battery because Chevy is not releasing them so now the car is a paperweight in their parkinglot. Stopping on the highway is a serious problem.

Before battery ran out went to gas, I got the Propulsion Power Limited warning on the dash slowed gradually to a halt, next day car is dead, it won't start or change, nothing. Code P0AFA and P1E00. All recalls were done a year before

THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE HAS LOST PROPULSION POWER RESULTING IN REDUCED ACCELERATION AND NO LONGER STARTING. IT IS AT A DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR REPAIRS. THE RECALL INSTRUCTIONS WERE COMPLETED IN 2019; HOWEVER, I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER IS NOW JUST CHARGING ME FOR REPLACEMENT ITEMS (112 VOLT BATTERY, CLUSTER) INSTEAD OF DEALING WITH THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE VOLTEC BATTERY THAT IS UNDER WARRANTY.

THIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOOSES PROPULSION WHILE DRIVING AND IT SWITCHES FROM ELECTRIC TO GAS. IT HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, BUT THIS LAST TIME I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED.

OVERALL BATTERY LIFE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN REDUCED FROM AVERAGE 38 MILES AT FULL CHARGE TO 31 MILES.

I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY OR PROPULSION CONTROL SYSTEM. I GOT A RECALL NOTICE TO FIX "LOSS OF PROPULSION DUE TO LOW CELL VOLTAGE". THE SERVICE TEAM WAS VERY NICE, I SAT IN THEIR WAITING ROOM FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS. THEY SAID IT WAS DONE SO I THEN WENT TO WORK FOR A COUPLE HOURS. WHEN DRIVING HOME I GET TO THE POINT WHERE THE INITIAL ELECTRICAL BATTERY IS DEPLETED AND THEN IT TURNS ON THE GAS GENERATOR. I IMMEDIATELY GET AN ALERT "LOSS OF PROPULSION" AND THE CAR STOPS ACCELERATING AND DRIVES VERY DIFFERENT. LOW ACCELERATION, AC TURNS OFF. I MAKE IT HOME AND THEN THE CHARGING SYSTEM SAYS IT IS NOT WORKING. I TRY TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND IT DOESN'T LET ME PUT IT IN GEAR. I CALLED ON STAR AND THEY SCHEDULED A TOW TRUCK TO COME AND HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES.

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE MAIN HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY IS DEPLETED, I HAVE A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN SPEED AND ZERO ACCELERATION. I GET A DASHBOARD ALERT "PROPULSION POWER REDUCED". "REDUCED" IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT! THE GAS ENGINE TRIES TO KEEP UP WITH SPEED BY RAMPING UP THE RMPS. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED FORCES OTHER CARS TO AVOID ME AND I CANNOT INCREASE MY SPEED IF NEEDED. I EXPECT I WILL BE REAR ENDED OR LOSE CONTROL WHEN THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. ENGINE REVS EXTREMELY HIGH. I USUALLY PULL OVER AND TURN OFF VEHICLE- SOMETIMES A RESTARTS FIXES IT. I HAVE ALSO WAITED (5 MINS?) WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AT HIGH RMPS HOPING THE BATTERY WOULD RECOVER, BUT NO. I ALSO FEAR THE GAS ENGINE WILL OVERHEAT. THE CAR CAN NO LONGER DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS SAFELY AFTER DEPLETION AND CANNOT ACCELERATE SUFFICIENTLY EVEN IN A 30MPH ZONE. THIS IS A CONTINUING ISSUE AND HAS HAPPENED FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY IS BAD, BUT THE MAIN BATTERY CHARGES AND DRIVES FINE UNTIL IT IS DEPLETED. I NOW DON'T DRIVE FARTHER THAN WHAT THE EV BATTERY CAN ACHIEVE. (ALL OTHER CURRENT RECALL ISSUES, SOFTWARE UPDATES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED)

DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, MULTIPLE LANES.." REDUCED POWER" MESSAGE APPEARS ON DASH..CAR SHUTS DOWN IMMEDIATELY...NO STEERING ASSIST...BRAKES OKAY...STUCK IN MIDDLE LANES WITH NO PROPULSION...LUCKILY A FIRETRUCK HAPPENED BY AND WAS PUSHED OFF THE ROAD...CAR TOWED TO DEALER. INFORMED MULTIPLE VOLTS TOWED IN FOR SAME ISSUE. ALSO INFORMED EXTREME BACKORDER FOR REPAIR BATTERY ACROSS U. S. TOLD APPROX 2 MONTH WAIT FOR BATTERY SECTION...ONCE THIS BATTERY FAILS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, YOU ARE DEAD IN THE WATER...NO POWER STEERING AND UNABLE TO MOVE IN OR OUT OF TRAFFIC...IF THIS DEALER HAS 3 CARS, HOW MANY UNSAFE CARS ARE THERE ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS OVER 75 MPH, THE "PROPULSION POWER LOW DECREASE SPEED" MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE SPEED DECREASED TO 55 MPH. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, SMOKE WAS PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 8/27/14, AND RESULTED IN MY WIFE ME TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND TREATED FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT OUR HOME. THE VOLT WAS PARKED IN THE ENCLOSED GARAGE ON 8/26 AROUND 7PM. THE 240 VOLT CHARGER WAS PLUGGED IN AS USUAL. I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL AFTER PLUGGING IN THE CHARGER, AND THE VOLT WAS LEFT UNATTENDED UNTIL THE EMS ARRIVED AROUND 11AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE EMS PERSONNEL FOUND THE ENGINE RUNNING, VERY HIGH LEVELS OF CO UPON ENTERING THE GARAGE AND EVEN HIGHER LEVELS INSIDE THE CAR. THE INSIDE OF THE PASSAGE COMPARTMENT WAS DESCRIBED AS HOT. THE FRONT EXTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS TO HOT TO TOUCH AND THE CAR REAR WARM. THE TEMPERATURE UNDER THE CAR HOOD WAS DESCRIBED AS "RED HOT". THE ENGINE HAD CONSUMED AROUND 5 GALLONS OF GAS DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. DISTRIBUTION OF THE CO THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE A/C AIR HANDLER WHICH IS LOCATED INSIDE THE GARAGE. DATA DUMPS REVEALED POWER AND STARTING BATTERIES WERE EXHAUSTED, AND NO FAULT FLAGS DROPPED. I BELIEVE THE INCIDENT HAS REVEALED: -THE TEMPERATURE LEVELS REACHED UNDER THE HOOD PROBABLY EXCEEDED THE SAFE OPERATING LEVELS OF THE DIGITAL SYSTEMS SOLID STATE JUNCTIONS RENDERING ANY DATA COLLECTED (OR NOT COLLECTED) AS UNRELIABLE. -THE LITHIUM ION AND STARTING BATTERIES WERE TOTALLY W/O CHARGE. HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN WHEN THE SOLE FUNCTION OF THE GAS ENGINE ( WHICH WAS RUNNING WHEN DISCOVERED BY THE FIREMEN ) IS TO CHARGE THESE BATTERIES UNLESS A FAILURE OCCURRED. NOTE: ALL PERSONAL INFO STORED IN THE CAR ENTERTAINMENT HARD DRIVE SYSTEM WAS LOST. -HOW CAN THE CAR OUTSIDE SURFACE GET THAT HOT? ONE POSSIBILITY IS THE BODY IS TEMPORARILY USED AS A RETURN GROUND PASSING VERY HIGH LEVELS OF CURRENT BECAUSE OF A FAILURE. *TR