2018 Chevrolet Volt Fuel System Problems

Your car's power suddenly dropped to 5 mph while driving in heavy city traffic, creating a safety risk. The dealership confirmed the Battery Energy Control Module is faulty and needs replacement, but GM refused coverage because this component was already replaced once in 2021 under a recall program. Even after a software update, the problem returned with warning lights for reduced propulsion and a check engine light.

Your Chevy Volt is experiencing repeated warnings that propulsion power is being reduced, along with check engine lights that show no diagnostic codes. After these warnings appear, your car loses acceleration and becomes undrivable, forcing you to either pull over or drive home slowly on side streets. The electric battery range has also dropped significantly to just 17 miles per charge. Fixing this will likely require diagnostic testing to identify the root cause in the propulsion system and possibly software updates or battery/electrical component replacement.

Your car loses power when driving at high speeds, and the check engine light comes on along with a low propulsion warning message on the dashboard. Additionally, your car's battery isn't charging properly. This issue may require diagnostic testing to identify electrical or battery system faults, and possibly replacement of the battery management system or charging components.

Your emissions pipe may rub against the A/C hose connector and become damaged, even after a dealership repair. This was the subject of a 2020 GM recall, but the original fix apparently didn't prevent the problem from recurring—your check engine light came back on due to the same issue. The fix likely involves repositioning or protecting the emissions pipe so it no longer contacts the A/C hose.

BECM module is failing producing a reduced propulsion message. This is happening while driving which is a safety issue. Limiting the ability to drive, handle and brake with the vehicle.

Vehicle produced error without any warning about propulsion system no longer working shortly after low fuel warning when tank is fuel and engine fails and vehicles comes to a crawl.

Yesterday, my daughter was driving on [XXX] in Seattle traveling around 65mph when the vehicle lost power and reported the error of "shift to park", "Propulsion reduced" and "StabiliTrak failure". Luckily, she coasted to an off-ramp and safely put the vehicle in park. Thankfully she was not involved in an accident, but was very shaken by the experience. After doing some research it seems that the Chevy Volt has a known issue with the BECM and GM has failed to issue a recall, putting thousands of lives at risk. After turning the vehicle on and off several times, she was able to get it started and with minimal propulsion on residential streets was able to return to our house. this morning I dropped the vehicle at our local GM dealer for diagnosis and repair, but wanted to file a report, to hopefully prevent this from happening to another unsuspecting driver/child. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the EVAP pipe was rubbing against the air conditioning hose connector. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under GM Campaign Number: N192273600; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 84,800.

Randomly getting Propulsion power is reduced and loss power while driving. Been force to pull over to the side on the freeway to restart the car.

I think this is an EGR or BECM issue. Yes, the car is available for inspection. I plan on calling the local dealership soon. The car loses speed and does not respond to the accelerator. It must be turned off and back on again to function properly. This is very dangerous when it happens in traffic. The check engine light comes on, and a reduced propulsion message has appeared. This has happened several times over the past couple of weeks. Each time, I was driving in normal mode, using electric power. Suddenly, the electric range displayed zero miles left, the gas engine turned on, but the car lost speed and would not respond to the accelerator. I have not had it inspected because I don't know how to force it to replicate. I don't want to pay for the dealership to diagnose a problem they won't find.

I have had 3 separate "Low Propulsion" warnings pop up, in combination with a check engine light, in the last 9 months. Everytime I take it to the dealership, they say it was a same code, and something to do with the oil valve. They repair it, and 3 months later it happens again. Going in for my 4'th repair soon, but I just saw there was a recall issued on the BCEM, but apparently it only applies to certain VINs? I have seen online posts from people saying they had to call GM to get them to approve the recall for their vehicles. Why would it only be certain vins?

Reduced Power/Low Propulsion warning, Check engine light. Car may experience reduced power. Could be hazardous at high speed. Dealer diagnosed vehicle and found bad EGR valve. Part is on back order with consumers waiting months even years for replacement part

While driving in August 2023, the vehicle seemed to lose acceleration power and a warning regarding the reduced propulsion appeared. The vehicle was taken in to the dealership and the diagnosis was that the EGR valve needed to be replaced. Still waiting on the issue to be resolved as GM doesn't seem to have the part required to fix the problem.

The "module" that controls the engine's charging of the battery failed and the car quickly went into reduced power mode and then quickly shut down altogether this happened within a mile or so. Fortunately this happened on a parkway where I could get to the curb safely. However, I had just come off [XXX] in St. Louis with very heavy 65 MPH traffic, and had it shut down a few miles earlier I would have been in real trouble. I understand the NHTSA has opened an investigation into this type of problem with the Volt, but I have also heard that G M is reporting they have the parts to fix cars that are affected. This is not true! I live in Lenexa, KS, and my Volt is at ELCO Chevrolet in Baldwin MO. The service representative told me on [XXX] the part I need is "on backorder" and he has no idea when the part might be supplied to him. Apparently, GM does not have this part anywhere in the world, a part without which the car will not move. This is inexcusable! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On 8/3/ 2023, my 2018 Chevrolet Volt lost propulsion power while I was camping in the Lassen National Forest near Susanville, CA. I was leaving my campsite when I was on the way to Bend, OR when the car lost power and went into limp mode. It was a two lane road on CA 36 without a shoulder, so I was stuck on a travel lane. I was able to turn the car off and on for a few seconds where I would reach a maximum speed of about 15 mph for about 5-10 seconds before the car would go into limp mode again. I did this for about 20 to 30 times until I reached an incline and the car did not have enough power to inch up the hill, so I had to push the car down the travel lane to the nearest open space I could find that would not block the travel lane. After walking two miles to get cell phone reception, I was able to contact AAA where then towed my vehicle two hours south to the nearest Chevrolet dealership in Reno, NV (Champion Chevrolet). I had to rent a car to continue my trip and eventually get back home. On 8/21/2023, I was contacted by Champion Chevrolet and was told that the issue was the issue was the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) and that was going to be covered under warranty. However, they noted that the BECM was on national backorder and that there was no ETA for when they would receive the part. Because of this, I had to extend my rental for the month at a cost of about $1,800 to be able to get home to Los Angeles. As I write this on 12/1/2023, I have still not received my vehicle from the dealership and the part is still not available. I've now lost almost 4 months of use of my car and still make payments on it, after I purchased it at lease end. The car had about 55,000 miles on the odometer when the car stopped working and the BECM issue was discovered. The status on the part for my car is still backordered with no ETA. After reading GMs claims they have sufficient replacements in supply, I write this complaint to call their bluff, as no parts are available.

Upon attempting to start the car, displayed "Propulsion Power Is Reduced" error message and "Check Engine" light came on, and the car failed to start. Mission Bay Chevrolet on Morena Blvd in San Diego repaired the car by replacing the BECM. This repair was covered under the Voltec warranty, so I was not charged for it, but lost usage of the car for 18 days it was in the shop. November 8-26, 2021.

The car lost propulsion while driving on an on-ramp road onto an interstate, luckily the car was able to make it the shoulder. Vehicle slowed to below 40mph and intermittently down to 0mph when waiting and restarting vehicle. Able to finally get home in the emergency lane. VERY DANGEROUS and do not recommend! The check engine light was not on prior to this and it was taken to the dealership where it diagnosed as a faulty battery energy control module (BECM). The part is under warranty and awaiting replacement, but no spare parts are currently available. Internet review indicates an average of 3 months or 90-day until part received, serviced, installed, and repaired. Dealership without loaner car until November 22nd. Unacceptable customer service per previous GM rules to have a rental available and did not offer a rental service alternative upon drop off of the 2018 Volt.

The BECM (Battery Electric Charging Module) is failing, and making my Chevrolet Volt unsafe to drive. I can't get over 35 miles per hour on the highway, and it stops driving on electricity randomly. Going from 25 miles to saying 0 miles of EV charge while driving on the road. It also says "reduced propulsion", and has a hard time accelerating from a complete stop.

My 2018 Chevrolet Volt has a defective Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). Because of the defect my car lost all propulsion while I was driving. Neither battery motor nor gasoline engine would work and the car would not switch between the two. I was literally stuck in the roadway (fortunately not on a highway. The Check Engine light was on. I was able to barely get the vehicle to a GM dealer, where they diagnosed a defective BECM. The part is apparently on back order and some owners have waited months for the part to arrive. This is a serious safety issue by potentially causing a vehicle to lose power while operating in traffic.

There is a good chance my battery energy control module will fail on the highway creating a dangerous situation. Why has a recall not been issued?

Although the battery showed fully charged, the vehicle was not using battery power. At various points I would receive a "propulsion power reduced warning" and the car would lose power. I was driving on 2-lane windy country roads with no passing zones and lots of hills. At one particularly steep hill, I received the warning light and the car started lowing power again. By the time I reached the crest, the car had nearly come to a complete standstill. I have no doubt had I not reached it at that point, the car would have lost all power and begun rolling backward. The speed limit on this road is 55mph with several blind curves and hills, so the potential for a serious collision was great had it begun to roll back. When I reached my destination and turned off the car and restarted it again, it would only shift to neutral. It is now at the dealership where it was diagnosed as needing the BECM replaced.

While driving, message suddenly pops up on the dashboard "propulsion power is reduced." Check engine light is light on.