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Hatchback · PHEV

Chevrolet Volt 2016-2019 (2nd gen)

Chevrolet Volt
Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration · source
Price
$33,170–$38,995
MPG
42 · 53 mi elec
  • Strength: Strong reliability
  • Strength: Strong running costs
  • Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
  • Watch-out: Below-average passenger space
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How it scores for you10 scores
Fifty-three miles of real electric range with a gas backup makes it the rare plug-in with no range anxiety; the snug rear seat and tiny hold are the price.
Reliability84

Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; none of its 3 recalls were serious. About 3% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted +5 points for its wider reputation.

Safety50

Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.

Running costs84

About $1,550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 84% of cars we track.

Cargo & utility0

10.6 cu ft of cargo space — among the smallest of the hatchbacks we track.

Passenger space35

Nominal five seats but the center rear is a token perch; outboard rear tight but workable

Driving fun50

294 lb-ft of instant torque and quicker responses than gen one; still an efficiency-first chassis

Tech55

Standard CarPlay/Android Auto from 2016 plus regen-on-demand paddle; competitive infotainment for its era

Comfort48

Smoother and quieter than gen 1; narrow cabin and low roofline hurt ingress

Value retention55

Typical resale value for a hatchback.

Capability0

No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.

Safety & recalls5 recalls

Not yet rated by NHTSA.

5 recalls · 5 common complaint areas across 2016–2019

  • Electrical — 225 complaints (2017)
  • Recall — Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper (2019)
  • Powertrain — 217 complaints (2017)

2019

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper18V576000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insuf

  • RecallSeat belts: rear/other18V673000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly pre

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain16 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted to park(P), the message to “Shift to Park” remained displayed. The contact was unable to turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that for approximately 10 minutes, the gear shifter was shifted out of and b

  • Complaint clusterElectrical8 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the battery high-voltage disconnect relay. The vehicle was not repaired due to a lack o

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other5 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    I am getting "shift to park" error when turning off vehicle. Vehicle does not shut off--problem is defect in the transmission and apparently this is fairly common defect yet there is no recall???

2018

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper18V576000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insuf

  • RecallSeat belts: rear/other18V673000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly pre

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain84 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    The vehicle frequently fails to register that the transmission has been shifted into Park. When this happens the instrument cluster displays "Action Required / Shift to Park" and the power (STOP/START) button will not shut the vehicle off. The condition is intermittent. I can usually clear it only b

  • Complaint clusterElectrical55 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    While driving on a highway the car started to hesitate, a message appeared on the console "Propulsion power is reduced" and the engine light turn on. After driving some miles, a new message appeared: "Engine unavailable, service soon" and the car only ran on electric power, no motor engine. I had t

  • Complaint clusterFuel and propulsion23 complaintscomplaints:FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    I was driving on an interstate in Seattle, and the car completely died. A check engine light went on. I had to roll into the shoulder and call for a tow to the dealership's service department. Here is what they found: ----60GCZ ENGINE REPAIR DIAG/ customer reports the ses lamp is on with reduced pr

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other22 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    I was driving back from [XXX] on XXX, when I received a "propulsion power limited" message on my dash with a check engine light. I pulled off to a nearby gas station and tried to scan the code to figure out what was going on when I then received the message "Engine unavailable" and the car shut off.

  • Complaint clusterEngine16 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    My wife and I were on a 200 mile trip and the engine failed about 150 miles into the trip. Was driving and the instrument panel indicated that the engine was in reduced power mode. I switched over to battery power but had only approximately 10 miles of range left so after a couple of miles I switche

2017

  • Complaint clusterElectrical225 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the "Propulsion Power Reduced" and "Shift to Park" messages were intermittently displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle lost automotive power and stalled, and the contact pulled over to the sho

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain217 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    Battery Energy Control Module Malfunction Module replaced but not covered under Special Coverage N232432680

  • Complaint clusterEngine69 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    3rd failure of EGR valve (GM part 12691147, superseded by 19436521) on this vehicle. 10/10/2019 at 11,336 mi: Check Engine Light and Driver Information Center displayed "Loss of Propulsion" message; EGR valve diagnosed as cause and replaced by dealer under warranty at no cost. 11/2023 at approx. 30,

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other67 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    My EGR system caused a check engine light. P0401 This is an extremely well documented issue on Gen2 Volts, especially 2017 models. Simply searching "EGR" on the Volt subreddit or forums returns hundreds of related threads. This issue can lead to a clogged EGR valve, causing further damage. A tempora

  • Complaint clusterFuel and propulsion47 complaintscomplaints:FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    While driving down highway rapidly slowed to 15mph. "reduced propulsion" was displayed with significant battery and gas left. Caused cars to swerve and pile up behind me. The car was inspected by dealer and received a variety of U26XXX codes. Dealer states its a faulty BECM. There was no warning lig

2016

  • RecallAirbags: frontal17V621000

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

  • Complaint clusterElectrical53 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    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 o

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain51 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    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 t

  • Complaint clusterFuel and propulsion19 complaintscomplaints:FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

    The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) on my 2016 Chevrolet Volt has failed. The vehicle and the component are currently located at my home address and are available for inspection upon request. As of writing this now. This failure caused the vehicle to enter a "reduced power mode" and subsequent

  • Complaint clusterEngine19 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    The engine light came on, but the car would run and so took it to the dealer. They determined that the EGR valve had failed and would cost $2400 to repair. Apparently, this is a common failure point for Generation 2 Chevy Volts. If it might trigger a forced recall, I'd like to add this to the list.

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other17 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    GM is not honoring coverage from N232432680 for CARB vehicles in non-CARB states. They have failed to tie CARB vehicle vins to the coverage in N232432680.

Cost to own$20,800 / 5 yr

MSRP, new

$33,170–$38,995

Estimated used price, by model year

2019$17,100–$20,000
2018$15,100–$17,700
2017$13,300–$15,600
2016$11,700–$13,700

$1,550/yr

EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.

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Specs
MSRPNew $33,170–$38,995
Efficiency42 MPG · 53 mi electric
Seats5
DrivetrainFWD
PowertrainPHEV

City MPG

43

Highway MPG

42

Combined MPG

42

Electric range

53 mi

Horsepower

149 hp

Doors

5

Cargo volume

10.6 cu ft

Limited data — dimensions unavailable.

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