The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 73,000 Chevrolet Volts due to power loss issues. There have been reports of sudden power loss, inability to restart, and other problems. The NHTSA is conducting a preliminary evaluation of 2016-2019 model year Volts after receiving 61 complaints related to the battery energy control module. Some owners have reported that their vehicles experienced power loss without warning, while others have had to wait months for a replacement battery module. General Motors has stated that there are enough replacement parts available.
General Motors had previously issued a technical service bulletin, stating that if the vehicle cannot restart, the BECM may need to be replaced and reprogrammed, but the company did not recall the vehicles. General Motors ended production of the Volt in early 2019. General Motors said it is cooperating with NHTSA’s investigation and believes the company has “taken appropriate steps to address customer concerns about the vehicle’s battery energy control module, but will continue to support NHTSA’s review of the issue.” NHTSA stated that if the vehicle suddenly loses power while driving, this issue may pose a safety risk, and if the vehicle cannot restart after stalling, the problem becomes more serious.