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2017 Chevrolet Volt Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Chevrolet Volt has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “EGR valve failure with blown fuse and reduced propulsion.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Chevrolet Volt.

Reported to NHTSA

EGR valve failure with blown fuse and reduced propulsion

ENGINE

85 NHTSA complaints · 2024-03 → 2026-04

“On July 21st, 2024, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve failed. It blows the “Non Walk Home” F03 fuse, resulting in the check engine light and a “Propulsion Power is Reduced” warning message. The vehicle is not to be driven in this condition. The EGR valve is included in”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11617677
“The EGR valve had an electrical short, causing the 15A F03 fuse to blow. This causes a "reduced propulsion" message to appear and also causes the vehicle to start overheating. The faulty EGR valve is available for inspection. This failure occurred while we were on the interstate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11594279
“The EGR valve failed. This caused the vehicle to have insufficient propulsion while driving. The dealer has confirmed the EGR valve is the problem. The vehicle is at the dealership. The check engine light came on. The dealer is now stating the replacement EGR valve is a $4000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11642680

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Propulsion Power Reduced message with loss of speed

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

36 NHTSA complaints · 2024-03 → 2026-06

“Driving at freeway speeds when suddenly the cars propulsion power failed and I went from 75mph to 45mph with no warning and no way to accelerate. Happened multiple times even after pulling over and turning the car on and off. I was told by the dealership that was a gas engine”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11591648
“The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The contact stated that the message "Propulsion Power Reduced" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact had”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11620665
“While driving on the highway there was sudden power loss with a message on the display stating "propulsion reduced" and had to pull over”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11617000

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Battery Energy Control Module loss of motive power

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

26 NHTSA complaints · 2024-06 → 2026-07

“While driving approximately 65 MPH on an interstate highway, the vehicle's check engine light illuminated. Very shortly after, the dashboard screen displayed the message "propulsion power reduced," and the internal combustion engine turned on. The vehicle's power was”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11678683
“The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the “Propulsion Power Reduced” message in the driver information center was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11643871
“While driving at highway speeds over 100 miles away from home with my child in the vehicle, the car experienced a sudden, catastrophic loss of propulsion power and entered 'Propulsion Power Reduced' mode, dropping vehicle speed immediately and creating an extreme hazard with”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11745949

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Battery Energy Control Module no-start or no-charge

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

26 NHTSA complaints · 2024-04 → 2026-08

“The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start while parked. The check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11725069
“Without warning, my car stopped charging. Noticed it was at 0 miles despite charging it the night before. Believing I may have not properly connected the home cord (supplied by Chevy) to the car, I chalked it up to being my mistake and plugged in again the next night. Same”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11611652
“The contact stated that while attempting to turn the vehicle on the vehicle did not start. The contact stated that vehicle restarted after an hour. The contact stated the during the second occasion the vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11701739

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Shift to Park message with vehicle not powering off

POWER TRAIN

14 NHTSA complaints · 2024-04 → 2025-07

“When moving the shifter to the "P" position after parking, the car will refuse to turn off with the message on the dash: "Action Needed: Shift to Park". Shifter is in Park position but car will not recognize this and does not turn off. The issue can sometimes be resolved by”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11649108
“The contact stated that upon arriving to his destination and moving the shift lever into park(P), the warning message " Shift to Park" was displayed, preventing the vehicle from turning off. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11668159
“Shifter malfunctions when shifted to PARK. Car does not recognize shifted to PARK and error message appears on dash. States, SHIFT TO PARK. Will not fully shut off vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11661334

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

8 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

8

complaints mentioning a crash

9

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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