2016 Chevrolet Volt Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 30%of 170 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt, 30% of the 170 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This vehicle has a shift to park message that been seen on many GM vehicles. Some of the owner sites I have been to say that this is covered under warranty. I have not been so lucky with GM. The dealer did cover 1 repair of this problem but now says I have to pay. The problem has returned and persists. A shift to park message is displayed on the dash after the car is in park and will not shutdown. I have attached all the documentation that I have.”
NHTSA complaint #11289014, filed 2019-12, 30,217 miles“When I put the car in park and try to turn it off, I frequently get an error on the gauge display that says action required, shift to park. This is very frustrating. When this error happens, I'm unable to power off the car or lock the doors. I turn the car back on, jiggle the shifter or move it into drive and back to park, and then try turning the car off again. Sometimes I have to go through this process 5 or more times before the car will power down. This error happens about half the time that I use my car, which makes it a daily problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11414456, filed 2021-04, 46,000 miles“The vehicle does not recognize it has been shifted into park, which does not allow the vehicle to be turned off. Dash display states 'action required, shift to park'. This happens consistently and is a known issue by Chevrolet. Yet they have not issued any recall. It is known as the 'shift to park' issue. There is no work-around for the issue other than shifting back and forth into gears, sometimes hundreds of times, before the error clears. For example: my wife took my daughter to an emergency room and could not get the vehicle to turn off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11342642, filed 2020-08, 36,000 miles“After putting the shift lever in park, then powering the vehicle off the dashboard would advise to shift the vehicle in park. Could not lock vehicle, lights would remain on. This could be worked around by pressing the shifter knob a few times to clear the message. Brought vehicle in for regular service, was advised there was a short in the wiring harness related to the shifter knob. Harness was replaced, issue has not repeated. It has been noted online that this is a common issue with generation 2 volts, I wanted to add my vehicle to the list of those affected.”
NHTSA complaint #11360707, filed 2020-09, 48,000 miles“My vehicle was stationary in a left turn lane at an intersection. I took my foot off the gas and pressed the gas pedal to accelerate the car through the intersection. When I pressed the gas, the car did not accelerate. I repeatedly tried to accelerate and the car seemed to not even idle because it would roll backwards when the brake was released. After a while there was some weird noises and the car did some unusual shaking. I also observed on my dashboard that the car was switching between the electric battery power and the gas fuel power. …”
NHTSA complaint #10958862, filed 2017-03, 1,080 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11005311Jul 9, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10251901Mar 13, 2024This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of seeing an intermittent Shift to Park message displayed while vehicle is in Park.
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10245198Oct 16, 2023This service bulletin provides Diagnostic Aid information for Speed Limited Message or Reduced Propulsion Power Message With no DTCs.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 16 | 47% |
| 2018 | 85 | 37% |
| 2017 | 221 | 31% |
| 2016 | 51 | 30% |
| 2015 | 6 | 14% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 24 | 8% |
| 2012 | 22 | 9% |
| 2011 | 3 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt
77 complaintsFuel system
65 complaintsEngine
48 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology