The Lemon Index2017 Chevrolet Volt.
The 2017 Chevrolet Volt is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 196 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 856, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 42 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Volt year is 2016.
Lemon alert. 8.6× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2016
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 701 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Volt year. 2017 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 22K to 51K miles on the car (250 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 26K–56K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 7K–45K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 24K–51K miles
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power due to the battery energy control module2023–2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Volt 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I get an error message " shift to park" when the vehicle gear shift is in park.
2017 Chevrolet Volt owner · NHTSA complaint 11384277
More owner reports
When I attempt to turn off the vehicle, with the shift set to "p", I get a message that appears, "action required shift to park", and the vehicle will not turn off.
NHTSA complaint 11257440
Transmission will not shift to park. Will not allow car to shut off as it does not recognize the car in park.
NHTSA complaint 11298926
Quick answers
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Volt reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 8.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 856; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Volt year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2017 Chevrolet Volt problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (38%), transmission & drivetrain (38%) and fuel or ev drive system (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Volt have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Chevrolet Volt get?
42 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Volt safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Volt problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 22,000 and 51,200 miles. The middle report was at 36,000 miles, from 250 complaints.
Does the 2017 Chevrolet Volt have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2017 Chevrolet Volt cost in fuel a year?
About $1550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 Chevrolet Volt have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Volt year is better than the 2017?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2013 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works