Chevrolet Volt transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2019

371 of the 1,126 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Volt 2016–2019 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2017 (219), 2018 (85), 2016 (51). Filed under the same heading across these years: no document yet. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.

371 complaints, 4 model years 33% of everything filed about the Volt typically at 34k miles

Chevrolet Volt transmission and drivetrain problems by model year

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

One row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.

Model year	Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain	Share of the year’s	Typically at	On file under the heading
2019	16	47%	—	67 TSBs	the year →
2018 in depth	85	38%	24k	96 TSBs	the record →
2017 in depth	219	31%	35k	107 TSBs	the record →
2016 in depth	51	30%	40k	124 TSBs	the record →

Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.

When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage

Source: NHTSA complaint database

371complaints name the transmission and drivetrain, all years

Filed per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 2 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 9 · 2019: 21 · 2020: 81 · 2021: 62 · 2022: 48 · 2023: 44 · 2024: 54 · 2025: 32 · 2026: 14

34kmiles, typically

Across the model years, half of the 136 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 24,000 and 49,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.

In owners’ own words

Source: NHTSA complaint database

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.

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

Power Train at 27,000 miles Sep 23, 2019 NHTSA owner report

The dealership tells me that without fixing this the vehicle may not turn off. Since it is a hybrid it may then turn on silently generating carbon monoxide. Recently when I stop and turn off the car via the dash push button sometimes(but not always) the console says "action required.

Power Train at 52,000 miles Sep 10, 2019 NHTSA owner report

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while the gear shifter was in PARK, the shift to park warning light illuminated and the vehicle failed to turn off or change gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the gear shifter assembly mechanism failed and needed to be replaced.

Power Train at 28,995 miles Jul 13, 2021 NHTSA owner report

I have the shift to park error come on sporadically when the car is in park. Clicking the shift trigger a few times usually fixes it. Car won't fully turn off when the message is displayed

Power Train Jun 16, 2021 NHTSA owner report

While turning off vehicle: vehicle is shifted to park ignition button is pressed message appears on console 'action required: shift to park' vehicle will not turn off with prndl in park position

Power Train at 45,000 miles Jul 11, 2020 NHTSA owner report

What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years

Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications

Nothing filed under this heading on these model years.

Other systems with a record on the Chevrolet Volt

Source: the same files

Every system, every model year: Chevrolet Volt problems by year →

From here

Every 2027 model on file, by price Compare two vehicles, trim vs trim See what a VIN was priced at See what owners reported

Common questions

Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communications

Which Chevrolet Volt years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?

2017, 219; 2018, 85; 2016, 51. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (47%).

Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Chevrolet Volt?

No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.

When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Chevrolet Volt?

Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 34,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 24,000 and 49,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.

What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?

The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.