Is the 2017 Chevrolet Volt a bad year?
702 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 221, 22× a quiet Volt year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 26k–51k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 0 of 221 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Volt owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 35,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 313 (45%) | 27k–57k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 237 (34%) | 15k–45k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 221 (31%) | 26k–51k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 185 (26%) | 15k–73k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed control | 31 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 26 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 16 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 12 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 35,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 702 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
40 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
After shifting to park to turn off the vehicle a shift to park message is displayed and the vehicle can not be turned off.
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.
After I shift the vehicle into park and press the button to turn off the car, a warning comes up and says "Shift to park." I cannot turn off the car until the message clears.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 35,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 439
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Chevrolet Volt. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Correct a customer concern of seeing an intermittent Shift to Park message displayed while vehicle is in Park
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Diagnostic Aid information for Speed Limited Message or Reduced Propulsion Power Message With no DTCs
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Pedestrian alert sounds
Neighbouring years
2016 Volt: 170 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2018 Volt: 228 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Chevrolet Volt year
2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All Volt years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Volt a bad year?
702 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 221, 22× a quiet Volt year. At 35,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 26k–51k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 0 of 221 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (313), fuel system (237), transmission and drivetrain (221), engine (185), speed control (31). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 26k–51k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Volt have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.