A US auto safety regulator is opening a probe into 73,000 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid cars over reports of abrupt loss of power, failures to restart and other issues. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is opening the preliminary evaluation into models ranging from 2016 through 2019 model year. The probe has been initiated after 61 complaints were received tied to the battery energy control module (BECM) of the models. Some people said there was little to no warning before the loss of operating power or reduction in power mode.
GM cooperating with NHTSA
General Motors had previously issued a technical service bulletin saying if vehicles fail to restart, the BECM may need to be replaced and reprogrammed but the company did not recall vehicles, NHTSA told Reuters. However, the company has said that it is cooperating with the safety regulator and that it believes it has “taken appropriate action to remedy customer concerns related to the battery energy control module but will continue to support the agency’s review of the matter”. The company ended production of Volt in early 2019.
Owners’ complaints
Among complaints received by NHTSA in this regard, some mention that they have waited for months or been unable to get replacement battery modules after experiencing the issue. Replying to this, GM said it has a sufficient replacement parts in its supply pipeline. One owner from Los Angeles said that the Volt “suddenly, and unexpectedly lost propulsion while driving. The vehicle is no longer able to turn on or drive.” Another owner reported that the Volt would not drive more than over 35 miles per hour on the highway “and it stops driving on electricity randomly.”
NHTSA has warned that the issue may pose a safety risk if vehicles cannot move with the flow of surrounding traffic and is more serious depending on a stalled vehicle’s ability to restart.