Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2017 Chevrolet Volt
The 2017 Chevrolet Volt has no NHTSA recall campaigns, but a high number of owner complaints, especially regarding electrical and fuel/propulsion systems. Common issues may exist, but the exact causes are unclear due to the lack of recall data. Proceed with caution and conduct a thorough inspection.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2017 Chevrolet Volt has no NHTSA recall campaigns and 703 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 313 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 236 complaints
- Power Train 221 complaints
- Engine 184 complaints
- Unknown or Other 114 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 32 complaints
Of the 703 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 9 a fire; across all 703 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Frequent system failures
How to check: Test all electrical components for functionality.
Power loss issues
How to check: Observe engine power and smoothness during drive.
Poor gear shifting
How to check: Check for smooth gear transitions during driving.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Check for abnormal noises or failure to start.
Red flag: Unusual noises when starting.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Observe any warning lights on the dash.
Red flag: Dashboard warning lights on.
- 03
City driving
What to check: Monitor responsiveness and transmission shifts.
Red flag: Rough or delayed gear shifts.
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Check for smooth acceleration and power.
Red flag: Hesitation or loss of power.
- 05
Deceleration
What to check: Listen for brake noise or vibration.
Red flag: Noisy or vibrating brakes.
- 06
Parking
What to check: Test all parking sensors and cameras.
Red flag: Non-functional sensors or cameras.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the electrical system been repaired?
- Any issues with the fuel system?
- Experiencing engine power loss recently?
- Is the transmission smoothly shifting gears?
- Any warning lights on the dashboard?
- What's the vehicle's service history?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Service records
- Title and registration
- Previous sales receipt
- Warranty documents
- Inspection reports
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2017 Chevrolet Volt at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2017 Chevrolet Volt? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.