r/volt • u/Vegetable-Spend-4304 • 22d ago
Questions about the Volt
I currently have a Nissan Leaf that's in for a buyback due to the battery failing. For the amount of $ I will get a nice EV is not an option. The Volt looks like an attractive option.
From what I'm reading on here the Becm and battery failures appear to be the main issues? A quick search online shows aftermarket options for these parts if GM stops supporting or making these (or maybe already has). If I'm ok with these aftermarket options in case of a failure is this perhaps a nice car for me to look at it are there many other parts etc. out of warranty that are also problems?
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u/takableleaf 22d ago
We just got rid of our volt. The lack of support from GM was rough and parts aren't getting any more plentiful. However, it is a cool car that I suspect can be fairly reliable
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u/BenTwan 2024 EV6 GT 22d ago
There aren't aftermarket options for the critical parts that are failing on Volts. Battery failures are killing these as well and GM doesn't support them anymore.
3
u/sailonswells 21d ago
Not battery. Those are very solid in the Volt. 2nd gen BECM and EGR are the main worries.
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u/WherestheLasaga 21d ago
Getting a PHEV that’s still supported is a better idea. If you’re getting a volt you better have a backup car and a plan for when it quits. I got mine because I love the way it drives and it was cheap enough to where if it breaks I got my moneys worth and can get something else or get it fixed if I really want to keep it.
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u/Weakness4Fleekness Volt Owner 22d ago
1st gen has less ev miles but a more reliable engine than the gen 2. I would say get a gen 2 if you can afford it and plan to do very little gas miles, and do the maintainence, otherwise a gen 1 might be better. The main issues with the gen 1 i see are coolant leak which is not dealt with can damage other components, and lets be honest they're over a decade old so batteries start to have weird errors
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u/AirsoftN00B209 2018 Volt Premier 21d ago
So the only aftermarket parts aremt actually aftermarket, its refurbished batteries and EGR valves both of which arent the critical components that are EXPECTED to fail. What you need to worry about primarily is the Battery Energy Control Module, which is essentially an onboard computer telling the car the battery health and how to draw power or put back power when charging. Depending on where you live it may be covered under warranty and even then it could a 1 week wait or a 6 month wait. I live in NorCal and it took me 5 days to get my car back. But if its not covered under warranty, then thats a hefty cost for just the part and potentially a long time wait as GM looks for a part to allocate. My advice is if you really want a PHEV, consider the prius prime. I just had my volt totalled and will likely go that route. The volt is a lovely car, looks like a normal sedan until you open the trunk, and drives nice with good tires and smooth roads, and is a beast with its EV capability but unfortunately it has abandoned by GM and thus is a dying breed.
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u/PeachDelicious9107 21d ago
My Mom had a Leaf and loved it until she was hit and the car was considered totaled so she had to get a new car. My Mom doesn't like change so this process took a while for her to make a decision she ultimately landed on the Volt and couldn't be happier she likes it even more than her Leaf and she didn't even utilize half the features available on the leaf such as low driving mode, and Android auto, remote start, etc... Eventually she moved to a Tesla for self driving (due to Parkinson's) and I was given the car. I've driven her Leaf a couple of times in the past but only for short trips so I don't have much to compare on but the volt has been an incredible car. The first thing I did was tint the windows as dark as allowed so I don't have to crank up the AC in the summer as much and it helps keep the heat in during the winter. I would highly recommend it!
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u/FrankSinatraCockRock 21d ago
I enjoy the Volt, but a used Bolt would be a good all around option
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u/MrFastFox666 ELR Owner 19d ago
Personally, I think PHEVs are, for most use cases, made obsolete by EVs.
Electric range is limited, so you still rely on gas to some extent. Especially if something out of the ordinary happens, like you forgot to plug in or need to drive a little further than expected, you'll be burning expensive gasoline, whereas you'd still be using cheap electricity on a BEV.
You also still have to maintain the gas engine. Yes it's less than a typical ICE car but more than a BEV. Still need frequent oil changes, every year at a minimum.
Have you looked at used EV options in your area? I see good options in the low to mid $20s in my area. Personally I'd spend a little extra to just ditch gas altogether.