2015 Chevrolet Volt Brakes Problems

Your car's brake system warning light came on while parked, and your brakes failed when you tried to reverse shortly after—you nearly hit another vehicle. The dealer diagnosed a faulty brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) that needs replacement. This same component has been recalled on earlier Volt models for the same failure.

Your brake pedal went all the way to the floor and is now very hard to press. This suggests a loss of brake fluid pressure or a problem with the brake system that needs immediate attention. You should have a mechanic inspect your brake lines, master cylinder, and brake fluid level before driving the vehicle.

Your rear brake pads separated into two pieces during a safety inspection at 84,500 miles. The friction material peeled away from the metal backing plate, likely due to adhesive failure. Because your Volt relies heavily on regenerative electric braking, the hydraulic brake pads see minimal use and may be more susceptible to this adhesive breakdown. The fix will involve replacing both rear brake pads with new OEM or aftermarket pads.

WE BOUGHT A USED CERTIFIED CALIFORNIA LEMON FROM A CHEVY DEALER IN WISCONSIN 2 YEARS AGO. THEY CLAIMED THE CAR CAME FROM CALIFORNIA AND RESULT OF ITS 3 STRIKE LEMON LAW. THEY CLAIMED THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD BEEN TOTALLY REPLACED. AS OF TODAY WE HAVE HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE TWICE, FIRST TIME THEY AGAIN REPLACED THE COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM. RIGHT NOT THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER, WAITING TO HERE BACK. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS THE SECOND VOLT THIS WEEK WITH THE SAME ISSUE. TO OUR KNOWLEDGE THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 5 TIMES WITH OUR CAR, TWICE WITH US AND THREE TIMES PRIOR IN CALIFORNIA.

ON MAY 13TH, APPROX. 11:10AM, CLEAR AND SUNNY 75F REDONDO BEACH, CA. I ENTERED THE VOLT TO BACK OUT DOWN A DOWNWARD SLOPING DRIVEWAY. I POWERED MY VOLT UP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PROCEEDED TO SHIFT THE VOLT IN 'R'. AS SOON AS I RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL I STARTED TO MOVE DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND PICKING UP SPEED. I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL,WHICH FELT MUSHY. AND MY VOLT CONTINUED PICKING UP SPEED AND WOULD NOT STOP. I CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, WHICH FELT VERY MUSHY, AND THE VOLT CONTINUED AND CROSSED THE STREET AND IMPACTED THE RESIDENCE DIRECTLY ACROSS TO FINALLY STOP MY VOLT. THE BRAKES FELT EXTREMELY MUSHY EXTENDING ABOUT TO THE FLOOR BUT NOT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, I WAS IN BATTERY MODE BUT THE ENGINE WAS ENGAGED AND RUNNING AT HIGH RPM AND HEARD BY ME AND A PASSERBY WHILE THE VOLT WAS MOVING. I CALLED AAA TO PULL ME OUT. I WAS STUCK ON THE TREE AND FRONT STEPS. I CALLED IN THE INCIDENT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY SO I COULD START THE CLAIM AND HAVE A CLAIM #. POLICE ARRIVED 40 MINUTES LATER TO TAKE A REPORT AND GIVE ME A FIELD SOBRIETY TEST. THAT WAS A LITTLE EMBARRASSING BUT GLAD IT WAS DONE. NOW IT'S DOCUMENTED THAT I WAS TOTALLY SOBER. I'VE READ 1-OR 2 THREADS REGARDING NON-OPERATING MUSHY BRAKES BUT NOTHING ABOUT A VOLT IN R COMING DOWN A SLOPE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. I CALLED ON-STAR TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A LOG OF CODES GENERATED FROM MY VOLT WITHIN THE LAST 24 HRS AND WAS TOLD NO. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I DID NOT HIT ANOTHER PERSON, ANIMAL OR VEHICLE WHILE NOT BEING IN CONTROL OF A FAST MOVING VOLT CROSSING SIDEWALKS AND A RESIDENTIAL STREET. I HAVE CONTACTED GM ALLEGATIONS AND HAVE A CLAIM #. I AM SUPPOSEDLY TO RECEIVE A CALL BY MONDAY THE 19 TO DISCUSS NEXT STEPS. ANOTHER THING THE 2015 DOES NOT HAVE A EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT A PARKING BRAKE WHICH WILL NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.