Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)
10 NHTSA complaints about electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm) issues across 3 makes and 6 models.
The electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm) is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 10 filings from 3 manufacturers and 6 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET VOLT with 4 filings, followed by FORD FUSION ENERGI and KIA OPTIMA HYBRID. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHEVROLET VOLT | 4 |
| 2 | FORD FUSION ENERGI | 2 |
| 3 | KIA OPTIMA HYBRID | 1 |
| 4 | KIA OPTIMA | 1 |
| 5 | FORD MUSTANG MACH E | 1 |
| 6 | FORD EXPLORER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while operating vehicle the "Propulsion Errorâ was displayed, and the message "Shift to Park" was displayed while driving. Additionall
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled; the contact stated that the vehicle was jumpstarted and the vehicle to returned to normal
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the âPropulsion Power Reducedâ message in the driver information center was illuminated. The conta
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was parked at the residen
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, another unknown vehicle crashed into his vehicle which went airborne and over the median. There wer
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with a battery management system (BMS) message displayed. The contact desperately depr
At around 600 miles my vehicle displayed "high voltage battery warning" and "powertrain malfunction" dashboard warning lights. Each light had an associated description that indicated the vehicle's pow
I am associated with the City of Brookings, SD Police Dept. We have two 2020 Ford Hybrid SUV patrol vehicles. Both vehicles since we obtained them in October of 2020 have experienced loss of power. Bo
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm) issues? ▼
How dangerous are electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm) defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm) problems? ▼
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.