u/funpiper

I am planning to sell my 2017 Volt Premier tomorrow, and I'm looking for a reason not to. I love the car, but I've hit a wall with a scary brake issue and I refuse to keep throwing much more money at it. I'd put $500 more towards it if it were a permanent fix.

Here is the breakdown of what's happening:

• Problem and sunk costs: Shortly after purchasing the vehicle from a Kia dealership in late January 2026, the Stabilitrak and CEL lights came on and the brakes started feeling very squishy and unresponsive. I had the car inspected by a mechanic shop which told me the cylinder needed replacing due to not pulling enough power. But a day later, the codes and squishiness went away. That lasted 5 weeks. Then it came back and caused a $2400 wreck in body repair costs. After which I decided to get the cylinder replaced, which cost $1500. So now the issue has cost me $3900. I got the car for $10,400 so I figured I could justify these expenses to get the car in perfect working order.
• After the master cylinder replacement, the Stabilitrak and CEL lights came back on and the brakes started feeling somewhat squishy again, though not as bad as before the cylinder replacement. I can clear the codes with an OBD II scanner but I don't feel safe in the car. The cylinder-replacing mechanic tells me this issue is probably related to the electrical system/ABS, and doesn't have to do with the physical braking system with which they found no problems.
• Code: The car is currently throwing code P25A2 (Brake System Control Module Requested MIL Illumination). But the BECM recall was fixed before purchase, according to Chevrolet. I can clear this code but it comes back within a day or two and the brakes are squishy again. The braking also never feels totally normal, even with codes off.
• Notably:
  • All factory recalls were completed before I purchased the car.
  • The EGR valve and wheel speed sensors have been checked and are fine.

Am I doing the right thing by letting this go tomorrow? I'd prefer to keep it but am about fed up and thinking I got a lemon.