Chevrolet Volt problems and recalls by year
1,869 owner complaints since 2005, most for the 2017 (701); 8 recalls, 4 investigations.
By model year
Years with 100+ complaints
2018 Volt: 225 complaints
4 crashes, 1 injury · 18V673000, 18V576000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 85 | 33,300 |
| Power train | 78 | 24,000 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 73 | 30,432 |
| Engine | 50 | 51,000 |
| Unknown or other | 41 | 26,000 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 4,100 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 15 |
| Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift | 7 | — |
2017 Volt: 701 complaints
8 crashes, 9 fires, 11 injuries
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 300 | 36,850 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 236 | 32,800 |
| Power train | 215 | 34,197 |
| Engine | 183 | 26,000 |
| Unknown or other | 114 | 34,000 |
| Vehicle speed control | 32 | 15,000 |
| Service brakes | 27 | 15,000 |
| Steering | 15 | 25,000 |
2016 Volt: 170 complaints
2 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury · 17V621000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 73 | 40,000 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 64 | 55,000 |
| Power train | 50 | 40,000 |
| Engine | 48 | 40,000 |
| Unknown or other | 20 | 42,090 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 40,000 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 89,800 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | 36,080 |
2013 Volt: 308 complaints
8 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries · 23V516000, 18V397000, 15V145000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 160 | 77,000 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 53 | 60,000 |
| Electrical system | 52 | 52,000 |
| Engine | 37 | 52,000 |
| Seats | 31 | 68,514 |
| Power train | 24 | 50,000 |
| Service brakes | 19 | 23,000 |
| Unknown or other | 15 | 73,000 |
2012 Volt: 245 complaints
6 crashes, 2 fires, 11 injuries · 15V145000, 13V271000
| Component | Complaints | Median miles |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 84 | 98,000 |
| Electrical system | 78 | 74,000 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 37 | 78,000 |
| Engine | 26 | 57,000 |
| Service brakes | 23 | 62,000 |
| Power train | 22 | 60,000 |
| Unknown or other | 17 | 50,000 |
| Seats | 14 | 93,000 |
8 recall campaigns since 2005
July 27, 2023 · 23V516000 · 2013 · Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge.
September 26, 2018 · 18V673000 · 2018–2019 · Seat belts › Rear/other
Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge.
June 14, 2018 · 18V397000 · 2013 · Hybrid propulsion system
An update to the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2 (HPCM2) may have disabled the cell balancing function causing a low-voltage condition.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the HPCM2, free of charge.
March 13, 2015 · 15V145000 · 2011–2013 · Electrical system › Ignition; Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
If the driver exits the vehicle without turning off the electrical system, the battery may drain low enough that the gasoline engine will automatically start itself to recharge the electric battery.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine management software to limit the time that the stationary vehicle can be left in the ON position, free of charge.
June 27, 2013 · 13V271000 · 2012 · Electronic stability control (esc); Service brakes
Due to a brake pressure modulator valve problem, the vehicles do not relieve brake pressure from the front brakes during an anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), or traction control event.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will install a new brake pressure modulator valve free of charge.
Shared, in full on the sibling's page:
Defect investigations
0 of 4 open.
| Investigation | Years | Opened | Subject | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE23022 | 2016–2019 | November 29, 2023 | Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module | Closed |
| DP22005 | 2011–2019 | January 27, 2023 | Pedestrian alert sounds | Closed |
| PE19013 | 2012–2013 | September 17, 2019 | Passenger Sensing System | Closed |
| PE11037 | 2011–2012 | November 25, 2011 | Post-Crash EV Fire Hazard | Closed |
Complaints are unverified owner reports, and a recall names a model year, not a car: for one car, decode its VIN here or look it up at NHTSA. Chevrolet models.
Data: NHTSA, October 17, 2026.