Skip to content
VINDecoder360
Menu

NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2011–2019

Chevrolet Volt recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 1,862 owner complaints for the Chevrolet Volt, covering model years 2011 to 2019. The 2017 model year drew the most complaints (698), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Chevrolet Volt VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 8 recall campaigns on file
  • 1,862 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 9 model years with data (2011–2019)
  • most complaints: 2017 (698 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (701 complaints)
  • latest recall 23V516000 (reported Jul 27, 2023)
  • 39 complaints reporting a crash (2.1%)
  • 16 complaints reporting a fire (0.9%)
  • 32 complaints reporting an injury (1.7%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Chevrolet Volt complaints by model year

9 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2017 model year has the most complaints: 698 of 1,862, or 37.5%. Next come 2013 (308) and 2012 (245). The fewest are for 2019, with 34 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Chevrolet Volt owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2011–2019Column chart of 1,862 complaints across 9 model years. The highest is 2017 with 698. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2011: 49 complaints4920112012: 245 complaints24520122013: 308 complaints30820132014: 93 complaints9320142015: 44 complaints4420152016: 169 complaints16920162017: 698 complaints69820172018: 222 complaints22220182019: 34 complaints342019
Chevrolet Volt complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Chevrolet Volt complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2011492010
20122456280
20133088270
2014935120
2015441110
20161692110
201769889100
20182224010
2019343010
All model years1,8623916320

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Chevrolet Volt components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 701 complaints (37.6% of all 1,862), followed by Fuel/Propulsion System (495) and Power Train (429).

Components named most often in Chevrolet Volt complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Chevrolet Volt complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System70137.6%
Fuel/Propulsion System49526.6%
Power Train42923.0%
Engine36719.7%
Air Bags31016.6%
Unknown or Other22612.1%
Service Brakes1005.4%
Vehicle Speed Control673.6%
Seats553.0%
Steering442.4%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)221.2%
Structure221.2%
Visibility/Wiper170.9%
Forward Collision Avoidance140.8%
Tires140.8%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Chevrolet Volt recalls

8 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Volt, newest first. The 8 campaigns cover model years 2011 to 2019. The 2013 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

  • 8 recall campaigns
Chevrolet Volt recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2011: 1 campaign2012: 2 campaigns2013: 3 campaigns2014: no campaigns2015: 1 campaign2016: 1 campaign2017: no campaigns2018: 2 campaigns2019: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 23V516000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model year 2013

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.

    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 18V673000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Rear/Other

    Model years 2018–2019

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Consequence:
    If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 18V576000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper

    Model years 2018–2019

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

    Consequence:
    A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 18V397000

    Reported

    Hybrid Propulsion System

    Model year 2013

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. An update to the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2 (HPCM2) may have disabled the cell balancing function causing a low-voltage condition.

    Consequence:
    If the voltage drops, the vehicle may lose propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the HPCM2, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18215.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 17V621000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 2016

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

    Consequence:
    An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 15V442000

    Reported

    Steering

    Model year 2015

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.

    Consequence:
    Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15386.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 15V145000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition; Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline

    Model years 2011–2013

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Volt vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, to June 26, 2013. 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.

    Consequence:
    If the engine runs for an extended period of time in an enclosed space, there may be a build up of carbon monoxide, increasing the risk of personal injury.
    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. The recall began April 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14617.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  8. NHTSA campaign 13V271000

    Reported

    Service Brakes; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

    Model year 2012

    General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through April 17, 2012. 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. One or both front brakes may lock up and not release. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems"' and No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

    Consequence:
    If the brakes lock up it could cause a loss of steering control and/or a lengthened distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will install a new brake pressure modulator valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 12, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's recall number is 13184.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Chevrolet Volt questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Volt have?

NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Volt, covering model years 2011 to 2019. The most recent, 23V516000, was reported on July 27, 2023 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2013 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which Chevrolet Volt model year has the most complaints?

The 2017 model year, with 698 of the 1,862 complaints in NHTSA’s file (37.5%). The next are 2013 (308) and 2012 (245). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Chevrolet Volt complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 701 complaints, or 37.6% of all 1,862. Fuel/Propulsion System (495) and Power Train (429) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Chevrolet Volt?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Chevrolet dealer.

How many Chevrolet Volt complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 1,862 complaints, 39 report a crash, 16 a fire, 32 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Chevrolet models

8 models · most complaints first

The Chevrolet models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Chevrolet VIN decoder with every Chevrolet model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Chevrolet models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.