IllustrationA SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE RANDOMLY APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD AND GOES AWAY AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE MESSAGE APPEARS AT RANDOM WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE.
2013 Chevrolet Volt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 169.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Volt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
380–25K
2925–50K
6050–75K
4775–100K
33100–150K
6150K+
213 reports with mileage · 95 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 161 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
161 reports"SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT AND CONSOLE MESSAGE APPEARS INTERMITTENTLY, MAINLY IN WARM WEATHER. DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST $1100 TO FIX DEFINITIVELY - FOR 3 YEARS. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE ONLY WAY GM WILL GUARANTEE THE AIRBAG WILL INFLATE. MANY OTHER VOLT OWNERS ON THE GM VOLT FORUM (HTTPS://GM-VOLT.COM/FORUM/) HAVE HAD THIS …
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"SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT AND CONSOLE MESSAGE APPEARS INTERMITTENTLY, MAINLY IN WARM WEATHER. DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST $1100 TO FIX DEFINITIVELY - FOR 3 YEARS. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE ONLY WAY GM WILL GUARANTEE THE AIRBAG WILL INFLATE. MANY OTHER VOLT OWNERS ON THE GM VOLT FORUM (HTTPS://GM-VOLT.COM/FORUM/) HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND AT LEAST ONE HAS FILED A COMPLAINT WITH YOU.
SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM MESSAGE COMES UP ON DASH BRIEFLY AND GOES AWAY AGAIN QUICKLY. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I'M FINDING THIS IS MOST LIKELY CAUSE BY THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR OR SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED IN OUR VOLT WHEN I HAD A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SO THIS MAKES COMPLETE SENSE. THIS IS A VERY CO…
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
THE CAR REGULARLY GETS AN AIRBAG LIGHT RELATING TO THE PASSENGER SEAT PRESENCE SENSOR. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY COME ON AND THEN TURN OFF AS I DRIVE.
NO UNUSUAL ACTIVITY. NO SPILLS OR OTHER OCCURRENCE THAT COULD CAUSE SENSOR TO FAIL. PASSENGER SEAT PRESENCE DETECTION SENSOR HAS FAILED. CAR NOW REPORTS A "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING AND HAS DISABLED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG BECAUSE OF IT. THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING ERROR CAUSED BY A SIMPLE SENSOR FAILURE THAT IS SHOWING A H…
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NO UNUSUAL ACTIVITY. NO SPILLS OR OTHER OCCURRENCE THAT COULD CAUSE SENSOR TO FAIL. PASSENGER SEAT PRESENCE DETECTION SENSOR HAS FAILED. CAR NOW REPORTS A "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING AND HAS DISABLED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG BECAUSE OF IT. THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING ERROR CAUSED BY A SIMPLE SENSOR FAILURE THAT IS SHOWING A HIGH FAILURE RATE WITH COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT REPAIRING THIS SENSOR AS IT COST $1000 TO $2000 TO REPAIR THROUGH THE DEALERS THAT ARE NOT DISCOUNTING OR COVERING THE COST OF REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.
I AM GETTING AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAUSED BY A FAULTY PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE. IF I HAVE A PASSENGER RIDING WITH ME, THE WARNING LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF SOMETIMES CAUSED BY HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THOUGH, IT SAYS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF WHICH IS A VERY BIG SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER…
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I AM GETTING AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAUSED BY A FAULTY PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE. IF I HAVE A PASSENGER RIDING WITH ME, THE WARNING LIGHT WILL GO ON AND OFF SOMETIMES CAUSED BY HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THOUGH, IT SAYS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF WHICH IS A VERY BIG SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK OR HAD ANY LIQUID SPILLED ON THE SEAT.
THE AIRBAG SENSOR STOPPED WORKING CAUSING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO BE TURNED OFF.
CONTINUOUSLY RECEIVE A "SERVICE AIRBAG SYSTEM" WARNING. BEGAN HAPPENING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WARNING STAYS ON ALL THE TIME (AS SOON AS VEHICLE IS STARTED). DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATED AND DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAG MUST BE REPLACED, AT A HIGH COST (~$800). WITHOUT THIS REPAIR, IT IS POSSIBLE THA…
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CONTINUOUSLY RECEIVE A "SERVICE AIRBAG SYSTEM" WARNING. BEGAN HAPPENING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WARNING STAYS ON ALL THE TIME (AS SOON AS VEHICLE IS STARTED). DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATED AND DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAG MUST BE REPLACED, AT A HIGH COST (~$800). WITHOUT THIS REPAIR, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT (SENSOR DOES NOT INDICATE THAT SOMEONE IS SEATED ON PASSENGER SIDE, SO ONLY DRIVER'S SIDE MAY DEPLOY).
(CHEVY VOLT 2013) A WARNING MESSAGE "SERVICE AIRBAGS" INTERMITTENTLY SHOWS. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS. IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUES AMONG CHEVY VOLT OWNERS (INCLUDING 2 PEOPLE IN MY FAMILY WHO OWN THE SAME CAR MODEL) THE WARNING SHOWS WHILE DRIVING AND DISAPPEARS AFTER A FEW SECONDS.
PASSENGER SEAT UNOCCUPIED WILL ALERT AIRBAG SENSOR WARNING DISPLAY
Official recalls
323V516000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jul 27, 2023
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 & remedy
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.
18V397000 · Hybrid Propulsion System
Jun 14, 2018
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 & remedy
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.
15V145000 · Electrical System:ignition; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
Mar 13, 2015
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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
PE19013 · Passenger Sensing System
Opened Sep 17, 2019 · Closed Jul 2, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
In September 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-013 to assess the potential safety related effects of a malfunction of the Passenger Sensing System (PSS) in 2012-2013 Model Year (MY) Chevrolet Volt vehicles. Consumers reported that due to a malfunction of the PSS, the air bag system malfunction indicator light (MIL) was activated. Many of the complaints noted the malfunction occurred after the warranty period expired and mentioned high repair costs as a major deterrent to the repair of the vehicle.The PSS sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the frontal passenger air bag. The PSS may develop a malfunction due to bunching of the sensor mat in the seat trench. The bunching of the sensor mat could cause the mat to repeatedly fold in the same location. Over time, the repeated folding can cause an increased resistance in the sensor mat. An increased resistance in the PSS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the air bag system diagnostic. If this fault is detected, a diagnostic trouble code will be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag MIL will illuminate.Further, if the fault is detected, the passenger frontal and knee air bags will be suppressed in a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment regardless of the nature of size of the occupant of the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the PSS sensor mat. Reports alleging only that the air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where a different cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than a PSS malfunction.The subject vehicles have been in service for approximately ten (10) years. An analysis of General Motors (GM) warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar occupant detection system failure investigations, indicates the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.GM has instituted a cost reduction program for the repair/replacement of the PSS in the subject vehicles. Based on this cost reduction program as well as:1) a comparatively low warranty rate; 2) no reported injuries, deaths or asymmetric deployments; and 3) the age of the vehicles; ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.