IllustrationSudden loss of power. Driving on freeway. Speed decreased by 25 mph. Just about avoided a rear end accident. Have seen that 2016 onwards Volts have experienced this malfunction. Request that it be noted that this is a 2013 model with less than 60,000 miles. Have already had the latest programming done by Chevy.
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
Power Train complaints
24 reportsWhen Im driving on the hi way, it sounds like it keeps accelerating, sounds like its going to explode. The pulsation warning comes on, then the pulsation warning will go away and the sound goes away.
There is a bearing that fails in the motor which is a safety issue and should be recalled. It causes the engine/transmission to lock up and become inoperable which can result in a crash. They even issued a bulletin regarding it (PIP5081), yet they have been refusing to cover it under warranty for me as well. This needs to be rec…
Read full complaint
There is a bearing that fails in the motor which is a safety issue and should be recalled. It causes the engine/transmission to lock up and become inoperable which can result in a crash. They even issued a bulletin regarding it (PIP5081), yet they have been refusing to cover it under warranty for me as well. This needs to be recalled and all affected owners should be reimbursed for any expenses they paid regarding this issue. General Motors must be held accountable for this safety issue. This has been confirmed by the dealer and all of these vehicles are experiencing the issue.
THE VOLT IS DISPLAYING MANUFACTURER CONTROL ERROR CODE P1 E00$07E8 AND IS NOT CHARGING. ON THE DASH, THE MESSAGE DISPLAYS AS "SERVICE HIGH VOLTAGE CHARGING SYSTEM". THIS IS A SOFTWARE ERROR THAT CHEVROLET NEEDS TO CORRECT ON THE 2013 CHEVROLET VOLTS AT NO COST TO OWNERS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROADWAY. PROPULSION POWER REDUCED WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER WAITING FOR TEN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED AND OPERATED …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROADWAY. PROPULSION POWER REDUCED WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER WAITING FOR TEN MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED HOWEVER, THE MESSAGE REMAINED DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARADISE CHEVROLET CADILLAC (27360 YNEZ RD, TEMECULA, CA 92591) HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000. *LN*JB*DT THE CONSUMER HAS STATED THAT THE ISSUE OCCURED ONCE MORE ON JULY 11 AND JULY 12 OF 2020. *AS
REDUCED PROPULSION WARNING. CAUSES CAR TO NOT GO OVER 40 MPH WHILE DRIVING. COVERED UNDER VOLTECH WARRANTY BUT DEALERS WANT TO CHARGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. UNFAIR, AS THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR A WARRANTY DIAGNOSIS.
CAR SLOWED DOWN AND THEN CAME TO A FULL STOP ON SIDE OF RESIDENTIAL STREET. TRIED TO TURN OFF AND RESTART ENGINE TO NO AVAIL. NO POWER COMING FROM MOTOR
I LIVE IN AND DRIVE MY CAR AROUND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. MY BATTERY COOLANT RADIATOR WAS HIT BY A SMALL ROCK AND LEAKED. THIS PREVENTED CHARGING, CAUSED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, AND COOLANT TO POOL UNDERNEATH MY CAR. I TOWED IT TO A NEARBY CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO GET THE RADIATOR REPLACED. RADIATOR DAMA…
Read full complaint
I LIVE IN AND DRIVE MY CAR AROUND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. MY BATTERY COOLANT RADIATOR WAS HIT BY A SMALL ROCK AND LEAKED. THIS PREVENTED CHARGING, CAUSED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, AND COOLANT TO POOL UNDERNEATH MY CAR. I TOWED IT TO A NEARBY CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO GET THE RADIATOR REPLACED. RADIATOR DAMAGE TO VOLTS IS NOT UNCOMMON. CHEVROLET KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE AND HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN COVERING SOME (BUT NOT ALL) VOLTS DUE TO THEIR LOW, VULNERABLE, AND RELATIVELY UNPROTECTED DESIGN OF THE RADIATOR. I BELIEVE CHEVROLET SHOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITH STRONGER RADIATOR SHIELDS AND PROTECTORS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEN GARFF CHEVROLET (801-692-6158, LOCATED AT 548 E 1000 S, AMERICAN FORK, UT 84003) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEN GARFF CHEVROLET (801-692-6158, LOCATED AT 548 E 1000 S, AMERICAN FORK, UT 84003) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
2013 CHEVY VOLT STOPPED ACCELERATING AND RECEIVED A LOW PROPULSION WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE ROUTE IN OHIO. OUR SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS WAS ON A HIGHWAY. THE VOLT WOULD NOT MOVE AND HE HAD TO TRY TO GLIDE OFF THE ROAD SINCE IT HAD NO POWER. HE PUSHED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD SO IT WOULD NOT B…
Read full complaint
2013 CHEVY VOLT STOPPED ACCELERATING AND RECEIVED A LOW PROPULSION WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE ROUTE IN OHIO. OUR SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS WAS ON A HIGHWAY. THE VOLT WOULD NOT MOVE AND HE HAD TO TRY TO GLIDE OFF THE ROAD SINCE IT HAD NO POWER. HE PUSHED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD SO IT WOULD NOT BE HIT. IF THIS SITUATION WOULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TO OTHER VOLT OWNERS IF YOU LOOK THIS ISSUE UP ON THE INTERNET. WHY HASN'T GM FIXED THIS ISSUE SO PEOPLE ARE SAFE WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE? WE BROUGHT OUR VOLT INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THIS CAR IS NOW GOING ON 3 WEEKS AND WE STILL DO NOT HAVE OUR CAR BACK. THEY FIRST SAID IT WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL MODULE, AND REPLACED PARTS. NOW THEY ARE STATING THAT IT DID NOT WORK AND IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. I AM NOT SURE THEY KNOW WHAT IS REALLY WRONG WITH THIS VOLT. THEY ARE NOW ASKING US TO PAY $3661 TO HAVE THIS TRANSMISSION REPLACE AND GM WILL PAY 2000 OR IT WOULD BE 5661. THIS CAR IS NOT EVEN WORTH THAT MUCH AT THIS POINT HAS 83000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE NEVER WENT OUT. GM TRIED TO SAY IT WAS THE SHORT, NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT WAS NOT A SHORT. I DO NOT CARE WHAT IT IS I JUST WANT A SAFE CAR FOR MY SON TO DRIVE. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE BACK PEDALING TO TRY TO NOT PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY (GM) SHOULD PAY FOR. ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS ISSUE IS NOT A NEW ISSUE FOR THE CHEVY VOLT. GM NEEDS TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS AND FIX THIS VEHICLE.
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.