NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
308 reports53,000 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITH THE HAZZARD LIGHTS FLASHING TO HER RESIDENCE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ELCO CHEVR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITH THE HAZZARD LIGHTS FLASHING TO HER RESIDENCE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ELCO CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 15110 MANCHESTER RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011 (636) 232-0007 WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000.
NHTSA ODI #11308565
36,000 miles · Feb 5, 2020
Air Bags
PASSENGER SEAT PRESENCE SENSOR IS FAULTY, CAUSING "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNINGS AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT ONCE SENSOR IS TRIPPED, ERRORS AND WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR UNTIL VEHICLE IS POWERED OFF. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY - MANY TIMES PER DAY. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS ISSUE IS ACTUALLY AFFECTING THE AI…
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PASSENGER SEAT PRESENCE SENSOR IS FAULTY, CAUSING "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNINGS AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, BUT ONCE SENSOR IS TRIPPED, ERRORS AND WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR UNTIL VEHICLE IS POWERED OFF. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY - MANY TIMES PER DAY. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS ISSUE IS ACTUALLY AFFECTING THE AIRBAG'S FUNCTIONALITY. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR - ABOUT $500 FOR THE SENSOR, AND $500 FOR LABOR. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH 2013 VOLTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM THIS SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON MY CAR FOR YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11307174
87,000 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Air Bags
"SERVICE AIRBAG" INDICATOR APPEARED AFTER CAR WAS STARTED. INDICATOR PERSISTS
NHTSA ODI #11302722
95,000 miles · Jan 7, 2020
Air Bags
STARTING IN AUGUST OF 2019, OUR 2013 CHEVY VOLT AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING. THIS USUALLY HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN IT WAS IN PARK. IT ALSO HAPPENED WHENEVER CHANGING THE SPEED USING CRUISE CONTROL. WE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED IT WAS …
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STARTING IN AUGUST OF 2019, OUR 2013 CHEVY VOLT AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING. THIS USUALLY HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN IT WAS IN PARK. IT ALSO HAPPENED WHENEVER CHANGING THE SPEED USING CRUISE CONTROL. WE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED IT WAS RELATED TO THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN WE DID, WE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER MENTIONS OF THIS PROBLEM ONLINE (ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THERE AREN'T MANY MODELS OF THIS CAR ON THE ROAD), AND THAT THE SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM, AND WERE TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT WHEN THE SENSOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, THAT THE AIRBAGS LIKELY WON'T INFLATE IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THEREFORE, WE ASKED TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR, BUT WERE TOLD THE PART COULD NOT BE ORDERED DUE TO THE GM STRIKE. IN LATE DECEMBER, WE HEARD FROM THE DEALER THAT THE PART WAS IN SO WE HAD IT FIXED TODAY AT THE COST OF $755.05 WE ARE VERY UPSET ABOUT THE HIGH COST FOR THE REPAIR SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR SENSOR, AND A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI #11297781
80,000 miles · Jan 7, 2020
Air Bags
SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR, AND WOULD COST $800 TO FIX. THE WARNING LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW IT IS ON ALL THE TIME. AND THE WARNING BEEPING SOUND CONTINUES ALMOST CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. VERY ANNOYING. THE AIR BAG IS NOT ON EVEN WHEN A…
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SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR, AND WOULD COST $800 TO FIX. THE WARNING LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW IT IS ON ALL THE TIME. AND THE WARNING BEEPING SOUND CONTINUES ALMOST CONSTANTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. VERY ANNOYING. THE AIR BAG IS NOT ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY GM. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR BECAUSE I FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY. THE CAR HAS 120K MILES ON IT. THE ISSUE IS PRESENT IN ALL DRIVING AND PARKED SITUATIONS. I HAVE READ ON MANY FORMS ONLINE, THAT THIS IS A PRETTY PREVALENT ISSUE WITH MANY VOLT OWNERS AND IS IN DEFINITELY NEED OF SOME ATTENTION. THE ISSUE STARTED BACK IN THE BEGINNING OF 2018 AND IS STILL A PROBLEM AS OF JAN 2020. THE COST TO FIX THE ISSUE IS TOO PROHIBITIVE FOR ME.
NHTSA ODI #11297558
100,000 miles · Jan 2, 2020
Air Bags
SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT IN TO DEALER WHO REPORTED THE AIR BAG SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT IS NO LONGER WORKING. REPLACEMENT PLUS LABOR QUOTED AT $1000. THIS CAR IS A 2013, THE AIR BAG SENSOR SHOULD NOT BREAK SO QUICKLY.
NHTSA ODI #11296647
75,000 miles · Dec 31, 2019
Air Bags
PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR WENT BAG RESULTING IN THE CAR THROWING A "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT. COST OVER 800 DOLLARS TO FIX, HAVE HEARD FROM THE DEALER AND ON VOLT FORUMS ONLINE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL
NHTSA ODI #11292230
60,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
Air Bags
SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY UPON FRONT PASSENGER ENTERING OR LEAVING VEHICLE. SERVICE LIGHT CLEARS AND REAPPEARS AT RANDOM FOR SEVERAL TRIPS AFTER THIS OCCURS.
NHTSA ODI #11292103
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2019
Air Bags
AT 40,000 MILES APPROXIMATELY, THE CHECK AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME UP. THE DEALER SAID THAT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, IT WAS NOT COVERED AND IT WOULD BE ABOUT $850 AND THERE WOULD BE NO GUARANTEE THAT THE SENSOR CHANGE WOULD FIX IT. I REFUSED THE WORK FOR THAT PRICE. I HAVE DRIVEN ANOTHER 135,000 MILES AND I…
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AT 40,000 MILES APPROXIMATELY, THE CHECK AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME UP. THE DEALER SAID THAT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, IT WAS NOT COVERED AND IT WOULD BE ABOUT $850 AND THERE WOULD BE NO GUARANTEE THAT THE SENSOR CHANGE WOULD FIX IT. I REFUSED THE WORK FOR THAT PRICE. I HAVE DRIVEN ANOTHER 135,000 MILES AND IT IS STILL ON. SAFETY HAS BEEN REDUCED DUE TO THE HIGH CHARGE FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11291925
67,000 miles · Dec 23, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
MY CAR HAD THE EXACT ISSUES THAT ARE DOCUMENTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V397000 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I GOT A LOW PROPULSION WARNING WHEN THE LITHIUM BATTERY WAS DEPLETED AND SWITCHED TO ENGINE. ENGINE WAS REVVING VERY HIGH AND ALMOST NO ACCELERATION WAS AVAILABLE. I MADE IT HOME AND CAR WOULDN'T RESTART. 12V BATTE…
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MY CAR HAD THE EXACT ISSUES THAT ARE DOCUMENTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 18V397000 WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I GOT A LOW PROPULSION WARNING WHEN THE LITHIUM BATTERY WAS DEPLETED AND SWITCHED TO ENGINE. ENGINE WAS REVVING VERY HIGH AND ALMOST NO ACCELERATION WAS AVAILABLE. I MADE IT HOME AND CAR WOULDN'T RESTART. 12V BATTERY WAS DEAD SO I REPLACED IT BUT STILL COULD NOT START THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11290848
Official recalls
3Jul 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.
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.
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.
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