NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
308 reports46,000 miles · Nov 19, 2018
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALLEN GWYNN CHEVROLET (1400 S BRAND BLVD, …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALLEN GWYNN CHEVROLET (1400 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204, (844) 633-8153) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. *DT *JB
NHTSA ODI #11152447
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2018
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WONT WORK BECAUSE THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT IS BROKEN. CHEVY IS CHARGING OVER $1,000 TO REPAIR. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENED OUT OF NOWHERE. WHEN READING ONLINE THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND THE REPAIR COST IS EXTREMELY HIGH FOR SOMETHING THAT IS COMPLETELY CHEVY'S FAULT.
NHTSA ODI #11150221
28,000 miles · Nov 1, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROST SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FELDMAN CHEVROLET OF NOVI (42355 GRAND RIVER, NOVI, MI 48375 (248) 289-3789) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLING PUMP WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROST SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FELDMAN CHEVROLET OF NOVI (42355 GRAND RIVER, NOVI, MI 48375 (248) 289-3789) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COOLING PUMP WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
NHTSA ODI #11144712
118,000 miles · Oct 26, 2018
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SULLIVAN-PARKHILL AUTOMOTIVE (217-903-2817, LOCATED AT 440 W ANTHONY DR, CHAMPAIGN, IL 61822) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE T6 POWER MO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SULLIVAN-PARKHILL AUTOMOTIVE (217-903-2817, LOCATED AT 440 W ANTHONY DR, CHAMPAIGN, IL 61822) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE T6 POWER MODULE WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS EXPECTING A CALL BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.
NHTSA ODI #11142939
22,700 miles · Oct 24, 2018
Service BrakesCrash
IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION ON A CITY STREET TO AVOID A CAR I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO PULSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM. HIT CURB AND BUMPER HIT FENCE. TOOK CAR TO SERVICE TO LEARN ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHT ON DASH OF ANY KIND. HAVE LEARNED GM HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN BUT NO RECAL…
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IN AN EMERGENCY BRAKING SITUATION ON A CITY STREET TO AVOID A CAR I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO PULSE FROM THE ABS SYSTEM. HIT CURB AND BUMPER HIT FENCE. TOOK CAR TO SERVICE TO LEARN ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHT ON DASH OF ANY KIND. HAVE LEARNED GM HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN BUT NO RECALL MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. COST TO REPAIR $2400.00. CAR IS IN PERFECT CONDITION, HAS BEEN TROUBLE FREE AND HAS ONLY 23,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11142498
100,000 miles · Oct 24, 2018
Engine
OUR 2013 CHEVY VOLT DIED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY-BATTERY WENT OUT AFTER A REQUIRED SERVICE UPDATE. WE HAD HAD IT IN SHOP FOR LOW PROPULSON WARNINGS TWO TIMES BEFORE THAT. CHEVY SENT A RECALL STATING SPECIFICALLY THAT THE SERVICE UPDATE WOULD CAUSE LOW PROPULSION AND ULTIMATELY THE CAR COULD DIE, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE CA…
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OUR 2013 CHEVY VOLT DIED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY-BATTERY WENT OUT AFTER A REQUIRED SERVICE UPDATE. WE HAD HAD IT IN SHOP FOR LOW PROPULSON WARNINGS TWO TIMES BEFORE THAT. CHEVY SENT A RECALL STATING SPECIFICALLY THAT THE SERVICE UPDATE WOULD CAUSE LOW PROPULSION AND ULTIMATELY THE CAR COULD DIE, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE THE CAR BATTERY DIED. DEALERSHIP & DIST MANAGER AGREED THAT WAS THE CAUSE AND SAID THEY WOULD REIMBURSE US $2788 FOR BATTERY. GM DENIED CLAIM AND REFUSES TO HONOR THE DAMAGE THEY CAUSED. THEY REALLY OWE THE WHOLE BALANCE OF $4,220.51.
NHTSA ODI #11142354
68,000 miles · Oct 20, 2018
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR IS FAILING. THE CAR IS NOT THAT OLD. WE HAVE HAD NO SPILLS IN THE CAR. BUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS COMING ON. WE PAID THE DEALER $180 TO LOOK AT IT, BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. NOW THE SENSOR LIGHT IS COMING ON EVERY TIME WE START THE CAR. IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND FIXING WILL COST UP TO $1500. …
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THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR IS FAILING. THE CAR IS NOT THAT OLD. WE HAVE HAD NO SPILLS IN THE CAR. BUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS COMING ON. WE PAID THE DEALER $180 TO LOOK AT IT, BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. NOW THE SENSOR LIGHT IS COMING ON EVERY TIME WE START THE CAR. IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND FIXING WILL COST UP TO $1500. THAT IS CRAZY. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR CHEVY VOLTS.
NHTSA ODI #11141531
37,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
VOLT HAS MINIMAL PROPULSION WHEN STOMPING ON THE ACCELERATOR IN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MODE. IT HAS LOST 60-70 PERCENT OF ITS POWER SINCE NEW. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN PULLING ONTO A HIGHWAY OR NEEDING TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. CHEVROLET SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE NOT WANTING TO HONOR ELEC…
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VOLT HAS MINIMAL PROPULSION WHEN STOMPING ON THE ACCELERATOR IN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MODE. IT HAS LOST 60-70 PERCENT OF ITS POWER SINCE NEW. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN PULLING ONTO A HIGHWAY OR NEEDING TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. CHEVROLET SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE NOT WANTING TO HONOR ELECTRIC WARRANTY.
NHTSA ODI #11132068
135,569 miles · Sep 26, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainSuspensionCrash
ON SEPT. 5TH 2018 I HIT THE CENTER ISLAND WHILE TURNING ON THE CITY STREET AT ABOUT 15MPH. THE IMPACT WAS SO SLIGHT THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERS ON IT'S OWN POWER. MY INSURANCE COMPANY SENT THEIR APPRAISER ,JEREMY , TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE. I HAD TO GET SOME ITEMS OUT OF MY CAR BEFORE…
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ON SEPT. 5TH 2018 I HIT THE CENTER ISLAND WHILE TURNING ON THE CITY STREET AT ABOUT 15MPH. THE IMPACT WAS SO SLIGHT THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERS ON IT'S OWN POWER. MY INSURANCE COMPANY SENT THEIR APPRAISER ,JEREMY , TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE. I HAD TO GET SOME ITEMS OUT OF MY CAR BEFORE THAT. THE MECHANIC HAD THE CAR ON THE RACK SO HE COULD SHOW ME. THE ONLY DAMAGE I READILY NOTICED WAS THE RADIATORS WERE CRUSHED, A 2 1/2" SQUARE FRAME CROSS MEMBER HAD A 1 1/2" DENT WHERE IT HAD IMPACTED THE ISLAND , AND SOME PANELS- NOTICEABLY THE FRONT UNDERSIDE AND DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WELL WERE DAMAGED. LATER JEREMY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.HE SAID THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS BENT OUT OF SHAPE. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. IN HIS REPORT HE ITEMIZED THE PARTS BUT ABOUT THE PROPULSION SYSTEM HE WROTE, CONDITIONS EXIST THAT THE ELECTRICAL MOTORS COULD START UP THE GAS ENGINE AND FLOOD THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH CO. WELL IF THAT'S THE CASE, WHY DON'T THEY SIMPLY REPLACE THE COMPONENTS THAT WOULD LEAD TO THAT CONDITION OR IF IT WAS INHERENT IN THE CAR, WHY DOESN'T THE DOT DECLARE THE CAR A ROAD HAZZARD AND RECALL ALL VEHICLES? LN CONSUMER REPORTS THEY DECLARED THE VOLT SCORED 5 OUT OF A POSSIBLE 5 RATING ON COLLISION SURVIVAL. WHAT? THE CAR RUNNING AT 15 MPH GETTING TOTALLED BY HITTING A BUMP IS A 5? I THINK MR. JEREMY IS PADDING ALL HIS ESTIMATES AND SHOULD HAVE AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISER REVIEW THE CAR. EITHER HE IS LYING OR THE CAR IS ACTUALLY A LEMON. I WOULD LIKE YOUR ADVICE ON WHAT LEGAL COURSE I SHOULD TAKE.
NHTSA ODI #11131749
77,000 miles · Sep 9, 2018
Air BagsSeats
WHILE IN MOTION MY CAR SPORADICALLY DISPLAYS "SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM." UPON DIAGNOSIS, DEALER STATED THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH 77,000 MILES. SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR THIS ITEM TO BE FAILING. RESEARCHING CHEVROLET VOLT OWNER FORUM YIELDS NUMEROUS CASES OF …
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WHILE IN MOTION MY CAR SPORADICALLY DISPLAYS "SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM." UPON DIAGNOSIS, DEALER STATED THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH 77,000 MILES. SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR THIS ITEM TO BE FAILING. RESEARCHING CHEVROLET VOLT OWNER FORUM YIELDS NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11128360
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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