IllustrationSERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE IS ON. COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. THE PREVIOUS OWNER REPLACED AN AIRBAG SENSOR, AND THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED.
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
What owners actually said
308 reportsAIR BAG PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILURE. WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LITE COMES ON. WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE SEAT THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON UNLESS THE PERSON MOVES AROUND, THEN IT COMES ON AND THEN RESETS ITSELF.
THE CAR REDUCES SPEED WITHOUT ADVANCE WARNING ON HWY AND DECREASES TO 30-40 MPH IN A 65-70 MPH ZONE. THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING, SOME SAFETY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS MALFUNCTION MID DRIVE AND RESUME WORKING
PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND TURNS ON AND OFF RANDOMLY WHETHER OR NOT PASSENGER IS OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER SEAT. UNSAFE IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AS AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY.
I'VE BROUGHT MY 2013 CHEVY VOLT TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES BECAUSE IT DIES SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER MULTIPLE TIMES. ONE OF THE "FIXES" WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT ENDED UP AS A RECALL BECAUSE IT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO DIE SUDDENLY (IT'S RECALL #N172130460, WHICH CAME OUT TWO DAYS BEFORE MY LATEST INCIDE…
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I'VE BROUGHT MY 2013 CHEVY VOLT TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES BECAUSE IT DIES SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS PUT MY FAMILY IN DANGER MULTIPLE TIMES. ONE OF THE "FIXES" WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT ENDED UP AS A RECALL BECAUSE IT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO DIE SUDDENLY (IT'S RECALL #N172130460, WHICH CAME OUT TWO DAYS BEFORE MY LATEST INCIDENT, BUT I DIDN'T RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL UNTIL 7/28/18...6 WEEKS AFTER MY LAST INCIDENT). THE MOST RECENT TIME THE CAR DIED (6/16/18), I WAS ON A MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOT GET HIT AS I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE. THERE WAS NO SIGNAGE THERE EXCEPT FOR THE "CAUTION BEAR XING" SIGN. AFTER TOWING MY CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP (IN CARSON CITY, NV, AN 8 HOUR ORDEAL), I HAD EXPENSES FOR LODGING AND TRANSPORTATION (INCLUDING LYFT TO SOUTH LAKE TAHOE TO RENT A CAR BECAUSE NO RENTAL CAR OFFICES OPEN ON SUNDAY IN CARSON CITY, THEN FLYING TO RENO AND TAKING A LYFT TO CARSON CITY TO PICK UP THE CAR BECAUSE CHEVY REFUSED TO SHIP THE CAR TO ME EVEN THOUGH I SAID THAT I WAS AFRAID AND DIDN'T TRUST THE CAR IN THE MOUNTAINS). CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CONCIERGE SERVICES REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE I HAD THE CAR TOWED MYSELF INSTEAD OF CALLING THEIR "CONCIERGE SERVICE" TO TOW IT BECAUSE THAT'S "POLICY." HOW ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS SO THAT THEY MAY LIVE TO DRIVE ANOTHER DAY? I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN THE EXPENSES INCURRED FROM THE LAST ADVENTURE: $1040.72, WHICH I CAN ITEMIZE. OTHER TIMES THAT MY CAR HAS DIED INCLUDE: WHILE MAKING A U-TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION (IN 2016), IT DIED AND STARTED BACK UP AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED 20 MINUTES LATER AND A SEPARATE TIME WAS WHEN THE CAR WOULDN'T START AT ALL BUT THEN STARTED UP AGAIN TWO HOURS LATER AS IF THERE WAS NEVER AN ISSUE.EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENED, I HAD A "POWER PROPULSION REDUCED" WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD. I SEE ONLINE THAT MANY HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE.
MY 2013 CHEV VOLT SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME OVER $800 TO FIX IT. I HAVE READ ONLINE OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I WANT MY CAR TO BE SAFE. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL.
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAIN REGARDING A "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT PRESENT IN MY CAR. THE LIGHT TURNS ON SUDDENLY REGARDLESS A PASSENGER IS PRESENT OR NOT. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR PARKED. I TOOK THE CAR TO BE INSPECTED AND THE CODES GIVEN WERE: B0081 AND B0074 (PASSENGER PRESENCE MALFUNCTION) THE TECHNICIAN EXPL…
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I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAIN REGARDING A "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT PRESENT IN MY CAR. THE LIGHT TURNS ON SUDDENLY REGARDLESS A PASSENGER IS PRESENT OR NOT. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR PARKED. I TOOK THE CAR TO BE INSPECTED AND THE CODES GIVEN WERE: B0081 AND B0074 (PASSENGER PRESENCE MALFUNCTION) THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IF THE PART WAS NOT CHANGED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT; IT HAS NOT BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY LIQUIDS THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE. THE ESTIMATE PROVIDED AND REPAIRS WERE $980 (PART ONLY: $500) PLUS TAX. SO FAR, I WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS CAR BUT IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT SOMETHING THAT IS NOT NEGLIGENCE OF THE DRIVER IS NOT COVERED IN THE MANUFACTURING WARRANTY. UPON STUMBLING WITH THIS ISSUE I REALIZED THAT IT IS A COMMON MALFUNCTION OF THIS CAR FROM OTHER OWNERS AS WELL. I WOULD KINDLY ASK YOU TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THIS ISSUE AND INVESTIGATE IT SO THAT THE COMPANY CAN ISSUE A RECALL AND CUSTOMERS NO LONGER HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A VOLUNTARY REPAIR OR NOT HAVING A PASSENGER AIRBAG IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT IN SUCH MODERN CAR.
MY SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT IS FAULTY MY AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT KEEPS ON TURNING ON AND OFF CONSISTENTLY. NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT OR SPILLS ON THE SEAT.
THERE IS A CAPACITIVE FIELD DETECTOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ALSO CALLED A PASSENGER POSITION SENSOR. INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE BUCKLE DETECTOR THIS PART HAS FAILED IN MY CAR AT 76,000 MILES AND THE AFFECT IS THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED. THE PART IS APPARENTLY AROUND 800$ AS THE ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED. THE INDIC…
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THERE IS A CAPACITIVE FIELD DETECTOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ALSO CALLED A PASSENGER POSITION SENSOR. INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE BUCKLE DETECTOR THIS PART HAS FAILED IN MY CAR AT 76,000 MILES AND THE AFFECT IS THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED. THE PART IS APPARENTLY AROUND 800$ AS THE ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED. THE INDICATOR ON THE DASH SIMPLY SAYS TO SERVICE THE AIRBAGS. IT MAY BE ANECDOTAL DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT NATURE OF THE FAILURE BUT IT SEEMED TO CLEAR WHEN I ACCELERATED AND FAIL UPON BREAKING, SLOWING DOWN OR GOING DOWN HILL. THIS SEEMS LIKE THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHEN YOU'D WANT YOUR AIRBAGS TO BECOME DISABLED.
GAS GENERATOR FAILED TO START WHEN BATTERY WAS DEPLETED WHILE ON CITY STREET SLOWING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. WARNING MESSAGE ABOUT REDUCED PROPULSION AND YELLOW ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. TRIED TURNING BACK ON, RECEIVED WAITING TO INITIALIZE MESSAGE, BUT POWER TO ENGINE WA…
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GAS GENERATOR FAILED TO START WHEN BATTERY WAS DEPLETED WHILE ON CITY STREET SLOWING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. WARNING MESSAGE ABOUT REDUCED PROPULSION AND YELLOW ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF. TRIED TURNING BACK ON, RECEIVED WAITING TO INITIALIZE MESSAGE, BUT POWER TO ENGINE WAS NEVER RESTORED. TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP.
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.