2012 Chevrolet Volt

245 complaints on file, page 1 of 13.

1. Filed Jun 25, 2026Failure May 25, 2026132,000 milesLynchburg, VAInstrument cluster/panel

   The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the contact attempted to start the vehicle; however, the instrument panel displayed a blank screen. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11746435
2. Filed Jun 4, 2026Failure May 26, 2026Canandaigua, NYFuel/propulsion system, Power train

   Message on dash "Service High Voltage charging system" . Code cleared by inexperienced mechanic. Stalled on the side of the road with "Engine not available" , "Low propulsion" . My local Chevy dealership confirmed a high volt battery leak its now at risk for catching on fire

   NHTSA complaint 11742075
3. Filed Mar 13, 2026Failure Mar 9, 2026Glastonbury, CTService brakes, Vehicle speed control

   Car will randomly accelerate when not on gas pedal and/or a delay in brakes working. Has happened on more than one occasion.

   NHTSA complaint 11724225
4. Filed Jan 20, 2026Failure Jan 18, 2026Cincinnati, OHElectrical system

   The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, and the lights inside and outside of the vehicle failed to illuminate. The vehicle was jump-started. The failure reoccurred while attempting to restart the vehicle, and the contact was unable to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

   NHTSA complaint 11712016
5. Filed Sep 12, 2025Failure Sep 11, 2025Grantville, UTAir bags

   Airbag sensor failure in seat.

   NHTSA complaint 11686813
6. Filed Feb 25, 2025Failure Feb 25, 2025Eugene, ORAir bags, Seats, Unknown or other

   passenger presence detection system is malfunctioning, and causing a "service airbag" warning. This is a huge safety issue that could be detrimental or deathly in the event of an accident. This is a common issue among generation 1 volt owners, and should be considered for a recall or warranty coverage. The passenger presence detection system parts are discontinued, and even if I found the part the dealership cannot confirm for the pricey repair, that the airbag / sensor will not simply malfunction again -- which makes this a persistent safety concern and huge owner inconvenience to say the least.

   NHTSA complaint 11644947
7. Filed Dec 11, 2024Failure Nov 1, 2018Hugo, MNEngine

   Vehicle over-revs in cold weather. Engine runs excessively fast (4250 RPM) at highway speeds and around 3000 RPM when just sitting. Often times if I pull over and restart the car it will correct itself. This results in MPG as low as 22. The internet is full of examples of people with the exact same problem. I have seen no examples of the problem being solved. The engine will operate correctly in warmer weather (above 50° F). I believe it is related to an aging propulsion battery and could be solved by improved programing to accommodate the battery state.

   NHTSA complaint 11630028
8. Filed Aug 8, 2024Failure Jul 1, 2024Oklahoma City, OKElectrical system

   THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 70MPH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE, ALONG WITH THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE OR ANY WARNING LAMPS. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING 99,835 MILES.

   NHTSA complaint 11607202
9. Filed Jul 15, 2024Failure Jul 6, 2024Tulsa, OKEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Power train

   7/6/2024 Was driving 45 mph on a busy road (running only on the gas engine of this plug-in hybrid). Propulsion Power Reduced message showed near the speedometer. My speed was immediately decreased. The check engine light also came on. Despite pressing the gas pedal, the speed could not be maintained and I had to pull off quickly before causing an accident. Luckily, no accident occurred but I fear would could have happened if I wasn't in the right place to pull over quickly. After getting the car towed to a Chevy dealership, they diagnosed the problem as being with the hybrid battery - it needs to be replaced. I don't understand why I had a full tank of gas, was running on gas, and that a bad EV battery would cause ALL propulsion to stop so quickly.

   NHTSA complaint 11602358
10. Filed May 24, 2024Failure Dec 15, 2023Johnson City, TNPower train

    This is a report on a previous safety recall that has failed to fix the problem. The recall is GM Program # N172130462 for sudden-onset reduced propulsion. The recall repair was performed on this vehicle at 91,064 miles. However, since the recall, a reduced propulsion condition has recurred multiple times. Subsequent to the most recent episode, the vehicle has been in the dealer's repair shop for 5.5 months. The dealer technician affirms it is a software problem, but is unable to figure out how to repair it, even with assistance of a General Motors field engineer. The dealer technician told me that the GM field engineer knows of other cars with the same problem.

    NHTSA complaint 11590578
11. Filed May 15, 2024Failure May 14, 2024Bakersfield, CABody

    Coolant leaking and damage to Drive Motor Battery Coolant Radiator due to the design of the vehicle that allows for rocks and debris large enough to damage radiator through. There is a service bulletin (13-06-02-001A) for this issue. When the radiator is damaged, the driver will suddenly receive a check engine light, reduce propulsion notice, and engine not available message. The car will suddenly stall and this cause a major safety concern especially on highways at high speed. However no active recalls, even though this is a common reoccuring problem amongst first generation Volts.

    NHTSA complaint 11588954
12. Filed May 14, 2024Failure May 14, 2024Bakersfield, CAEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Unknown or other

    Vehicle propolusion reduced and engine not available messages were suddenly showing. Check engine light turned on. Suddenly Stalled/stopped in the middle of highway. Safety concerns

    NHTSA complaint 11588786
13. Filed Apr 17, 2024Failure Jul 28, 2023Glen Ellyn, ILAir bags

    In September 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened [XXX] to assess the malfunction of the Passenger Sensing System (PSS) in the 2012-2013 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. Due to that malfunction, the air bag system malfunction indicator light is activated. This could cause the passenger airbag to be suppressed in a crash. In July 2021, the ODI closed [XXX] after GM instituted a cost reduction program for the repair/replacement of the PSS in the subject vehicles. In July 2023, I took my 2012 Volt to a local dealer to correct this problem, only to learn that the necessary replacement part has been DISCONTINUED by GM and is no longer available. That is, frankly, unconscionable. I am requesting that ODI reopen the investigation and take further action to compel GM to make this repair available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11583704
14. Filed Apr 5, 2024Failure Apr 1, 2024santa cruz, CAAir bags, Seats

    This issue has been reported extensively: NHTSA PE19013. The passenger seat sensor has failed leading to the airbag turning on and off rapidly while driving. This is available for inspection upon request. I worry about the safety of occupants in the car. If the airbag is turned off despite a passenger sitting in the seat that is a problem. The price of repair at a dealer is very high considering that this is a very clear quality control issue by GM that has been acknowledged by both GM and NHTSA. This warning light has turned on before and then went away for a long time. Now it has returned and after some research it is clearly an issue that many other 2012-2013 volt owners have experienced.

    NHTSA complaint 11581443
15. Filed Dec 28, 2023Failure Jul 1, 2023100,000 milesPotomac, MDAir bags

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the front passenger’s side air bag Passenger Sensor System was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the part to repair the vehicle had been discontinued and no repair was available. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the part was discontinued. The failure mileage was 100,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11562249
16. Filed Dec 19, 2023Failure Dec 11, 2023Memphis, INElectrical system, Service brakesCrash

    Grandson was driving and went to brake to make a turn and the engine not available light came on and he had no brakes. He was unable to slow and take the turn and hit a truck in the front driver quarter panel which resulted in the car being a total loss.

    NHTSA complaint 11560993
17. Filed Dec 14, 2023Failure Dec 13, 2023100,000 milesDowners Grove, IL12v/24v/48v battery

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving approximately 50-60 MPH, the Engine Failure, Mountain Mode Not Available, Battery at Zero Percent, Propulsion Power Reduced, and High Voltage messages were displayed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle then inadvertently decelerated to 30-40 MPH. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off the vehicle. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the high-voltage battery pack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to pass the yearly vehicle inspection. The dealer loaded sample data into the computer and then drove the vehicle for 50 miles before the vehicle passed inspection. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE23022 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11560075
18. Filed Nov 29, 2023Failure Nov 28, 2023120,000 milesIndependence, MOElectronic stability control (esc), Service brakes

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow down, the brake pedal required an abnormal amount of pressure to slow the vehicle. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake pressure modulator valve. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V271000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11557540
19. Filed Oct 16, 2023Failure Oct 12, 2023127,000 milesFlat Rock, MIAir bags

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the "Service Air Bag" warning light intermittently illuminated. The contact notified a dealer about the failure and was provided a diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Action Number: PE19013 which was linked to the failure. The NHTSA investigation was later closed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11550205
20. Filed Aug 10, 2023Failure Aug 10, 2023Columbus, OHAir bags

    Airbag sensor harness underneath the passenger seat comes disconnected from moving the seat back and forth causing a warning on the dash. GM has a TSB about this and should rewire the harness for free. The passenger presence module is undetected when the seat moves forward but is detected when moved to its full rearward position.

    NHTSA complaint 11537769