General Motors

Chevrolet Volt first-generation pack (16 to 17.1 kWh, 2011-2015)

Lithium-ion (manganese spinel cathode) cells from LG Chem · 16 kWh · used in 1 model variant.

Pack reference

Lithium-ion (manganese spinel cathode) · LG Chem · 288 cells in nine linked modules, T-shaped, about 435 lb; pack assembled by GM in Brownstown Township, Michigan

About the pack

Capacity

16 kWh

as published

EV-only range

—

limited data

Warranty floor

—

see OEM warranty book

Pack overview

ChemistryLithium-ion (manganese spinel cathode)

Cell supplierLG Chem

Cell formatPrismatic, in GM's wording (polymer-coated aluminum housings)

Voltage (nominal)348 V

CoolingLiquid (heats and cools)

Architecture288 cells in nine linked modules, T-shaped, about 435 lb; pack assembled by GM in Brownstown Township, Michigan

Warranty 8 yr / 100k mi

Known issues

Medium

NHTSA investigated the 2011-2012 Volt for post-crash battery fires (PE11-037, November 2011 to January 2012) after a test car caught fire three weeks after a side-impact crash test. GM ran a free customer satisfaction campaign on 14,735 cars built before December 21, 2011, strengthening the structure around the battery and adding a coolant-level sensor and a tamper-resistant bracket on the coolant reservoir. NHTSA closed the investigation without finding a defect trend, and no recall was issued.

NHTSA investigation

High

NHTSA 18V-397 (June 2018) covers 4,606 Volts from model year 2013. A software update to a hybrid powertrain control module may have disabled battery cell balancing, which can cause a low-voltage condition and a loss of propulsion. Dealers reprogram the module free of charge.

NHTSA recall

Low

NHTSA 15V-145 (March 2015) covers 2011-2013 Volts. If the driver leaves the car without turning it off, the battery may drain until the gasoline engine starts itself to recharge it, and carbon monoxide can build up in an enclosed space. Dealers update the software to limit how long the stationary car can stay on, free of charge. This is not a battery defect.

NHTSA recall

Low

GM raised the pack's total capacity from 16 kWh to 16.5 kWh for 2013 and widened the share it uses from 10.3 kWh to 10.8 kWh. The 2015 spec sheet lists 17.1 kWh.

Manufacturer

Low

GM's 2011 spec sheet lists 288 prismatic cells, a 16 kWh pack assembled in Brownstown Township, Michigan, a full charge in about four hours at 240 volts and an eight-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.

Manufacturer spec

Low

GM's 2015 spec sheet gives the battery warranty as eight years or 100,000 miles, and 10 years or 100,000 miles in states that follow California's emission rules.

Manufacturer spec

How this pack ages (industry context)

Industry fleet aggregates: 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs / 21 models (Geotab, 2026), and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000+ vehicles (Recurrent, 2026).

OEM warranty floor on this pack: 8 yr / 100k mi.

Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. Individual results vary materially with climate, charging behavior, and DC fast-charge frequency.

Vehicles using this pack

Chevrolet Volt

2011-2015 · All trims: 16 kWh (2011-2012), 16.5 kWh (2013-2014), 17.1 kWh (2015)

35-38 miEPA electric range

93-98MPGe

Full reliability page →

Battery-Related NHTSA Recalls

Recalls affecting battery, charging, electric propulsion, or thermal-event systems on vehicles using this pack, as of the last complaint-data run. Each campaign names the model generation it was filed against; the summary gives the model years covered.

18V397000 Jun 14, 2018 HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

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: If the voltage drops, the vehicle may lose propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.

Filed against: Chevrolet Volt 2011-2015

For TWD editorial coverage of major recall campaigns, see /recalls/.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chemistry is the Chevrolet Volt first-generation pack (16 to 17.1 kWh, 2011-2015)?

The Chevrolet Volt first-generation pack (16 to 17.1 kWh, 2011-2015) uses Lithium-ion (manganese spinel cathode) chemistry. Cells are supplied by LG Chem. Cell format: Prismatic, in GM's wording (polymer-coated aluminum housings). Pack architecture: 288 cells in nine linked modules, T-shaped, about 435 lb; pack assembled by GM in Brownstown Township, Michigan.

What is the warranty on this pack?

8 years or 100,000 miles. Specific terms vary by year and trim; check the manufacturer's warranty booklet for the exact vehicle.

How much does this pack degrade over time?

Industry-wide fleet aggregates show roughly 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs (Geotab, 2026), with about 95% range retention at five years on average across Recurrent's 30,000+ vehicle fleet (2026). Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. The Chevrolet Volt first-generation pack (16 to 17.1 kWh, 2011-2015) battery warranty runs 8 years / 100,000 miles, which is the OEM-guaranteed minimum within that period. Individual results vary with climate, charging habits, and DC fast-charging frequency.

Which vehicles use the Chevrolet Volt first-generation pack (16 to 17.1 kWh, 2011-2015)?

Chevrolet Volt 2011-2015 (All trims: 16 kWh (2011-2012), 16.5 kWh (2013-2014), 17.1 kWh (2015)).