Volt (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LUU - FFV, E-Flex, FAM
1.4L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Chevrolet Volt Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt
That's roughly 5.9x the typical rate for PHEVs in this dataset (median 2.8 per year). This generation has materially more battery & propulsion complaints than its peers. The comparison is not adjusted for sales volume.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 82 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Low-voltage battery deaths, common on EVs and hybrids that use a 12V for accessories.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Battery & propulsion recalls (1)
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.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2011] '11 Chevy Volt hybrid was daily driver of 100+ miles, multiple trips both highway and city for last 2 1/2 months. Breaks and rotors have been replaced all the way around, fresh oil changes as needed and filters. Warning on dash "Service High Voltage Charging System", ”Service Airbag" and check engine light have been on since I've owned it (Oct. 23). When plug car in it doesn't charge, but the EV
- [2011] THE CAR HAS PROCEEDED TO HAVE MULTIPLE ISSUES, WITH THE MOST PREDOMINANT AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE BEING AN AIRBAG FAILURE...TWICE. OTHER ISSUES: RADIO, DOOR LOCKS, AND PARK ASSIST ENGAGE/DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN. BRAKES NOT CATCHING CAUSING CAR TO ROLL. POWER FAILURE AND WON'T START. APRIL 2013, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED AT A RATE OF SPEED OVER 45MPH. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY; CAUSED PERSONA
- [2012] 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 suddenl
High-Voltage Battery
- [2011] '11 Chevy Volt hybrid was daily driver of 100+ miles, multiple trips both highway and city for last 2 1/2 months. Breaks and rotors have been replaced all the way around, fresh oil changes as needed and filters. Warning on dash "Service High Voltage Charging System", ”Service Airbag" and check engine light have been on since I've owned it (Oct. 23). When plug car in it doesn't charge, but the EV
- [2012] 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
- [2012] 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
Charging System
- [2012] EVSE CHARGING CABLE STOPPED WORKING. GM FLIP FLOPPED OVER THE LAST YEAR ON WARRANTY COVERAGE. I HAVE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS WITH THE WARRANTY COVERAGE STATUS CHANGED FROM V (VOLTEC), TO BUMPER-TO-BUMPER, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD AS OF DEC 1ST, 2017 (NOT WHAT I AGREED TO WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR). UNABLE TO CHARGE VEHICLE AT HOME WITHOUT IT. GM REPLACED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THES
- [2012] WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD ENGAGE BY ITSELF. THE ONLY WAY TO DISENGAGE IT WAS TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME I DID THIS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DISABLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROADWAY. THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY CHARGING PORT SENDING OUT A FALSE PROXIMITY SIGNAL TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER, MAKING IT THINK IT WAS CH
- [2012] THE STANDARD CHARGE CORD UNIT SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALER HAS FAILED TWICE, AND I BELIEVE IT POSES A FIRE RISK. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS 9/1/12 AT APPROX. 18,000 MILES. CORROSION WAS NOTED ON THE PLUG. THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN BLAMED RUST FROM A RECENT RAINSTORM AND REPLACED THE CHARGE CORD UNIT. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS YESTERDAY AT 32,350 MILES. THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED CHARGI
12V Auxiliary Battery
- [2012] While traveling slowly (about 25mph) on an uphill grade, my Volt suddenly, with no warning messages or other alerts to me, lost propulsion, power brakes and power steering. This car is extremely hard to steer and to brake without the power assists, so I really had to wrestle with the wheel to avoid losing control of the car, and I really had to jam on the brake pedal to get it to a stop, even thou
- [2012] THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY A PREVIOUS SOFTWARE UPDATE TO THE VEHICLE INTERFACE CONTROL MODULE (VICM) WHICH WAS INSTALLED TO IMPROVE THE CAR, BUT WHICH MAY HAVE DISABLED THE CELL BALANCING FUNCTION, CAUSING THE VOLT TO ENTER A LOW-VOLTAGE CONDITION. THIS PUTS THE AFFECTED VOLTS INTO A SITUATION WHERE IT WOULD ENTER WHAT IS CALLED A LOW-POWER "LIMP-HOME" MODE, BEFORE SHUTTING DOWN COMPLETELY CAUSE THE V
- [2012] I HAVE HAD VARIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES-NOVEMBER OF 2012. FIRST BACK UP CAMERA WENT BLANK, JULY 2014 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HIGH VOLTAGE; NOVEMBER 14 ELECTRICAL ISSUE; JUNE 2015 UNINTENTIONAL RUNNING LIGHT ON; JULY 2015 SAME ISSUE; AUGUST 2015 CHECK ENGINE/ARIBAG LIGHT ON DEALER CHECKED AND RESET CODES . AUGUST 2016 CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT ON. WENT IN SEVERAL TIMES STEVE MOORE ORDERED PART THAT WOULD BE $
Regenerative Braking
- [2012] DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEGAN MAKING EXTREMELY LOUD WHINING-LIKE SOUND WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING. PARKED THE CAR UNTIL IT COULD BE ACCEPTED AT THE CERTIFIED CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. TECHNICIAN IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND EXPRESSED IT AS "COMMON." THE ISSUE IS A SEPARATION OF THE "ELECTRIC DRIVER MOTOR B ROTOR BEARING CAGE" REQUIRING A REVISED BEARING INSTALLAT
- [2012] TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET VOLT. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REGENERATIVE BRAKE BEARING. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REP
- [2012] THIS CAR RELIES ON REGENERATIVE BRAKING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE FIRST APPLIED. REGENERATIVE BRAKING IS ONLY APPLIED TO THE FRONT WHEELS. WHEN A WHEEL LOSES TRACTION, REGEN BRAKING SWITCHES OFF COMPLETELY AND IMMEDIATELY, AND FRICTION BRAKES TAKE OVER. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A DELAY FROM REGEN BRAKING SWITCHING OFF TO THE FRICTION BRAKES ACTIVATING. THIS DELAY CAUSES THE CAR'S BRAKING DISTANCE
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2012] 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
- [2012] 2012 CHEVROLET VOLT, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOSING POWER FOR PROPULSION ON THE HIGHWAY/ROADS AT ALL SPEEDS. SHUTTING OFF. ELECTRIC CHARGE IS SUPPOSED TO SWITCH TO THE GASOLINE MOTOR WHEN IT IS LOW, BUT IT DOES NOT, AND VICE VERSA. IT SHOWS HYBRID BATTERY MANAGEMENT HAS A LOSS OF PROPULSION WITH A MESSAGE OF LOW PROPULSION POWER. THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED WITH A RECALL A FEW YEARS BACK BECA
- [2012] WHILE DRIVING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER HAVING TO BASICALLY DEPRESS GAS PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY RECEIVING "REDUCED PROPULSION ERROR". DEALER CLEARED ERROR AND DID A REPROGRAM. AFTER PICKING UP VEHICLE RANGE WAS REDUCED APPROXIMATELY 1/3RD BUT CAR RAN. SHAME ON ME FOR NOT BEING MORE FORCEFUL ABOUT RANGE REDUCTION BECAUSE THIS BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS SUMMER JUNE 2020 COMPLAINED A
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Battery: Chevrolet Volt first-generation pack (16 to 17.1 kWh, 2011-2015)
Pack overview
Known issues
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.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Volt, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt
On a used 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (295), the electrical system (227) and the fuel system (126). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 295 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 227 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt about the electrical system.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 126 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt about the fuel system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 88 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt about the engine.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 59 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt about the brakes.
- Accelerate hard once from a stop and once from 40 mph, and hold a steady highway speed.Safety. NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt about the electric drive system.
Recalls (5)
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.
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.
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.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through April 17, 2012. Due to a brake pressure modulator valve problem, the vehicles do not relieve brake pressure from the front brakes during an anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), or traction control event. One or both front brakes may lock up and not release. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems"' and No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
All Generations
Alternatives in Compact Hybrid
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt complaints?
Owners have filed 738 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the electrical system and the fuel system.
Is the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 738 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt have?
NHTSA has 738 owner complaints on file for the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Volt?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the electrical system and the fuel system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Volt?
The 2015 Chevrolet Volt received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (9.3% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 738 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.