Chevrolet

Volt (2nd)

2016-2019 · Compact Sedan · 1 engine
Best Engine Avoid (1.1)
1,094 NHTSA Complaints
3 Recalls
10 Fire Reports
17 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

L3A - DI, VVT, HYBRID, GEN 1

1.5L 4-cyl
Avoid (1.1)
1,080 complaints 266.8 per year Electric
9 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
474
transmission
361
fuel system
354
engine
283
other
95

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (474 complaints)
Transmission Issues (361 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (354 complaints)

Also found in

CHEVROLET Volt (2016-2019)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Chevrolet Volt regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (474 complaints)
electrical serious
Transmission Issues (361 complaints)
transmission serious
Fuel System Issues (354 complaints)
fuel_system serious
Engine Issues (283 complaints)
engine serious

Recalls (3)

18V576000Aug 29, 2018serious
Service Brakes

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

18V673000Sep 25, 2018serious
Seat Belts

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

17V621000May 9, 2017serious
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt problems?

The 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt has accumulated 1,094 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Transmission, Fuel System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Chevrolet Volt engine is most reliable?

The 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt was offered with 1 engine option. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.5L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt a good used car?

The 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,094 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt have?

The 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt has 1,094 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt?

There are 3 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Volt?

Before buying a used Chevrolet Volt, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Transmission, Fuel System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,094 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver