2011 Chevrolet Volt problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (18) · Air Bags (5) · Service Brakes (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Volt model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
38 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Electrical System:ignition 2015-03-13 · campaign 15V145000 · 50,236 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,714)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-20 · PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of general motors technical assistance center. if va
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,714 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-10-20 · Exterior Lighting · 97,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet volt. the contact stated that water was accumulating inside the driver's side taillight assembly. the contact stated that the water caused a short circuit in the taillight, and the passenger’s side turn signal became inoperable. the contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, an…”
2025-08-04 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“i was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake. when the light turned green, i released the brake and the car suddenly accelerated forward on its own, without me touching the accelerator. as soon as the car surged forward, i immediately pressed the brake pedal hard to stop it but instead of slowing down, the car continued to accelerate. it…”
2024-04-26 · Electrical System“driver display is blank (no speed, gear position, odometer, gas tank, etc), with the exception of some warning icons like tire pressure and passenger seat belt status. does no return after turning off power. …”
2024-01-20 · Steering“'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…”
2023-12-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the car quit running when my wife was driving the car when the mileage range went down to 4 miles range remaining. the car was towed to the local chevrolet dealership who charged over $1,000 to reset the electronics so car would run. i was advised that if battery range was run down to a low mileage range that car would quit running again and that…”
2023-09-14 · Engine · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet volt. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal whining sound coming from the engine compartment. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. the failure …”
2022-12-16 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element“the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet volt. the contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the defroster failed to operate as needed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer replaced the heating system module; however, the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. the f…”
2022-06-16 · Service Brakes“several times over the 2 years i have owned this vehicle while driving an almost complete loss of braking occurs with a service notice for the abs system. if you turn off the ignition and restart it the braking works fine. i am in the process of having the electronic brake control module - gm (84070136) and the brake pressure modulator valve - gm (…”
2021-10-09 · Electrical System“driver instrument panel went blank. speedometer, fuel/battery gauge, odometer, etc are all gone. the screen display light lit on and off in the background without any information. …”
2021-08-23 · Seats“for unknown reason check airbag light came on. no one sits in passenger seat and the seat has not been wet. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.