2012 Chevrolet Volt problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (61) · Electrical System (40) · Fuel/Propulsion System (25)
🧭 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
185 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
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 Brakes 2013-06-27 · campaign 13V271000 · 4 vehicles
Defect: 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. 12
Risk: If the brakes lock up it could cause a loss of steering control and/or a lengthened distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will install a new brake pressure modulator valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 12, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's recall number is 13184.
Service bulletins (1,849)
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 1,849 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-25 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 132,000 mi“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 …”
2026-06-04 · 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…”
2026-03-13 · 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.…”
2026-01-20 · Electrical 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 …”
2025-02-25 · 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 …”
2024-12-11 · Engine“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 b…”
2024-08-08 · Electrical 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. …”
2024-07-15 · 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 a…”
2024-05-24 · Power 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…”
2024-05-15 · Structure:body“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 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.