AI DamageChevrolet Volt: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Chevrolet Volt across 4 model years: 1,132 owner complaints and 1,012 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 43% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 33% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 2% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 1% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 488 complaints (43% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 700.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 375 complaints (33% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
- Powertrain: 373 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 234.
- Engine: 285 complaints (25% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 166.
- Vehicle speed control: 47 complaints (4% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.4 L · plug-in hybrid · 4 cyl 2011–2015
- 1.5 L · plug-in hybrid · 4 cyl 2016–2019
- CVT 2011–2019
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,132 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 488 | 7 | 700 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 375 | 4 | 35 |
| Powertrain | 373 | 1 | 234 |
| Engine | 285 | 2 | 166 |
| Vehicle speed control | 47 | 3 | 6 |
| Service brakes | 43 | 8 | 65 |
| Steering | 24 | 2 | 46 |
| Air bags | 16 | 4 | 15 |
| Electronic stability control | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 12 | 0 | 37 |
| Visibility | 9 | 1 | 63 |
| Engine and cooling | 8 | 0 | 219 |
| Backover prevention | 5 | 0 | 17 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 116 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that while the daughter was driving in reverse the warning message "Reduced Propulsion" had displayed and suddenly the power steering failed and the vehicle lurched backward and crashed into a utility pole. During the incident, the driver pressed the brake pedal but the vehicle did not stop.
while driving my vehicle when the outside temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below I turn my defrost on and for 30 plus seconds my front window completely fogs up and I am unable to see out of my front window and have zero visibility which caused me to crash.
There were no warning lights to illuminate. A police report was not filed. There was no reported fire or air bag deployment. The contact sustained injuries to his neck and back and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a body shop who informed him the battery was scratched.
Vehicle Make and Model 2017 Chevrolet Volt LT •Miles Currently 28,000 •(Car is recalled) Energy Hybrid • The vehicle will not turn off, Motor Light Constantly on • I never received a recall letter, email not mail notification •The whole car smells like smoke and gasoline when AAA gives me jumps • I’ve had two not at…
There were no warning light prior. The car has less than 28,000 miles and relatively new tires.
Was approaching an intersection with a stoplight that was red. Another car stopped at light. Applied brakes, but car slowed down only slightly, no matter how hard the brake pedal was applied. It was like braking on black ice, even though the cars wheels were still going around. Rear ended the car at the light.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.