What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2013 Chevrolet Volt

Typical pattern

5% of complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Volt came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2013 vehicle — around the middle of the 210 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (161 complaints), typically at 7.0 yr or about 76,000 miles.

Complaints
444
Median age at failure
6.8 yr
Median mileage
66,085 n=305
Crash / fire / tow
6.8% of reports
Safety recalls
3

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
161 reports · 76,000 mi
7.0 yr
0.6%
Electrical system
62 reports · 60,000 mi
7.4 yr
11.3%
Fuel / propulsion
53 reports · 60,000 mi
7.5 yr
5.7%
Engine
37 reports · 52,000 mi
5.8 yr
8.1%
Seats
31 reports · 68,514 mi
6.5 yr
0%
Power train
23 reports · 50,000 mi
5.8 yr
8.7%
Service brakes
18 reports · 45,000 mi
6.2 yr
22.2%
Other
15 reports · 73,000 mi
8.1 yr
6.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

23V516000 2023-07-27
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

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.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

18V397000 2018-06-14
Hybrid propulsion system

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.

If the voltage drops, the vehicle may lose propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.

15V145000 2015-03-13
Electrical system:ignition

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.

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.

In owners’ own words

Engine 19,900 mi 1.6 yr in service
MY CHEVY VOLT WAS AT A CAR WASH AND THE ATTENDANT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF WHILE STILL IN "D" GEAR. THE CAR IS ABLE TO ROLL AND MOVE WHILE IN THIS GEAR. I WAS SURPRISED SO I TESTED IT FOR MYSELF, AND SURE ENOUGH YOU'RE ABLE TO TURN THE POWER OFF AND EXIT THE VEHICLE WHILE STILL IN 'D'. EVERY CAR I'VE OWNED (AUTOMATIC) FORCES YOU TO SHIFT INTO P OR N BEFORE ALLOWING THE KEY TO REMOVE. THIS IS A GREAT CONCERN FOR ME, SO I CALLED MY VOLT ADVISOR TODAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS ROLLED INTO THEIR GARAGE, AND THE BEHAVIOR WAS BY DESIGN AND NORMAL. *TR
Engine 11,669 mi 9 mo in service
THE VEHICLE HAS REPEATEDLY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING/FAILED TO START SINCE JUNE 2013. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE DUE TO REPAIRS = 42 DAYS IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS. GM CONTINUES TO REPLACE/RECALL PARTS ON THE HYBRID BATTERY AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS CONCERNING SECONDARY PROBLEMS. I AM AFRAID THIS VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AGAIN WHILE I AM DRIVING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT HURTING ME OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. CLEARLY, IT IS A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. *TR
Engine 6,500 mi 1.8 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE PULLING OUT THE DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH, THE PARKING BRAKE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER LEAKED INTO THE BATTERY CHARGING RECEPTACLE CAUSING THE RESISTANCE OF THE INTERLOCK TO DROP OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE PARKING BRAKE BECOMING ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500. UPDATED 12/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO PARK.
Electrical system 9,100 mi 1.5 yr in service
CAR GAS ENGINE STARTED, (ENGINE RUNNING DUE TO TEMP). RAN FOR JUST A FEW SECONDS, THEN SHUT DOWN AND WENT INTO "SERVICE MODE" - KILLING BOTH THE GAS ENGINE AND ELECTRIC MOTOR - WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY BUTTONS ON DASH. *TR

Other Volt model years

201920182017201620152014201320122011

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