2012 Chevrolet Volt problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, most often about airbags. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 92
Recalls: 2
Crashes: 1
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Median mileage: 100,000 mi

Key facts

Airbags is the most-reported problem area, named in 48 of 92 complaints (52%).
Electrical System (24) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (16) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 100,000 mi.
Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
The 2012 Chevrolet Volt has 2 recalls on file.
NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
It ranks 5th of 9 Chevrolet Volt model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 411% more complaints than the 2011 model year (18).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Air bags	46
Electrical system	22
Fuel/propulsion system	16
Engine	10
Power train	8
Service brakes	7
Unknown or other	5
Vehicle speed control	4

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2012 Chevrolet Volt complaints that list mileage.

2012 Chevrolet Volt recalls (2)

Recall 15V145000Mar 13, 201550,236 vehicles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
Remedy: 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.
Recall 13V271000Jun 27, 20134 vehicles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · SERVICE BRAKES
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. 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems"' and No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
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.
Remedy: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023led to recall 22V063000
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…
PE19013Opened Sep 17, 2019Closed Jul 2, 2021
Passenger Sensing System
In September 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-013 to assess the potential safety related effects of a malfunction of the Passenger Sensing System (PSS) in 2012-2013 Model Year (MY) Chevrolet Volt vehicles. Consumers reported that due to a malfunction of the PSS, the air bag system malfunction indicator light (MIL) was activated. Many of the complaints noted the malfunction occurred after the warranty period expired and mentioned high repair costs as a major deterrent to the repair of the vehicle.The PSS sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and i…
PE11037Opened Nov 25, 2011Closed Jan 20, 2012
Post-Crash EV Fire Hazard
The subject vehicles, which employ emerging technology, are range-extended electric vehicles that utilize a high voltage (HV) battery to provide energy for propulsion. The HV battery is lithium-ion based technology that has a nominal full charge of 390 VDC, a 16 kWh capacity, and a control system that incorporates liquid (antifreeze) cooling and various electronic devices (control modules, sensors, wiring, etc) to monitor and manage the HV battery. The HV battery, portions of the cooling system, and the control system are contained within a common enclosure.During an NCAP oblique side pole imp…

Recent 2012 Chevrolet Volt complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Jun 25, 2026132,000 miVAElectrical System
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 instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
NHTSA complaint #11746435 · source
Filed Jun 4, 2026NYFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
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
NHTSA complaint #11742075 · source
Filed Mar 13, 2026CTBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control
Car will randomly accelerate when not on gas pedal and/or a delay in brakes working. Has happened on more than one occasion.
NHTSA complaint #11724225 · source
Filed Jan 20, 2026OHElectrical 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 be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11712016 · source
Filed Feb 25, 2025ORAirbagsOther / UnknownSeats & Seat Belts
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 are discontinued, and even if I found the part the dealership cannot confirm for the pricey repair, that the airbag / sensor will…
NHTSA complaint #11644947 · source
Filed Dec 11, 2024MNEngine
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 being solved. The engine will operate correctly in warmer weather (above 50° F). I believe it is related to an aging propulsion…
NHTSA complaint #11630028 · source
Filed Aug 8, 2024OKElectrical 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.
NHTSA complaint #11607202 · source
Filed Jul 15, 2024OKEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
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 accident. Luckily, no accident occurred but I fear would could have happened if I wasn't in the right place to pull over quickly.…
NHTSA complaint #11602358 · source

Compare the 2012 Chevrolet Volt with another vehicle →

Other 2012 Chevrolet models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology