2012 Chevrolet Volt electrical system problems

Related recalls

• 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.

What owners say

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. Filed Dec 19, 2023INCrashTowedBrakesElectrical System

   Grandson was driving and went to brake to make a turn and the engine not available light came on and he had no brakes. He was unable to slow and take the turn and hit a truck in the front driver quarter panel which resulted in the car being a total loss.

   NHTSA complaint #11560993 · source
5. Filed Dec 14, 2023100,000 miILElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving approximately 50-60 MPH, the Engine Failure, Mountain Mode Not Available, Battery at Zero Percent, Propulsion Power Reduced, and High Voltage messages were displayed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle then inadvertently decelerated to 30-40 MPH. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off the vehicle. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart.…

   NHTSA complaint #11560075 · source
6. Filed Dec 27, 2022MEElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   2012 chevrolet volt, the vehicle has been losing power for propulsion on the highway/roads at all speeds. Shutting off. Electric charge is supposed to switch to the gasoline motor when it is low, but it does not, and vice versa. It shows hybrid battery management has a loss of propulsion with a message of low propulsion power. The original problem was not fixed with a recall a few years back because the same problem is showing up. Now, chevy does not have this vin being…

   NHTSA complaint #11498960 · source
7. Filed Sep 21, 2022TXElectrical System

   Blank (dark) main screen display for speedometer, fuel, etc. Fuse not blown. the vehicle is unsafe to drive. One can run out of electrical power and or gas and not know, stop on the highway and be in harms way. no turn signals, no speed indication at all, nothing. this is recall worthy! and needs to be addressed by chevy.

   NHTSA complaint #11485756 · source
8. Filed Feb 9, 2022NEElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Car suddenly entersinto a no start and stall.this is being repaired by h&h chevrolet in omaha at owners expense.the problem seems to be in a faulty batterycharge sensor. The part is being ordered by h&h service department andis notyet installed.as of 2/9/2022.

   NHTSA complaint #11451197 · source
9. Filed Oct 13, 2021NCElectrical SystemLightingAcceleration & Cruise Control

   LCD Driver panel, fuel,odometer, speedometer, screen is completely black. Started flickering then went out. No warnings given. I have no idea how fast I am going nor how much gas/ battery power I have.

   NHTSA complaint #11436687 · source
10. Filed Sep 16, 2021PAElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

    My instruments cluster that displays speedometer/fuel/battery charge indicator went absolutely blank while vehicle was in motion on busy highway. Only remedy recommend by Chevy dealer was to replace the entire assembly and reprogramming. I feel failure of essential display of basic functions to the driver is definitely a hazard to the vehicle operator and to the general public.

    NHTSA complaint #11433206 · source
11. Filed Sep 3, 202187,000 miPAElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that after entering and starting the vehicle, she became aware that the center console screen was showing a blank screen. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted. After waiting for a few minutes, the contact drove the vehicle to her son’s home to charge the vehicle and the display screen started working. The contact was concerned that the failure would recur. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…

    NHTSA complaint #11431602 · source
12. Filed Aug 13, 2021GAElectrical System

    The display screen which shows my gas, battery amount as well as my speed has stopped working. I have changed the fuses, disconnected the battery and it still will not come on. This is dangerous, as I cannot see how fast I am going and can potentially run out of gas and battery power on the highway with no way to get anywhere. This is the only thing that has gone out, everything else in the car is working. It has been reproduced and I cannot drive anywhere safely because of…

    NHTSA complaint #11428933 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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