2012 Chevrolet Volt
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 87 of 245 complaints (36%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Electrical include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 49 in 2011 to 245 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,100 | 2,100 | 2,100 | 2,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 37 | 37 | 37 | 37 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 35 / 40 | 35 / 40 | 35 / 40 | 35 / 40 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 84 | 87 | 81 | 81 | |
| Complaints filed | 49 | 245 | 308 | 93 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 6 | 8 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 11 | 9 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
Airbags & Restraints: 87 of 245 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt get?
EPA rates it 37 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
EPA estimates $2,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gas or Electricity | Compact Cars | 35 mpg | 40 mpg | 37 mpg | $2,100 | 87 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 22 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 86 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Brakes | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 87 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 20 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 19 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 15V145000 · Mar 13, 2015
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.
Consequence: 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.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); SERVICE BRAKES · Campaign 13V271000 · Jul 1, 2013
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. 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems"' and No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence: 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.