Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗On, but Unattended, Vehicle may cause CO Poisoning
- Summary
- 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.
Brakes May Lock Up/FMVSS 126, 135
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (245)
245 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 245 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 86 | 35.1% |
| Electrical system | 86 | 35.1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 37 | 15.1% |
| Engine | 26 | 10.6% |
| Service brakes | 23 | 9.4% |
| Power train | 22 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 17 | 6.9% |
| Seats | 14 | 5.7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 4.5% |
| Steering | 6 | 2.4% |
How 2012 compares with other Volt years
Best and worst Volt years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 49 | 1 |
| 2012 | 245 | 2 |
| 2013 | 308 | 3 |
| 2014 | 93 | 0 |
| 2015 | 44 | 1 |
| 2016 | 169 | 1 |
| 2017 | 699 | 0 |
| 2018 | 225 | 2 |
| 2019 | 34 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Chevrolet Volt 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 37 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 87 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 37 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 35 / 40 / 37 | $2,200 | 87 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Volt for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Chevrolet Volt FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 15V145000 (engine), 13V271000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Volt problems?
Owners filed 245 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (86), Electrical system (86), Fuel/propulsion system (37) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt get?
EPA rates the 1.4 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 35 city, 40 highway and 37 combined mpg.
What safety rating did the 2012 Chevrolet Volt get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Chevrolet Volt 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 5 stars rollover (9.3% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Volt compare with other years?
Among the 2011–2019 Chevrolet Volt model years at least five years old, the 2019 drew the fewest complaints (34) and the 2017 the most (699). The 2012 drew 245. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.