2012 Chevrolet Volt Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, and owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Ignition (electrical system) and gasoline (engine and engine cooling)
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.
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…
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Service brakes and electronic stability control (esc)
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…
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…
245 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA; 6 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 11 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 77,111 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 40 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 s”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 25, 2026 · Electrical system
“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 dealers”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 4, 2026 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 37 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 35 / 40 |
| Fuel | Premium Gas or Electricity |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
Compare Chevrolet Volt model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Volt model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Chevrolet Volt | 1 | 49 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Volt | 2 | 245 |
| 2013 Chevrolet Volt | 3 | 308 |
| 2014 Chevrolet Volt | 0 | 93 |
| 2015 Chevrolet Volt | 1 | 44 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Volt | 1 | 169 |
| 2017 Chevrolet Volt | 0 | 699 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Volt | 2 | 225 |
| 2019 Chevrolet Volt | 2 | 34 |
Checking a specific 2012 Chevrolet Volt
How do I know if my 2012 Chevrolet Volt has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2012 Chevrolet Volt; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 13V271000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Malibu19,364 complaints
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.