Chevrolet Volt recalls

8 official safety recalls for the Chevrolet Volt from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Driver air bag inflator may explode

    Reported July 27, 2023Model years 2013NHTSA campaign 23V516000767 vehicles affected

    A manufacturing defect may cause the driver air bag inflator to explode during deployment, sending sharp metal fragments into occupants and potentially causing serious injury or death. Dealers will replace the driver air bag module, and on some vehicles the steering wheel as well, free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
    Defect
    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
    Consequence
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy
    Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

  2. Rear seatbelt retractor may not lock

    Reported September 26, 2018Model years 2018–2019NHTSA campaign 18V67300015,800 vehicles affected

    A rear seatbelt retractor may not lock when the belt is fully extended, which may prevent a child seat from being secured properly. In a crash, this could increase injury risk. Dealers will inspect the retractors and replace them if needed, free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
    Defect
    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
    Consequence
    If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  3. Rear brake pistons may reduce braking performance

    Reported August 30, 2018Model years 2018–2019NHTSA campaign 18V576000210,628 vehicles affected

    Insufficient coating on the rear brake caliper pistons may cause gas pockets to form and reduce braking performance, increasing crash risk. Dealers will bleed the brake system free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
    Defect
    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
    Consequence
    A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  4. Hybrid system may lose propulsion

    Reported June 14, 2018Model years 2013NHTSA campaign 18V3970004,606 vehicles affected

    A control module update may disable cell balancing and cause low voltage. If voltage drops, the vehicle may lose propulsion, increasing crash risk. Dealers will reprogram the module free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
    Defect
    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. An update to the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2 (HPCM2) may have disabled the cell balancing function causing a low-voltage condition.
    Consequence
    If the voltage drops, the vehicle may lose propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
    Remedy
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the HPCM2, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18215.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  5. Driver air bag may inflate improperly

    Reported October 5, 2017Model years 2016NHTSA campaign 17V62100016 vehicles affected

    The driver air bag may inflate improperly during second-stage deployment in a high-speed crash, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will replace the driver air bag module free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
    Defect
    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
    Consequence
    An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
    Remedy
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  6. Tie rod may separate from steering gear

    Reported July 10, 2015Model years 2015NHTSA campaign 15V44200010 vehicles affected

    An inner tie rod may not be tightened correctly and could separate from the steering gear, causing loss of steering and increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    STEERING
    Defect
    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.
    Consequence
    Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15386.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  7. Engine may start in an enclosed space

    Reported March 13, 2015Model years 2011–2013NHTSA campaign 15V14500050,236 vehicles affected

    If the electrical system is left on, the battery may drain and start the engine to recharge it. Running for an extended time in an enclosed space could cause carbon monoxide to build up and risk injury. Dealers will update the engine management software to limit how long the stationary vehicle can remain on, free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
    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.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  8. Front brakes may lock during stability or traction control

    Reported June 27, 2013Model years 2012NHTSA campaign 13V2710004 vehicles affected

    A brake pressure modulator problem may prevent pressure from being released during an ABS, stability control or traction control event, causing one or both front brakes to lock. This could reduce steering control or increase stopping distance. Dealers will install a new modulator valve free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SERVICE BRAKES
    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.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

Back to the Chevrolet Volt