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#BS-2012-CHEVOL-22D72012 Chevrolet VoltProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 359 owners and 2 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 359 complaints, 11 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 recalls.
Top reported problems
tpms inoperative
3 complaints • Severity 4/10
passenger seat sensor is not working
3 complaints • Severity 5.3/10
diminished drive battery capacity
2 complaints • Severity 9/10
not charging
2 complaints • Severity 7/10
lost propulsion revving
2 complaints • Severity 8/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
84 owners reported airbags issues — failures commonly reported around 77K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 90–120K miles (60 reports) • Median: 77K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Airbags (84 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2012 Chevrolet Volt: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 23% of all reports filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, with 84 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 77,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 77K-mile mark.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 22% of all reports filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, with 78 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Fuel System Issues
Fuel System complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, with 37 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, with 27 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt. Recent trend: increasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (2 recalls)
SERVICE BRAKES
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."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2012 Chevrolet Volt NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (3)
All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.
Pedestrian alert sounds
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Post-Crash EV Fire Hazard
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Passenger Sensing System
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
The worst model year for the Chevrolet Volt is the 2017 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is electrical.
2012 Chevrolet Volt vs. Class Average (Compact Cars)
This vehicle
359
Class avg
242
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other compact cars vehicles from 2012.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 359 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 2 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
2012 Chevrolet Volt: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2012 Chevrolet Volt Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 359 owner reports. Know before you buy.