2011 CHEVROLET VOLT Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
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 syst...
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that water was accumulating inside the driver's side taillight assembly. The contact stated that the water caused a short circuit in the taillight, and the passenger’s side turn signal became inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle t...
Mileage: 97,000
I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake. When the light turned green, I released the brake and the car suddenly accelerated forward on its own, without me touching the accelerator. As soon as the car surged forward, I immediately pressed the brake pedal hard to stop it but instead of...
Driver display is blank (no speed, gear position, odometer, gas tank, etc), with the exception of some warning icons like tire pressure and passenger seat belt status. Does no return after turning off power.
'11 Chevy Volt hybrid was daily driver of 100+ miles, multiple trips both highway and city for last 2 1/2 months. Breaks and rotors have been replaced all the way around, fresh oil changes as needed and filters. Warning on dash "Service High Voltage Charging System", ”Service Airbag" and check en...
'11 Chevy Volt hybrid was daily driver of 100+ miles, multiple trips both highway and city for last 2 1/2 months. Breaks and rotors have been replaced all the way around, fresh oil changes as needed and filters. Warning on dash "Service High Voltage Charging System", ”Service Airbag" and check en...
'11 Chevy Volt hybrid was daily driver of 100+ miles, multiple trips both highway and city for last 2 1/2 months. Breaks and rotors have been replaced all the way around, fresh oil changes as needed and filters. Warning on dash "Service High Voltage Charging System", ”Service Airbag" and check en...
The car quit running when my wife was driving the car when the mileage range went down to 4 miles range remaining. The car was towed to the local Chevrolet dealership who charged over $1,000 to reset the electronics so car would run. I was advised that if battery range was run down to a low mileag...
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal whining sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of th...
Mileage: 90,000
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the defroster failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer replaced the heating system module; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the...
Several times over the 2 years I have owned this vehicle while driving an almost complete loss of braking occurs with a service notice for the ABS system. If you turn off the ignition and restart it the braking works fine. I am in the process of having the Electronic Brake Control Module - GM (84070...
Driver instrument panel went blank. Speedometer, fuel/battery gauge, odometer, etc are all gone. The screen display light lit on and off in the background without any information.
FOR UNKNOWN REASON CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. NO ONE SITS IN PASSENGER SEAT AND THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN WET.
FOR UNKNOWN REASON CHECK AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. NO ONE SITS IN PASSENGER SEAT AND THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN WET.
Charging station over heated and the plug burnt my wall plug
SINCE THE SPRING OF 2020, "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, RELATED TO PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG. WARNING GENERALLY COMES ON AT STARTUP, IF IT APPEARS. NO FLUIDS HAVE BEEN SPILLED ON THE SEAT, AND NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER, PURCHASED FROM FRIEND, CAR HAS ALWA...
Mileage: 53,000
SINCE THE SPRING OF 2020, "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, RELATED TO PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG. WARNING GENERALLY COMES ON AT STARTUP, IF IT APPEARS. NO FLUIDS HAVE BEEN SPILLED ON THE SEAT, AND NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER, PURCHASED FROM FRIEND, CAR HAS ALWA...
Mileage: 53,000
SINCE THE SPRING OF 2020, "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, RELATED TO PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG. WARNING GENERALLY COMES ON AT STARTUP, IF IT APPEARS. NO FLUIDS HAVE BEEN SPILLED ON THE SEAT, AND NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER, PURCHASED FROM FRIEND, CAR HAS ALWA...
Mileage: 53,000
THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS TURNED AND AIRBAG SENSOR IS BAD. PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND WORK FOR SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
Mileage: 10
THE HEAT WILL NOT WORK IN THE CAR WHEN THE CAR IS USING THE BATTERY - HEAT WILL ONLY WORK WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.
Mileage: 1
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WHICH DISPLAYS SPEED, ODOMETER AND FUEL LEVER AMONG OTHER SAFETY INFORMATION, STARTED TO GLITCH TOWARDS THAT END OF A TRIP OF ABOUT TWO HOURS. AT FIRST THE SCREEN WOULD FLICKER BUT WOULD EVENTUALLY REBOOT AND THE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE SHORTLY AFTER. NEXT MORNING THE SCREEN WO...
Mileage: 201,314
DRIVER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING. CAN NOT SEE SPEED, BATTERY CHARGE, FUEL LEVEL, TIRE PRESSURE, OR ANY OTHER WARNING. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH OUT SPEED AND FUEL REMAINING.
Mileage: 125,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS...
Mileage: 117,000
WHEN BELOW FREEZING OUT MAIN DISPLAY CONTAINING SPEED, DIRECTIONAL, GEAR SELECT, TIRE PRESSURE AND FUEL IS BLACK. ONLY AFTER TEMP GOES ABOVE FREEZING DOES DISPLAY GO BACK TO NORMAL.
'SERVICE AIRBAG' CHIME AND LIGHT COMING ON, ROUTINELY, EVEN WITH OR WITH ANYBODY IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE CAR TO A DEALER YET SINCE I HAVE BEEN READING FORUM INPUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SEEING HUGE COST TO REPAIR. CAR HAS ONLY 81K MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN FLOODED OR HAD WATER ON TH...
Mileage: 81,000
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED DUE TO A FAILED SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HAD TO REPLACE WITH A USED SEAT.
Mileage: 96,667
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED DUE TO A FAILED SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HAD TO REPLACE WITH A USED SEAT.
Mileage: 134,458
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK DARK NO VISIBILITY MPH , FUEL LEVEL, WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. IT FELT VERY DANGEROUS.
Mileage: 85,350
DRIVERS SIDE DASH DISPLAY WENT BLACK WHILE DRIVING, ( JUST DRIVING DOWN A CONGESTED FREEWAY IN HOUSTON ) ALL INFORMATION LOST SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, TURNING INDICATORS, PROPULSION MODE,, RATHER A NIGHTMARE HAVING THIS HAPPEN
Mileage: 35,700
WHILE DRIVING ON THE MORNING OF MAY 30, 2019, THE DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INITIATE A FULL SHUTDOWN OF THE VEHICLE. UPON STARTUP, THE DISPLAY CAME BACK ON FOR 5 SECONDS, THEN WENT TOTALLY BLANK AGAIN. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEVER CAME BACK ON. DEALER AN...
Mileage: 57,000
PROPULSION POWER REDUCED WARNING HAPPENING OFTEN. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SW REFLASH REQUIRED. IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR AFTER THIS REFLASH. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THIS OCCURS WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY AND I CANNOT GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT WILL EVENTUALLY ...
Mileage: 80,000
SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AT STARTUP. ITS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IN SEAT, SOUNDS LIKE ITS THE PRESSURE PLATE TO ACTIVATE AIR BAG IS BAD. SOUNDS LIKE A COMMON THING WITH THE VOLT?
Mileage: 80,000
MY 2011 VOLT FREQUENTLY SHOWS "PROPULSION POWER REDUCED" AFTER THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DEPLETED AND ON RESTART. THIS AFFECTS PERFORMANCE, ACCELERATION AND THUS SAFETY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES UNTIL THE SYSTEM REBALANCES ITSELF. THIS CONDITION BEGAN BACK IN 2015 SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT IS FIRST NOTED IN DEALE...
Mileage: 101,000
MY 2011 VOLT FREQUENTLY SHOWS "PROPULSION POWER REDUCED" AFTER THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DEPLETED AND ON RESTART. THIS AFFECTS PERFORMANCE, ACCELERATION AND THUS SAFETY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES UNTIL THE SYSTEM REBALANCES ITSELF. THIS CONDITION BEGAN BACK IN 2015 SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT IS FIRST NOTED IN DEALE...
Mileage: 101,000
MY 2011 VOLT FREQUENTLY SHOWS "PROPULSION POWER REDUCED" AFTER THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DEPLETED AND ON RESTART. THIS AFFECTS PERFORMANCE, ACCELERATION AND THUS SAFETY FOR SEVERAL MINUTES UNTIL THE SYSTEM REBALANCES ITSELF. THIS CONDITION BEGAN BACK IN 2015 SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT IS FIRST NOTED IN DEALE...
Mileage: 101,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM SEEING THE SPEEDOMETER OR FUEL GAUGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A...
Mileage: 84,763
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM SEEING THE SPEEDOMETER OR FUEL GAUGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A...
Mileage: 84,763
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE "PROPULSION POWER LOW DECREASE SPEED" MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE SPEED AUTOMATICALLY DECREASED TO 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LYNN SMITH CHEVROLET, 25 N BURLESON BLVD, BURLESON, TX 76028) WHERE IT WAS ...
Mileage: 58,000
DRIVER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER , SPEEDOMETER, GAS / ELECTRIC GAUGE UNREADABLE
Mileage: 64,000
DRIVER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER , SPEEDOMETER, GAS / ELECTRIC GAUGE UNREADABLE
Mileage: 64,000
DRIVER DISPLAY SHUTS OFF WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING USUALLY IN COLD WEATHER. TEMPERATURE USUALLY AROUND 0 DEGREES CELSIUS AND BELOW. CONSISTENTLY EVERY MORNING AT COLD START 1-2 MINS INTO DRIVE. THIS RESULTS IN NO SPEEDOMETER. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO PULL AND REINSTALL DISPLAY FUSE OR TUR...
Mileage: 108,000
IN THE 6 YEARS THAT I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE, THE POWER CORD HAS BURN THROUGH 2 TIMES AND THE RECEPTACLE IN WHICH IT WAS PLUGGED WAS BURNED OUT 4 TIMES. I'M FORTUNATE MY HOUSE HASN'T CAUGHT FIRE. I FEEL THIS IS GM'S RESPONSIBILITY AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE 2ND REPLACEMENT OF THIS CORD.
Mileage: 88,355
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ...
Mileage: 87,000
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY GOES BLACK WHILE DRIVING. WEB SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE.
Mileage: 120,000
DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT PANEL (LCD DISPLAY) BLACKOUT. THE LCD DISPLAY SIMPLY DID NOT COME ON AS IT NORMALLY DID WHEN I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE. I AM DRIVING "BLIND" CAN'T TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING, HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT, CAN'T SEE IF THE TURN SIGNALS ARE BLINKING, DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH CHARGE I HAVE ON THE B...
Mileage: 48,000
DRIVER INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT DARK AND WON'T TURN ON. LOSS OF ALL SPEED, TURN SIGNAL, AND WARNING DISPLAY.
Mileage: 65,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE B-BEARING JOINT DISINTEGRATED IN THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE LOUD NOISES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC B-BEARING JOINT WITH A METAL ONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE F...
Mileage: 120,000
THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I PLUGGED IN THE VEHICLE TO CHARGE, AND GAVE THIS MESSAGE SERVICE HIGH VOLTAGE CHARGING SYSTEM
Mileage: 104,125
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE SEAT BELTS WERE SECURED AND NOT WHEN THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A UNKNOWN LOCATION HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNO...
WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF A WARNING LIGHT COMES ON STATING THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE IS IN PARK. ENGINE DOES NOT WANT TO SHUT DOWN.
Mileage: 50
WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF A WARNING LIGHT COMES ON STATING THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE IS IN PARK. ENGINE DOES NOT WANT TO SHUT DOWN.
Mileage: 50
MY FIRST PROBLEMS I EXPERIENCE WITH THE 2011 CHEVY VOLT WAS AROUND OCTOBER, 2014. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I RECEIVED A "PROPULSION POWER REDUCED" INDICATION ON MY DASHBOARD AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WHICH RESULTED IN A HAZARD FOR MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVER...
Mileage: 45,000
MY FIRST PROBLEMS I EXPERIENCE WITH THE 2011 CHEVY VOLT WAS AROUND OCTOBER, 2014. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I RECEIVED A "PROPULSION POWER REDUCED" INDICATION ON MY DASHBOARD AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC WHICH RESULTED IN A HAZARD FOR MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVER...
Mileage: 45,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HE DROVE OVER THE RUMBLE STRIPS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND THE POWER STEERING TO STOP WORKING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD...
Mileage: 31,000
THE CAR HAS PROCEEDED TO HAVE MULTIPLE ISSUES, WITH THE MOST PREDOMINANT AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE BEING AN AIRBAG FAILURE...TWICE. OTHER ISSUES: RADIO, DOOR LOCKS, AND PARK ASSIST ENGAGE/DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN. BRAKES NOT CATCHING CAUSING CAR TO ROLL. POWER FAILURE AND WON'T START. APRIL 2013, ...
Mileage: 28,606
THE CAR HAS PROCEEDED TO HAVE MULTIPLE ISSUES, WITH THE MOST PREDOMINANT AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE BEING AN AIRBAG FAILURE...TWICE. OTHER ISSUES: RADIO, DOOR LOCKS, AND PARK ASSIST ENGAGE/DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN. BRAKES NOT CATCHING CAUSING CAR TO ROLL. POWER FAILURE AND WON'T START. APRIL 2013, ...
Mileage: 28,606
THE CAR HAS PROCEEDED TO HAVE MULTIPLE ISSUES, WITH THE MOST PREDOMINANT AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE BEING AN AIRBAG FAILURE...TWICE. OTHER ISSUES: RADIO, DOOR LOCKS, AND PARK ASSIST ENGAGE/DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN. BRAKES NOT CATCHING CAUSING CAR TO ROLL. POWER FAILURE AND WON'T START. APRIL 2013, ...
Mileage: 28,606
AS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, WHEN RUNNING ON BATTERY, IT IS DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT RUNNING. UPON RETURNING HOME ONE DAY, I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND PLUGGED IT IN. I DIDN'T REALIZE AT THE TIME, THAT I HAD NOT TURNED OFF THE VOLT BY PRESSING THE BLUE POWER SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ...
Mileage: 29,648
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER...
Mileage: 32,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE FUEL MAX TIRES, SIZE 215-55-17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED DUE TO LOW TIRE P...
Mileage: 17,445
OUR VOLT WAS LEFT OVERNIGHT TO CHARGE USING THE SUPPLIED 120V LEVEL ONE CHARGE CORD THAT COMES WITH THE VEHICLE (THEREFORE I CONSIDER IT PART OF THE VEHICLE.) IN THE MORNING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHARGED -- AT SOME POINT DURING THE NIGHT THE CHARGE FAILED AFTER THE BATTERY ACCUMULATED JUST 5 MILES OF ...
Mileage: 8,482
THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I'M CONCERNED MAY IMPACT OTHER VOLTS. HERE'S THE BACKGROUND. ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE AT A VERY SLOW RATE AND GOT HALFWAY THROUGH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD 'CRUNCHING' SOUND. I GOT OUT WONDERING WHAT THE THE NOISE WAS AND SAW THAT TH...
Mileage: 12,000
THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I'M CONCERNED MAY IMPACT OTHER VOLTS. HERE'S THE BACKGROUND. ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, I WAS PULLING INTO MY GARAGE AT A VERY SLOW RATE AND GOT HALFWAY THROUGH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD 'CRUNCHING' SOUND. I GOT OUT WONDERING WHAT THE THE NOISE WAS AND SAW THAT TH...
Mileage: 12,000
THE REAR END OF THIS CAR FEELS AS IF IT IS SLIPPING OUT WHEN YOU ENTER A CURVE AT 60 TO 65 MPH. GM CALLS IT SENSITIVE STEERING BUT I CALL IT SCARY AND UNSAFE. *TR
Mileage: 55
THE REAR END OF THIS CAR FEELS AS IF IT IS SLIPPING OUT WHEN YOU ENTER A CURVE AT 60 TO 65 MPH. GM CALLS IT SENSITIVE STEERING BUT I CALL IT SCARY AND UNSAFE. *TR
Mileage: 55