Reliable Auto DB

2012 Chevrolet Volt reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt over 15 years — 10 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Volt years here — over the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Ignition and Electronic stability control (ESC).

2012 Chevrolet Volt
Photo by SsmIntrigue, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

245

Per year

10

Recalls

2

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (86 of 245), then Electrical system (86) and Fuel and propulsion system (37). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Volt has 308 complaints, 11 per year. The 2012 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Chevrolet Volt. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall electrical system, ignition 2015-03-13 · NHTSA campaign 15V145000
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.
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.
Recall Electronic stability control (ESC) 2013-06-27 · NHTSA campaign 13V271000
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."
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.

Complaints by component (245 total)

Air bags
86
Electrical system
86
Fuel and propulsion system
37
Engine
26
Service brakes
23
Powertrain
22
Seats
14
Speed control
11
Steering
6
Structure
6
Exterior lighting
5
Electronic stability control (ESC)
4
Tires
4
Seat belts
3
Equipment
2
Wheels
2
Engine and engine cooling
1
Parking brake
1
Visibility
1
Show 11 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

8

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12011620128201315201415201516201621201731201840201933202022202114202292023820242202542026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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 screen. An…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-06-25
  • "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 dealership confirmed a…"
    Powertrain, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-06-04
  • "Car will randomly accelerate when not on gas pedal and/or a delay in brakes working. Has happened on more than one occasion."
    Speed control, Service brakes · filed 2026-03-13
  • "The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, and the lights inside and outside of the vehicle failed to illuminate. The vehicle was jump-started. The failure reoccurred…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-01-20
  • "Airbag sensor failure in seat."
    Air bags · filed 2025-09-12

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD(Early Release- field upgrade) 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2012 Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD(Early Release-no field upgrade) 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2012 Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD(Later Release) 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Volt 1.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (variable gear ratios) Front-wheel drive 35 40 37 MPG / 380 mi range $2150

Specs and fitment

First generation, 2012–2015
Body styles Hatchback
Oil dexos1 SAE 5W-30 (0W-30 recommended below −29 °C / −20 °F) , 3.7 qt capacity
Tire size 215/55R17

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 15V-145 covers certain 2011-2013 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. If the driver exits without turning off the electrical system, the battery may drain low enough that the gasoline engine starts on its own to recharge. If the engine runs for an extended period in an enclosed space, carbon monoxide may build up, increasing the risk of personal injury. Remedy: dealers update engine management software to limit how long a stationary vehicle can remain ON, free of charge. NHTSA safety recall 18V-397 covers certain 2013 Volt vehicles where an HPCM2 update may have disabled cell balancing and caused a low-voltage condition; if voltage drops, the vehicle may lose propulsion. Remedy: dealers reprogram the HPCM2 free of charge; GM's number for this recall is 18215.

Compare

Next year 2013 Chevrolet Volt See every Chevrolet Volt model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Volt reliable?

Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt over 15 years — 10 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Volt years here — over the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Ignition and Electronic stability control (ESC).

What are common problems with a 2012 Chevrolet Volt?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (86 of 245), then Electrical system (86) and Fuel and propulsion system (37). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Volt more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Volt has 308 complaints, 11 per year. The 2012 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2013.

Has the 2012 Chevrolet Volt been recalled?

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt?

Owners have filed 245 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Chevrolet Volt get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt is 37 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

How much oil does a Chevrolet Volt take?

First-generation US manuals list about 3.7 qt with filter (dexos1 5W-30). Second-generation manuals list about 4.2 qt with filter (5W-20).

What generation is the 2017 Chevrolet Volt?

Second generation (2016-2019).

What tire sizes does a Chevrolet Volt use?

First-gen US pages list 215/55R17; second-gen pages list 215/50R17.