Reliable Auto DB

2013 Chevrolet Volt reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Chevrolet Volt holds 308 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 11 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 3 recalls on file, including Inflator, Hybrid propulsion, and Ignition.

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

308

Per year

11

Recalls

3

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (161 of 308), then Electrical system (63) and Fuel and propulsion system (53). Those filings include 8 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Volt has 245 complaints, 10 per year, and the 2014 has 93 complaints, 5 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

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 2013 Chevrolet Volt. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2023-07-27 · NHTSA campaign 23V516000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall hybrid propulsion 2018-06-14 · NHTSA campaign 18V397000
Summary 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.
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.
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.

Complaints by component (308 total)

Air bags
161
Electrical system
63
Fuel and propulsion system
53
Engine
37
Seats
31
Powertrain
24
Service brakes
19
Speed control
6
Structure
6
Tires
6
Steering
5
Hybrid propulsion
4
Seat belts
4
Visibility and wipers
3
Wheels
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Equipment
1
Exterior lighting
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Parking brake
1
Suspension
1
Visibility
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

8

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

7

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

220127201317201472015920161220173720187120195120203520212220221420231320248202532026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Fully charged. Goes from electric to generator/gas propulsion and abruptly slowes about 1/2 speed. Very dangerous."
    Electrical system, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-04-30
  • "The passenger presence sensor is failing or failed because every time someone sit in there the airbag turns on and off repeatedly every 2-3 mins and gives a service airbag warning and if no one is sitting in the…"
    Electrical system, Air bags, Seats · filed 2026-02-26
  • "I received the "Propulsion Power is Reduced" Alert engine light while driving in "Normal" mode on the freeway at around 60mph with 8-9 miles of Battery capacity, it showed 0 miles of Battery forcing the Gas Engine on…"
    Electrical system, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-02-04
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The Check Engine warning light was flashing, and the messages "No Propulsion Power" and "No…"
    Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system · filed 2025-12-16
  • "The passenger occupancy sensor gives a false positive. The only way I can get rid of the beeping is plug in the seatbelt. I have read on Reddit forums that this is a very common problem with 2013 volts, but for some…"
    Air bags · filed 2025-10-25

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD 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

Previous year 2012 Chevrolet Volt Next year 2014 Chevrolet Volt See every Chevrolet Volt model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Volt reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Chevrolet Volt holds 308 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 11 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 3 recalls on file, including Inflator, Hybrid propulsion, and Ignition.

What are common problems with a 2013 Chevrolet Volt?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (161 of 308), then Electrical system (63) and Fuel and propulsion system (53). Those filings include 8 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Volt more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Volt has 245 complaints, 10 per year, and the 2014 has 93 complaints, 5 per year. The 2013 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Chevrolet Volt been recalled?

The 2013 Chevrolet Volt has 3 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 2013 Chevrolet Volt?

Owners have filed 308 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Volt with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Chevrolet Volt get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 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.