VehicleVerdict

2013 Chevrolet Volt problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 448 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median Volt year — the 2013 model ranks #2 of 9 Volt years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 161 reports (36% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

448

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

18

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Volt years?

Volt NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted1,192 complaints2011: 64 complaints2012: 359 complaints2013: 448 complaints2014: 128 complaints2015: 70 complaints2016: 285 complaints2017: 1,192 complaints2018: 347 complaints2019: 48 complaints
Volt NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Volt years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Volt problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags16136%
Electrical System6515%
Fuel System5713%
Engine388%
Seats317%
Transmission245%
Brakes204%
Other153%
Tires & Wheels82%
Speed Control61%
Body & Structure61%
Steering51%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Seat Belts41%
Suspension10%
Lighting10%
Driver Assistance10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Volt have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V516000AirbagsJuly 27, 2023 · 767 units

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.

18V397000Fuel SystemJune 14, 2018 · 4,606 units

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.

15V145000Electrical SystemMarch 13, 2015 · 50,236 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY CAR HAS ABOUT 76K MILES ON IT AND SUDDENLY GIVES A WARNING ABOUT "SERVICE AIRBAG" ON 4/4/2021. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A WRECK, SPED OVER POTHOLES, OR HAVE ANY DAMAGE TO MY CAR SO I AM UNSURE WHY THIS LIGHT HAS BEEN ACTIVATED (I RECEIVED THIS WARNING PRIOR TO LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY THAT AFTERNOON). IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 4, 2021

“WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THIS CHEVY VOLT'S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CRASHED CAUSING ME TO CRASH RIGHT ALONG WITH IT. NO BRAKES (ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAIL)NO STEERING OR HORN EVEN WORSE...NO AIR BAGS.... RESULTS: MULTI-CAR COLLISION WITH NO FATALITIES BUT, SEVERAL INJURYS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 23, 2018 · crash

“WHILE ENTERING IN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO DECELERATE REGARDLESS THE FACT THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR DECELERATED AND THEN STALLED. THE CAR HAS BEEN REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND IT WAS A VEHICLE FAILURE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 16, 2015 · crash

“WHILE ENTERING IN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO DECELERATE REGARDLESS THE FACT THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUSHED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR DECELERATED AND THEN STALLED. THE CAR HAS BEEN REAR ENDED BY THE CAR BEHIND. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND IT WAS A VEHICLE FAILURE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 16, 2015 · crash

“SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING DURING OR SHORTLY AFTER SOMEONE SITS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ALSO SEE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES "OFF" FOR EXTENDED PERIOD. DEALER STATES IT IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE PAST YEAR. BELIEVE THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, AND ALSO A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 19, 2018

2013 Chevrolet Volt — common questions

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Volt reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 448 complaints put the 2013 model at #2 of 9 Volt years. It is one of the Volt years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Volt problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (161 complaints), electrical system (65 complaints), fuel system (57 complaints).

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Volt have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Chevrolet Volt. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Chevrolet Volt under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Volt years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Volt years to avoid are 2017, 2013. The cleanest record among Volt years belongs to 2019.

How safe is the 2013 Chevrolet Volt?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Chevrolet Volt earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.