Chevrolet Volt: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
1,872 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Volt, model years 2011 to 2019. 3 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2017 (transmission 22×); 2018 (transmission 8.5×); 2016 (engine 4.8×, transmission 5.1×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2019, 2015, 2011. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 VoltFEW REPORTS | 49 | quiet: 3 of 9 | 1 | |
| 2012 Volt | 245 | — | 2 | |
| 2013 Volt | 306 | — | 3 | |
| 2014 VoltFEW REPORTS | 93 | — | 0 | |
| 2015 VoltFEW REPORTS | 44 | quiet: 2 of 9 | 1 | |
| 2016 Volt | 170 | engine 4.8×, transmission 5.1× | 1 | |
| 2017 Volt | 702 | transmission 22× | 0 | |
| 2018 Volt | 228 | transmission 8.5× | 2 | |
| 2019 VoltFEW REPORTS | 35 | quiet: 1 of 9 | 2 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Chevrolet models
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Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 20122013201620172018