Is the 2012 Chevrolet Volt a bad year?
245 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Volt years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt are in line with other Volt years. Air bags and electrical system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 Volt owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 98,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 86 (35%) | 85k–120k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 86 (35%) | 46k–110k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 37 (15%) | 55k–101k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 27 (11%) | 14k–96k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 23 (9%) | 10k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 22 (9%) | 21k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 14 (6%) | 55k–93k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 11 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 98,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 245 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Volt loses power when switching from battery to gas. Has now occurred four times. Each time volt is traveling on highway 65+mph.
I was driving the car normally in electric mode, and parked it with one mile remaining of electricity. Upon restarting the car a few minutes later, the gasoline engine came on and was revving at a very high rate.
While I was driving home my car would surge then lose power. I pressed the onstar button and a vehicle test was conducted.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 98,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt: 2
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. 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.
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. If the brakes lock up it could cause a loss of steering control and/or a lengthened distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 519
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 Chevrolet Volt. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Pedestrian alert sounds
Passenger Sensing System
Post-Crash EV Fire Hazard
Neighbouring years
2011 Volt: 49 complaints, keep it · 2013 Volt: 306 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Volt year
2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All Volt years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Volt a bad year?
245 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Volt years. At 98,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (86), electrical system (86), fuel system (37), engine (27), brakes (23).
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 15V-145), Brakes (NHTSA 13V-271). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.