Is the 2018 Chevrolet Volt a bad year?
228 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 85, 8.5× a quiet Volt year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 15k–31k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 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 23,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 85 (37%) | 15k–31k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 77 (34%) | 8k–45k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 90 (39%) | 26k–59k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 51 (22%) | 12k–71k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 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 23,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 228 complaints: 4 mention a crash · 1 reports an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
27 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When I try to turn the car off, it says I must shift to park, even though the car is already in park. As a result, I can't turn the car off and I can't leave it because there is no way to lock the doors when in this state.
Car sends notification to "Shift to park" When shifter is in the park position and gear selection indicator display indicates "P".
When attempting to power off vehicle after shifting to park, an error message is displayed on console, "Shift to park", and the vehicle will not power off.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 23,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Volt: 2
Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance. A reduction of braking performance can increase 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: 311
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Chevrolet Volt. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak
Correct a customer concern of seeing an intermittent Shift to Park message displayed while vehicle is in Park
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
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Pedestrian alert sounds
Neighbouring years
2017 Volt: 702 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2019 Volt: 35 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Volt year
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Questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Volt a bad year?
228 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 85, 8.5× a quiet Volt year. At 23,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 15k–31k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Volt?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (85), fuel system (77), electrical system (90), engine (51), brakes (9). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 15k–31k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Volt have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Seat belts (NHTSA 18V-673), Brakes (NHTSA 18V-576). 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.