Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 64 | 26% |
| Electrical system | 43 | 18% |
| Service brakes | 12 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 4% |
| Air bags | 8 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 3% |
| Engine | 6 | 2% |
| Power train | 6 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and occupied, the contact attempted to start the vehicle; however, the instrument panel displayed a blank screen. An independen
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Message on dash "Service High Voltage charging system" . Code cleared by inexperienced mechanic. Stalled on the side of the road with "Engine not available" , "Low propulsion" . My local Chevy dealership confirmed a high
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Car will randomly accelerate when not on gas pedal and/or a delay in brakes working. Has happened on more than one occasion.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start, and the lights inside and outside of the vehicle failed to illuminate. The vehicle was jump-started. The failure reoccurred whi
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
passenger presence detection system is malfunctioning, and causing a "service airbag" warning. This is a huge safety issue that could be detrimental or deathly in the event of an accident. This is a common issue among ge
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Vehicle over-revs in cold weather. Engine runs excessively fast (4250 RPM) at highway speeds and around 3000 RPM when just sitting. Often times if I pull over and restart the car it will correct itself. This results in
NHTSA complaint: Engine
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 70MPH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE, ALONG WITH TH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
7/6/2024 Was driving 45 mph on a busy road (running only on the gas engine of this plug-in hybrid). Propulsion Power Reduced message showed near the speedometer. My speed was immediately decreased. The check engine light
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 rec
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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, 2
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through April 17, 2012. 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 s
Risk: 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.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will install a new brake pressure modulator valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 12, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-
| Reliability raw | 66 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 57 | average |
| Safety | 100 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 64 of them (26%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 66/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2012 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.