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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
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 stability control (ESC), or traction control event. One or both front brakes may lock up and not release. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems"' and No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Safety 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.
Manufacturer remedy
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 1-866-694-6546. GM's recall number is 13184.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Air bags
86
98,000 mi
Electrical system
79
74,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
38
77,000 mi
Engine
26
57,000 mi
Service brakes
24
62,000 mi
Power train
23
55,000 mi
Unknown or other
18
50,000 mi
Seats
15
93,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
12
86,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
7
70,000 mi
Steering
6
10,000 mi
Exterior lighting
5
52,700 mi
Structure: body
5
21,847 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)
4
80,000 mi
Tires
4
16,384 mi
Seat belts
3
26,000 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
2
—
Equipment: electrical
2
—
Wheels
2
27,300 mi
Air bags: SRS malfunction warning lamp/light
1
—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery
1
100,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch
1
5,640 mi
Electrical system: propulsion system
1
149,627 mi
Engine and engine cooling
1
83 mi
Parking brake
1
22,292 mi
Structure
1
18,000 mi
Visibility
1
14 mi
The 2011 model has 6 times as many complaints as this one. The 2013 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.