Owners have filed 71 complaints
about the 2015 Chevrolet Volt with NHTSA between 2014 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Volt. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 22
4.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 80
47% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
720.6%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
38.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
411.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
38.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1029.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
411.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
38.8%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Side pole crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2015 Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD
9.3% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2014peak 9Aug 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 Chevrolet Volt
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
Recalls on the 2015 Chevrolet Volt
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
15V442000
STEERING
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.
Risk: Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 17,800 milesTorrance, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
ON MAY 13TH, APPROX. 11:10AM, CLEAR AND SUNNY 75F REDONDO BEACH, CA. I ENTERED THE VOLT TO BACK OUT DOWN A DOWNWARD SLOPING DRIVEWAY. I POWERED MY VOLT UP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PROCEEDED TO SHIFT THE VOLT IN 'R'. AS SOON AS I RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL I STARTED TO MOVE DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND PICKING UP SPEED. I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL,WHICH FELT MUSHY. AND MY VOLT CONTINUED PICKING UP SPEED AND WOULD NOT STOP. I CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, WHICH FELT VERY MUSHY, AND THE VOLT CONTINUED AND CROSSED THE STREET AND IMPACTED THE RESIDENCE DIRECTLY ACROSS TO FINALLY STOP MY VOLT. THE BRAKES FELT EXTREMELY MUSHY EXTENDING ABOUT TO THE FLOOR BUT NOT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, I WAS IN BATTERY MODE BUT THE ENGINE WAS ENGAGED AND RUNNING AT HIGH RPM AND HEARD BY ME AND A PASSERBY WHILE THE VOLT WAS MOVING. I CALLED AAA TO PULL ME OUT. I WAS STUCK ON THE TREE AND FRONT STEPS. I CALLED IN THE INCIDENT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY SO I COULD START THE CLAIM AND HAVE A CLAIM #. POLICE ARRIVED 40 MINUTES LATER TO TAKE A REPORT AND GIVE ME A FIELD SOBRIETY TEST. THAT WAS A LITTLE EMBARRASSING BUT GLAD IT WAS DONE. NOW IT'S DOCUMENTED THAT I WAS TOTALLY SOBER. I'VE READ 1-OR 2 THREADS REGARDING NON-OPERATING MUSHY BRAKES BUT NOTHING ABOUT A VOLT IN R COMING DOWN A SLOPE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. I CALLED ON-STAR TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A LOG OF CODES GENERATED FROM MY VOLT WITHIN THE LAST 24 HRS AND WAS TOLD NO. I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I DID NOT HIT ANOTHER PERSON, ANIMAL OR VEHICLE WHILE NOT BEING IN CONTROL OF A FAST MOVING VOLT CROSSING SIDEWALKS AND A RESIDENTIAL STREET. I HAVE CONTACTED GM ALLEGATIONS AND HAVE A CLAIM #. I AM SUPPOSEDLY TO RECEIVE A CALL BY MONDAY THE 19 TO DISCUSS NEXT STEPS. ANOTHER THING THE 2015 DOES NOT HAVE A EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT A PARKING BRAKE WHICH WILL NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #10990473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200 milesYpsilanti, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I LEASED A 2015 CHEVY VOLT, I USED THE SUPPLIED CHARGING STATION TO CHARGE THE VEHICLE. THIS DEVICE OVERHEATED EARLIER IN THE DAY, I DECIDED TO UNPLUG IT AND TRY ANOTHER OUTLET. I CHECKED ON IT 20 MINUTES LATER AND DISCOVERED IT WAS STILL WARM. I THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL, CONSIDERING IT WAS CHARGING A CAR. I PLUGGED IT IN LATER IN THE EVENING. THIS CHARGER SUPPLIED BY CHEVY THEN CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING PLUGGED IN FOR ABOUT 2-3 HOURS, AND THAT FIRE SPREAD TO OUR GARAGE. THIS FIRE STARTED FROM THE CHARGER ITSELF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO OUR BELONGINGS AND COULD HAVE DESTROYED OUR ENTIRE HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10667576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Grants, NM
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The vehicle experienced a catastrophic charging system failure. When connected to the wall charger, the charge port becomes hot to the touch within seconds. The charger connector has now cracked from heat stress, and the wall charger itself previously melted due to electrical backfeed from the vehicle. The vehicle refuses to charge at all. This appears to be a thermal event and fire-risk safety defect involving the onboard charger, wiring harness, or battery management system. Insurance refused coverage due to the nature of the electrical failure. The vehicle is unsafe to charge or operate.
NHTSA complaint #11757523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ojai, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
A "service brakes" warning came up when I was parked in a parking lot and immediately afterwards the brakes stopped working when I was reversing in the parking lot and I almost backed up into another car. I had my car towed to Paradise Chevrolet and they diagnosed the problem as a faulty "brake pressure modulator valve" (BPMV) that needs to be replaced. I saw that there is a recall for the 2012 Chevy Volt for the same issue, faulty BPMV.
NHTSA complaint #11706598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naples, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2015 Chevy Volt has been experiencing ongoing mechanical and electrical issues, including random power loss, reduced propulsion warnings, and sudden vehicle shutdowns with no prior indication. These problems pose a serious safety concern, as the car can lose power unexpectedly while driving. Despite these issues, GM has refused to service the vehicle or unlock necessary components because they no longer manufacture or support the required parts. As a result, I am left with an unsafe and unreliable vehicle with no available remedy from the manufacturer. This is forcing me to trade in the vehicle at a loss
NHTSA complaint #11699358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naples, FL
ENGINE
My 2015 Chevy Volt has been experiencing ongoing mechanical and electrical issues, including random power loss, reduced propulsion warnings, and sudden vehicle shutdowns with no prior indication. These problems pose a serious safety concern, as the car can lose power unexpectedly while driving. Despite these issues, GM has refused to service the vehicle or unlock necessary components because they no longer manufacture or support the required parts. As a result, I am left with an unsafe and unreliable vehicle with no available remedy from the manufacturer. This is forcing me to trade in the vehicle at a loss
NHTSA complaint #11699358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naples, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2015 Chevy Volt has been experiencing ongoing mechanical and electrical issues, including random power loss, reduced propulsion warnings, and sudden vehicle shutdowns with no prior indication. These problems pose a serious safety concern, as the car can lose power unexpectedly while driving. Despite these issues, GM has refused to service the vehicle or unlock necessary components because they no longer manufacture or support the required parts. As a result, I am left with an unsafe and unreliable vehicle with no available remedy from the manufacturer. This is forcing me to trade in the vehicle at a loss
NHTSA complaint #11699358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarence, NY
TIRES
On all (4) tires, there is cracking in the sidewalls in a line about 2 inches above the tire bead around each tire. Approximately 19K miles on these tires. Manufacture and supplier/seller (Priority Tire) both sent multiple photos of issue, tread depth, etc. and then denied any warranty on the tires due to 'Improper Usage' (reply below) I asked the supplier/seller and the manufacture what that means and no reply. Tires are consistently rotated by myself and tire pressures consistently maintained. I am [XXX] and don't race or off road my Volt. This could be a potential safety issue if one or more tires were to fail unexpectedly. Please see photos and thank you for your help. Hello, We are reaching out regarding your warranty request. Unfortunately, the manufacturer/supplier declined your warranty request, as they inspected the issue, and determined that the cause of damage on your tire is improper usage. We are sorry that we could not help you any further. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thank you for your understanding, and once again, apologies for the inconvenience. Dave B Customer Service Representative INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11686619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stafford, VA
AIR BAGS
Service airbag alert popped up
NHTSA complaint #11650069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naperville, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car has not been able to charge since April of last year. I have taken it to the dealer to diagnose but they want to charge $200 per hour to diagnose. They already suggested that the charge receptacle should be replaced. I purchased the part and replaced it myself. I have tried asking if it could be the BECM like with other model years and they said they could only determine that after testing and replacing parts. The P1EE6 error code suggests that the BECM might need to be replaced and/or reprogrammed. There have been several times that I have experienced a loss of propulsion error while driving. I know there is a safety bulletin for the 2016-2019 models year that I think should apply to other model years.
NHTSA complaint #11635881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naperville, IL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The car has not been able to charge since April of last year. I have taken it to the dealer to diagnose but they want to charge $200 per hour to diagnose. They already suggested that the charge receptacle should be replaced. I purchased the part and replaced it myself. I have tried asking if it could be the BECM like with other model years and they said they could only determine that after testing and replacing parts. The P1EE6 error code suggests that the BECM might need to be replaced and/or reprogrammed. There have been several times that I have experienced a loss of propulsion error while driving. I know there is a safety bulletin for the 2016-2019 models year that I think should apply to other model years.
NHTSA complaint #11635881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cerritos, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I will be driving on the road and randomly my vehicle will give me a loss of propulsion warning. This has happened many times on the highway where I’ve lost acceleration power quickly and have almost been involved in a futile accident as a result. My vehicle also randomly switches from electric to gas sometimes causing my car to jolt
NHTSA complaint #11572007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cerritos, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I will be driving on the road and randomly my vehicle will give me a loss of propulsion warning. This has happened many times on the highway where I’ve lost acceleration power quickly and have almost been involved in a futile accident as a result. My vehicle also randomly switches from electric to gas sometimes causing my car to jolt
NHTSA complaint #11572007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulare, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This car is connected to Bouncie a device that detects when a car turns on and off, the speed, if break or acceletor are stepped on forcefully and any trips. Recently the device is detecting the engine is turned off but the car is showing no signs of struggling and its in full motion. This is new, I've tested the device in another car for two weeks hoping it was the device but I had no issues on the other vehicle. The images is just one of several occasions. The image shows green dot where car starts and red where car is turned off. However, I never turned off my car at the Demaree Rd that day. I feel like the car is losing power and starts back up while in motion.
NHTSA complaint #11559603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulare, CA
ENGINE
This car is connected to Bouncie a device that detects when a car turns on and off, the speed, if break or acceletor are stepped on forcefully and any trips. Recently the device is detecting the engine is turned off but the car is showing no signs of struggling and its in full motion. This is new, I've tested the device in another car for two weeks hoping it was the device but I had no issues on the other vehicle. The images is just one of several occasions. The image shows green dot where car starts and red where car is turned off. However, I never turned off my car at the Demaree Rd that day. I feel like the car is losing power and starts back up while in motion.
NHTSA complaint #11559603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tulare, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This car is connected to Bouncie a device that detects when a car turns on and off, the speed, if break or acceletor are stepped on forcefully and any trips. Recently the device is detecting the engine is turned off but the car is showing no signs of struggling and its in full motion. This is new, I've tested the device in another car for two weeks hoping it was the device but I had no issues on the other vehicle. The images is just one of several occasions. The image shows green dot where car starts and red where car is turned off. However, I never turned off my car at the Demaree Rd that day. I feel like the car is losing power and starts back up while in motion.
NHTSA complaint #11559603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving on a road at roughly 50 mph when suddenly without warming, the screen and everything shut off and went black in the vehicle, and then immediately turned back on, this time with the engine light on. In the following seconds, the gas pedal completely stopped responding, and I had to coast to a stop at the side of the road. It was a dangerous spot on the road to have this happen. I was able to power the vehicle off, and then back on again, and the vehicle functioned normally immediately afterwards, with no engine light on.
NHTSA complaint #11559325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OR
ENGINE
I was driving on a road at roughly 50 mph when suddenly without warming, the screen and everything shut off and went black in the vehicle, and then immediately turned back on, this time with the engine light on. In the following seconds, the gas pedal completely stopped responding, and I had to coast to a stop at the side of the road. It was a dangerous spot on the road to have this happen. I was able to power the vehicle off, and then back on again, and the vehicle functioned normally immediately afterwards, with no engine light on.
NHTSA complaint #11559325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was driving on a road at roughly 50 mph when suddenly without warming, the screen and everything shut off and went black in the vehicle, and then immediately turned back on, this time with the engine light on. In the following seconds, the gas pedal completely stopped responding, and I had to coast to a stop at the side of the road. It was a dangerous spot on the road to have this happen. I was able to power the vehicle off, and then back on again, and the vehicle functioned normally immediately afterwards, with no engine light on.
NHTSA complaint #11559325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Car experienced sudden loss of power while driving. Warning appeared 'Propulsion Power Reduced.' Was able to continue driving short distance home and parked. Attempted to recharge battery but it would not accept charge. I was able to restart car again with "Propulsion Power Reduced' and drove to dealer. Diagnosis: Body Control Module (BCM) failed. Unit was replaced. Vehicle drove normally for short period and issue repeated within one day. Returned to dealer. Issue resolved after second attempt.
NHTSA complaint #11558541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car experienced sudden loss of power while driving. Warning appeared 'Propulsion Power Reduced.' Was able to continue driving short distance home and parked. Attempted to recharge battery but it would not accept charge. I was able to restart car again with "Propulsion Power Reduced' and drove to dealer. Diagnosis: Body Control Module (BCM) failed. Unit was replaced. Vehicle drove normally for short period and issue repeated within one day. Returned to dealer. Issue resolved after second attempt.
NHTSA complaint #11558541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car experienced sudden loss of power while driving. Warning appeared 'Propulsion Power Reduced.' Was able to continue driving short distance home and parked. Attempted to recharge battery but it would not accept charge. I was able to restart car again with "Propulsion Power Reduced' and drove to dealer. Diagnosis: Body Control Module (BCM) failed. Unit was replaced. Vehicle drove normally for short period and issue repeated within one day. Returned to dealer. Issue resolved after second attempt.
NHTSA complaint #11558541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kanata, MT
SEATS
The passenger presence sensor in the front passenger seat is malfunctioning and spare parts to replace it are not available from the manufacturer. The Chevrolet dealership has inspected and verified this issue, and the system is available for inspection upon request. This is the same issue that NHTSA investigated in the 2013 model described below. This sensor failure results in a check airbag signal and prevents the deployment of the passenger frontal and knee air bags, posing risk of serious injury to passengers. The PSS may develop a malfunction due to bunching of the sensor mat in the seat trench. The bunching of the sensor mat could cause the mat to repeatedly fold in the same location. Over time, the repeated folding can cause an increased resistance in the sensor mat. An increased resistance in the PSS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the air bag system diagnostic. If this fault is detected, a diagnostic trouble code will be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag MIL will illuminate. Further, if the fault is detected, the passenger frontal and knee air bags will be suppressed in a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment regardless of the nature of size of the occupant of the front passenger seat.
NHTSA complaint #11501176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kanata, MT
AIR BAGS
The passenger presence sensor in the front passenger seat is malfunctioning and spare parts to replace it are not available from the manufacturer. The Chevrolet dealership has inspected and verified this issue, and the system is available for inspection upon request. This is the same issue that NHTSA investigated in the 2013 model described below. This sensor failure results in a check airbag signal and prevents the deployment of the passenger frontal and knee air bags, posing risk of serious injury to passengers. The PSS may develop a malfunction due to bunching of the sensor mat in the seat trench. The bunching of the sensor mat could cause the mat to repeatedly fold in the same location. Over time, the repeated folding can cause an increased resistance in the sensor mat. An increased resistance in the PSS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the air bag system diagnostic. If this fault is detected, a diagnostic trouble code will be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag MIL will illuminate. Further, if the fault is detected, the passenger frontal and knee air bags will be suppressed in a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment regardless of the nature of size of the occupant of the front passenger seat.
NHTSA complaint #11501176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
SEATS
The service airbag request keeps showing up and I was told it was the Passenger presence module and sensor. This puts people at risk of the airbag not deploying correctly.
NHTSA complaint #11490967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
AIR BAGS
The service airbag request keeps showing up and I was told it was the Passenger presence module and sensor. This puts people at risk of the airbag not deploying correctly.
NHTSA complaint #11490967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corona, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Driving 75mph with cruise control during moderate traffic on freeway about 30 minutes after starting the car, my Volt shut off. There was a jolt of the car that felt like strong breaking and my dash along with everything electrical shut off for about 2 seconds then kicked back on with "Service Theft Deterent" on dash. I could not break or steer the vehicle. I had to come to a rolling stop on shoulder of freeway. Luckily I was in toll lane #1 next to the shoulder or I might have been in a wreck with other cars. I have a check engine light on now and a scheduled appointment at Chevy dealer made prior to today for tomorrow. I have had an issue with my Volt not charging at home/work for a few weeks. No breakers pop, the vehicle just wont complete the charge. The battery was replaced a week ago, driven over 250 miles with new battery, and it is still not charging properly. I have no messages on my vehicle regarding battery, engine, etc. Just the check engine light lit up.
NHTSA complaint #11476518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
