What is the best year for the Chevrolet Volt?

The 2011 and 2015 Volt are the best years, with complaint indexes of 13 and 0 and only 49 and 44 complaints reported, respectively.

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Volt reliable?

The 2017 Volt has the most reported problems of any Volt model year, with 698 complaints, a complaint index of 100, and 9 reported fires, mostly tied to the Electrical System.

Does the Chevrolet Volt have recalls related to fire risk?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns across Volt model years, including electrical-system recalls for 2011-2013 tied to battery drain and a fuel-system recall for 2013 involving cell balancing. The 2017 model year, which had the most fires (9), has no recalls listed.

Are 2016 and 2018 Chevrolet Volts safe to buy?

They are listed as Caution years, with complaint indexes of 50 and 63 respectively, in between the Avoid years (2012, 2013, 2017) and Best years (2011, 2015).

Chevrolet Volt Best and Worst Years (2011–2019)

Avoid the 2012, 2013, and 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The 2017 has the highest complaint index (100) with 698 complaints and 9 fires, while 2013 logged 308 complaints dominated by airbags. The 2011 and 2015 are the safest picks, with complaint indexes of 13 and 0.

Avoid 2012 Avoid 2013 Avoid 2017 Best 2011 Best 2015

Model years: 9; 2011–2019
NHTSA complaints: 1,862
Recall campaigns: 8
Crashes reported: 39
Fires reported: 16
Top problem area: Electrical System

Volt Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Chevrolet Volt problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2011	Best	13	49	2	0	1	Electrical System	37	5★
2012	Avoid	75	245	6	2	2	Electrical System	37	5★
2013	Avoid	88	308	8	2	3	Airbags	37	5★
2014	Good	38	93	5	1	0	Airbags	37	5★
2015	Best	0	44	1	1	1	Electrical System	37	5★
2016	Caution	50	169	2	1	1	Electrical System	42	—
2017	Avoid	100	698	8	9	0	Electrical System	42	5★
2018	Caution	63	222	4	0	2	Electrical System	42	5★
2019	Good	25	34	3	0	2	Transmission & Powertrain	42	5★

Volt years to avoid: what went wrong

2017 Chevrolet Volt Index 100 · 698 complaints · 0 recalls

The 2017 Volt is the worst year on record, with 698 complaints and the maximum complaint index of 100. Electrical System problems made up 45% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 38,500 miles, and owners described the car failing to fully power down. Fuel System issues followed at 34% and Transmission & Powertrain at 31%. This year also recorded 9 fires, the highest fire count of any Volt year, along with 8 crashes and 11 injuries. No recalls have been issued for 2017.

2017 electrical system problems →2017 fuel system problems →2017 transmission & powertrain problems →

2013 Chevrolet Volt Index 88 · 308 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2013 Volt had 308 complaints and a complaint index of 88, the second worst year overall. Airbags were the top problem area at 52% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 76,000 miles. Owners also reported Electrical System and Fuel System issues, including sudden deceleration and stalling. Three recalls apply to this year, covering airbag inflators, a fuel-system software issue affecting cell balancing, and the same stationary-vehicle electrical drain recall shared with 2012. The year saw 8 crashes and 9 injuries.

2013 airbags problems →2013 electrical system problems →2013 fuel system problems →

2012 Chevrolet Volt Index 75 · 245 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2012 Volt logged 245 complaints and a complaint index of 75, ranking third worst of all nine model years. Electrical System issues led at 36% of complaints, with owners reporting the car staying electrically active after the driver exited, draining the battery. Airbags followed close behind at 35%, with a median failure mileage around 98,000 miles for that category. NHTSA lists two recalls, including a brake pressure modulator valve defect. The year also recorded 6 crashes, 2 fires, and 11 injuries, the highest injury count among the avoid years.

2012 electrical system problems →2012 airbags problems →2012 engine problems →

Most common Chevrolet Volt problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Electrical System706 (38%)
Fuel System508 (27%)
Engine433 (23%)
Transmission & Powertrain429 (23%)
Airbags310 (17%)
Other230 (12%)
Brakes115 (6%)
Structure & Body78 (4%)
Steering44 (2%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires25 (1%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Chevrolet Volt should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2012, 2013, and 2017 Chevrolet Volt. The 2017 has the highest complaint index (100) with 698 complaints and 9 fires, and 2013 has a complaint index of 88 with 308 complaints, mostly airbags.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Volt?: The 2011 and 2015 Volt are the best years, with complaint indexes of 13 and 0 and only 49 and 44 complaints reported, respectively.
Is the 2017 Chevrolet Volt reliable?: The 2017 Volt has the most reported problems of any Volt model year, with 698 complaints, a complaint index of 100, and 9 reported fires, mostly tied to the Electrical System.
Does the Chevrolet Volt have recalls related to fire risk?: NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns across Volt model years, including electrical-system recalls for 2011-2013 tied to battery drain and a fuel-system recall for 2013 involving cell balancing. The 2017 model year, which had the most fires (9), has no recalls listed.
Are 2016 and 2018 Chevrolet Volts safe to buy?: They are listed as Caution years, with complaint indexes of 50 and 63 respectively, in between the Avoid years (2012, 2013, 2017) and Best years (2011, 2015).