2012 Chevrolet Volt Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 25 brake complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, 10% of that year's 245 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 62,000. GM issued recall 13V271000 for a brake pressure modulator valve problem on cars built March–April 2012.
- Brakes complaints
- 25
- 10% of 245
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 62,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Brake pedal is depressed but the vehicle fails to stop or responds only after a delay, sometimes during panic stops at low speeds.
- A whining or grinding noise from the regenerative brake bearing occurs during braking or coast-down, which some owners linked to a bearing cage failure.
- Parking brake engages on its own at a stop and can only be released by turning the vehicle off and restarting it.
- A delay between regenerative braking switching off and the friction brakes taking over causes reduced stopping performance when a wheel loses traction.
- Intermittent loss of brake response paired with a fractured transmission bracket that caused the transmission to detach.
When 2012 Chevrolet Volt brake complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 20, 2013, latest Mar 13, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt
- NHTSA 13V271000Jun 27, 2013Brakes4 vehicles
Service brakes
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."
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.
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.
Brakes complaints by Volt model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have?
- NHTSA lists 25 brake-related complaints for the 2012 Volt, which is 10% of the 245 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
- Yes. Recall 13V271000, reported June 27, 2013, covers a brake pressure modulator valve problem on 2012 Volts built between March 1 and April 17, 2012. GM's remedy is installing a new brake pressure modulator valve free of charge.
- At what mileage do brake problems usually show up on the 2012 Volt?
- NHTSA data shows a median failure mileage of 62,000 for brake complaints on the 2012 Volt.
- Did the 2012 Volt brake issues cause any crashes?
- NHTSA records 2 crashes tied to brake-area complaints for the 2012 Volt, with no reported fires or injuries.