How common are airbag complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt?

NHTSA lists 161 airbag complaints for the 2013 Volt, which is 52% of all 308 complaints filed for that model year, the highest share among Volt model years listed.

Is there a recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt airbags?

Yes. Recall 23V516000, reported in 2023, covers a driver-side airbag inflator that may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect. GM's remedy is dealer replacement of the driver-side airbag module, free of charge.

At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2013 Volt?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 76,000 miles for airbag-related complaints on the 2013 Volt.

Did the 2013 Volt's airbag issues cause any injuries or crashes?

NHTSA records show 1 crash and 1 injury associated with airbag complaints for the 2013 Volt, with 0 fires reported.

2013 Chevrolet Volt Airbags Problems

NHTSA lists 161 airbag complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt, 52% of all complaints for the year, the highest share of any Volt model year. A related recall (23V516000) covers a driver-side airbag inflator defect, and median mileage at failure was 76,000.

Airbags complaints: 161; 52% of 308
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 76,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

Passenger presence module fails, triggering a service airbag warning light and disabling passenger airbag deployment.
Airbag sensor mat under the passenger seat loses connection or shorts, often traced to wiring issues under the seat.
Seat belt warning light and airbag arming trigger unexpectedly, sometimes activated by placing an object like a phone on the passenger seat.
Service airbag light comes on intermittently after sudden braking, cornering, or when weight shifts on the passenger seat, and dealers often cannot reproduce the fault.
In one case involving a crash, the passenger airbag reportedly failed to deploy while the driver airbag did, resulting in injury.

When 2013 Chevrolet Volt airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 15, 2014, latest Feb 26, 2026.

161 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q2 to 2026 Q1; peak 2019 Q3 (23).

Airbags recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt

NHTSA 23V516000Jul 27, 2023Airbags767 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.

Airbags complaints by Volt model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20118 (16%)
201286 (35%)
2013161 (52%)
201432 (34%)
20157 (16%)
20162 (1%)
201712 (2%)
20182 (1%)
20190 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are airbag complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt?: NHTSA lists 161 airbag complaints for the 2013 Volt, which is 52% of all 308 complaints filed for that model year, the highest share among Volt model years listed.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt airbags?: Yes. Recall 23V516000, reported in 2023, covers a driver-side airbag inflator that may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect. GM's remedy is dealer replacement of the driver-side airbag module, free of charge.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2013 Volt?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 76,000 miles for airbag-related complaints on the 2013 Volt.
Did the 2013 Volt's airbag issues cause any injuries or crashes?: NHTSA records show 1 crash and 1 injury associated with airbag complaints for the 2013 Volt, with 0 fires reported.