YearToAvoid

2013 Chevrolet Volt Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 57 Fuel System complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt, 19% of all 308 complaints that year. A related recall (18V397000) addresses a low-voltage condition tied to the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2, though it is not classified as a fuel system defect itself.

Fuel System complaints
57
19% of 308
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
63,500 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle suddenly decelerates or loses propulsion on the highway with a "propulsion power reduced" or "engine not available" message on the dash.
  • Gas engine shuts off unexpectedly and the car enters a service mode, cutting both the electric motor and gas engine.
  • Owners report smoke and a fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle accompanying a power-loss event at highway speed.
  • Drivers describe the car stalling or decelerating in traffic, in one case leading to a rear-end crash.
  • Some owners report the vehicle has to be towed to a dealer after repeated reduced-power incidents, with one owner noting a backorder on repair batteries.
  • One complaint describes a gradual loss of acceleration power over time in both electric and hybrid modes.

When 2013 Chevrolet Volt fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 19, 2013, latest Apr 30, 2026.

2013 Chevrolet Volt fuel system complaints: complaints filed per quarter42013 Q22015 Q32019 Q12020 Q22021 Q42024 Q12025 Q3
57 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2018 Q3 (4).

Fuel System recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt

  1. NHTSA 18V397000Jun 14, 2018Fuel System4,606 vehicles

    Hybrid propulsion system

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. An update to the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2 (HPCM2) may have disabled the cell balancing function causing a low-voltage condition.

    Risk: If the voltage drops, the vehicle may lose propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the HPCM2, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18215.

Fuel System complaints by Volt model year

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

  1. 20117 (14%)
  2. 201237 (15%)
  3. 201357 (19%)
  4. 201420 (22%)
  5. 201511 (25%)
  6. 201664 (38%)
  7. 2017238 (34%)
  8. 201872 (32%)
  9. 20192 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are fuel system complaints on the 2013 Chevrolet Volt?
NHTSA records 57 Fuel System complaints for the 2013 Volt, which is 19% of the 308 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a fuel system recall for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt?
Yes, recall 18V397000 covers the 2013 Volt for an HPCM2 software issue that could disable cell balancing and cause a low-voltage condition; GM reprograms the module free of charge.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for fuel system complaints on the 2013 Volt is 63,500 miles.
Do these fuel system issues involve crashes or fires?
NHTSA data for this area lists 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries among the 57 fuel system complaints on the 2013 Volt.
How does the 2013 Volt compare to other model years for fuel system complaints?
The 2013 Volt's 19% share is lower than the 2016 (38%), 2017 (34%), and 2018 (32%) model years, but higher than 2011 (14%) and 2012 (15%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.