2018 Chevrolet Volt Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Chevrolet Volt has a complaint index of 63, ranking 4th worst out of 9 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System problems lead complaints (86, 39% share), with two recalls covering seat belts and brakes.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 63/100
- #4 of 9 Volt years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 222
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 42
- 43 city / 42 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2018 Chevy Volt problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System86 (39%)
- Transmission & Powertrain84 (38%)
- Fuel System72 (32%)
- Engine57 (26%)
- Other40 (18%)
- Brakes10 (5%)
- Steering5 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (2%)
- Airbags2 (1%)
- Structure & Body2 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly fail to hold on downhill stops in stop-and-go traffic, giving no resistance and leading to a collision.
- Some owners describe the car unexpectedly rolling forward or failing to stop while parking, with brakes not responding when applied.
- Drivers report sudden loss of power steering on the road, accompanied by a dashboard error message and difficulty steering.
- While driving at highway speed, the dashboard sometimes displays a 'shift to park' warning as the engine loses power, stranding the car in traffic.
- Owners note a burnt plastic smell from under the hood after the gas engine warms up, which the dealership called normal for the hybrid system.
- Front windows have been reported to fog up completely when the defrost is used in cold weather, cutting off visibility.
2018 Chevrolet Volt recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V673000Sep 26, 2018Seat Belts15,800 vehicles
Seat belts:rear/other
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.
- NHTSA 18V576000Aug 30, 2018Brakes210,628 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
2018 Chevrolet Volt fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 43 MPG
- Highway
- 42 MPG
- Combined
- 42 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular Gas or Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Volt years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Chevrolet Volt reliable?
- It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, with a complaint index of 63, ranking 4th worst among the 9 model years covered.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Volt?
- Electrical System issues make up 39% of complaints (86 cases), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 38% (84 cases) and Fuel System at 32% (72 cases).
- Does the 2018 Chevrolet Volt have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for rear seat belt retractors (campaign 18V673000) and one requiring dealers to bleed the brake system (campaign 18V576000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2018 Volt compare to other model years?
- The 2018 model's complaint index of 63 is worse than 2011 (13, Best), 2014 (38, Good), 2015 (0, Best), and 2019 (25, Good), but better than 2012 (75), 2013 (88), and 2017 (100), all rated Avoid.
- What mileage do 2018 Volt problems typically show up at?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: Electrical System issues appear around 33,300 miles, Fuel System around 30,432 miles, and Transmission & Powertrain around 23,200 miles.