CHEVROLET · vehicle model

CHEVROLET VOLT

2,895 NHTSA complaints and 8 safety recalls across model years 2011–2019.

Complaints
2,895
Recalls
8
Model years
9

The CHEVROLETVOLT appears in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database with 2,895 consumer safety complaints and 8 safety recalls across 9 model years (2011–2019). That averages roughly 322 complaints per model year, but the distribution is almost never even — most nameplates concentrate their defect reports in a handful of cohort years tied to specific platform refreshes, supplier changes, or component redesigns.

Complaint volume on a nameplate alone is not a reliability verdict: a long-running bestseller will accumulate more filings than a low-volume niche model simply because more of them are on the road. What matters is the year-over-year shape and the component concentration — which the table below isolates for the VOLT by showing complaint count, crash count, fire count, and NHTSA safety rating side by side for each model year. The filing-year histogram below the table shows whether complaints are still being submitted against this nameplate or whether the pattern has plateaued, an important distinction for used-car shoppers weighing older cohort years.

NHTSA has 57 investigation files tied to this model, with 2 currently open. Investigations precede recalls and signal that the Office of Defects Investigation is actively testing a theory about a specific component cluster. Together with the complaint-by-year breakdown and recall remedy status, they are the primary signals used by insurance actuaries, fleet managers, and used-vehicle appraisers when pricing CHEVROLETVOLT risk. Compare this nameplate against siblings in the same platform family to see whether a given defect pattern is model-specific or shared across the parent architecture.

Complaints by Year

YearComplaints
201948
2018340
20171173
2016277
201570
2014127
2013442
2012354
201164

Complaint Filing Trend

NHTSA complaint volume by year filed (not model year).

6
11
15
12
24
13
72
14
56
15
72
16
96
17
192
18
282
19
393
20
321
21
256
22
330
23
497
24
244
25
39
26
View all trending models →

Compare CHEVROLETVOLT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all 57 investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the CHEVROLET VOLT?
The CHEVROLET VOLT has received 2,895 NHTSA complaints spanning model years 2011 to 2019, with 8 recalls. That averages about 322 complaints per model year.
What years of CHEVROLET VOLT are available?
PlainCars has complaint and recall data for the CHEVROLET VOLT from 2011 to 2019 (9 model years). Select any year to see component-level complaint breakdowns and safety ratings.
Does the CHEVROLET VOLT have safety ratings?
NHTSA safety ratings (NCAP 5-star program) are available for many CHEVROLET VOLT model years from 2011 onward. Select a specific year to see front crash, side crash, and rollover ratings where available.
What are the most common CHEVROLET VOLT complaints?
NHTSA complaints for the CHEVROLET VOLT are categorized by component — common areas include engine, transmission, electrical system, airbags, and brakes. Select a model year for a detailed component-by-component breakdown.
How do I check if my CHEVROLET VOLT has been recalled?
Visit the year-specific page on PlainCars to see all recalls for your model year, or enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov for official recall status and available remedies.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.