Recalls & safety ratings

2012 CHEVROLET VOLT

Every NHTSA recall campaign covering the 2012 CHEVROLET VOLT, and the crash-test ratings for the body styles that were tested.
  • 2
    Recalls
  • 5
    Owner complaints
  • 1
    Investigations

Sourced from NHTSA recall and safety-rating data — last checked 5 September 2026.

2 recall campaigns

A campaign usually covers only part of a model year's production, so it may not apply to a particular car. Check the VIN to be certain.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

NHTSA campaign 15V145000 · General Motors LLC

Summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Volt vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, to June 26, 2013. If the driver exits the vehicle without turning off the electrical system, the battery may drain low enough that the gasoline engine will automatically start itself to recharge the electric battery.

Consequence

If the engine runs for an extended period of time in an enclosed space, there may be a build up of carbon monoxide, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine management software to limit the time that the stationary vehicle can be left in the ON position, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14617.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

NHTSA campaign 13V271000 · General Motors LLC

Summary

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."

Consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

NHTSA crash-tests vehicles and rates them out of five stars. More stars mean a safer car. Ratings are per body style, so a model can appear more than once below.

2012 Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD(Early Release- field upgrade)

Overall

Frontal crash

Driver
Passenger

Side crash

Driver
Passenger
Pole

Rollover

9.3% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

  • Electronic stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No

2012 Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD(Early Release-no field upgrade)

Overall

Frontal crash

Driver
Passenger

Side crash

Driver
Passenger
Pole

Rollover

9.3% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

  • Electronic stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No

2012 Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD(Later Release)

Overall

Frontal crash

Driver
Passenger

Side crash

Driver
Passenger
Pole

Rollover

9.3% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

  • Electronic stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No

Get started for free

Get a free preview of the report