Problems · by component
2012 Chevrolet Volt fuel/propulsion system problems
37 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt cite fuel/propulsion system, 15% of all 245 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
37
15% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Message on dash "Service High Voltage charging system" . Code cleared by inexperienced mechanic. Stalled on the side of the road with "Engine not available" , "Low propulsion" . My local Chevy dealership confirmed a high volt battery leak its now at risk for catching on fire”
“7/6/2024 Was driving 45 mph on a busy road (running only on the gas engine of this plug-in hybrid). Propulsion Power Reduced message showed near the speedometer. My speed was immediately decreased. The check engine light also came on. Despite pressing the gas pedal, the speed could not be maintained and I had to pull off quickly before causing an accident. Luckily, no accident occurred but I fear would could have happened if I wasn't in the right place to pull over quickly. After getting the car towed to a Chevy dealership, they diagnosed the problem as being with the hybrid battery - it needs to be replaced. I don't understand why I had a full tank of gas, was running on gas, and that a bad EV battery would cause ALL propulsion to stop so quickly.”
“Vehicle propolusion reduced and engine not available messages were suddenly showing. Check engine light turned on. Suddenly Stalled/stopped in the middle of highway. Safety concerns”
“2012 CHEVROLET VOLT, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOSING POWER FOR PROPULSION ON THE HIGHWAY/ROADS AT ALL SPEEDS. SHUTTING OFF. ELECTRIC CHARGE IS SUPPOSED TO SWITCH TO THE GASOLINE MOTOR WHEN IT IS LOW, BUT IT DOES NOT, AND VICE VERSA. IT SHOWS HYBRID BATTERY MANAGEMENT HAS A LOSS OF PROPULSION WITH A MESSAGE OF LOW PROPULSION POWER. THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED WITH A RECALL A FEW YEARS BACK BECAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM IS SHOWING UP. NOW, CHEVY DOES NOT HAVE THIS VIN BEING RECALLED. BUT WORSE, THE CONDITIONS IN THE SOFTWARE ARE CAUSING A POWERTRAIN FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE HELP. I AM PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
“I'm constantly receiving a "Propulsion Power Loss" notification on my car. I have brought the car in to a Chevrolet dealer and they refuse to fix it unless I start paying out of pocket costs because the ticket is "closed". This has been going on for about a year since I purchased the car last November and I'm terrified to drive this car since it literally looses power.”
“CAR SUDDENLY ENTERSINTO A NO START AND STALL.THIS IS BEING REPAIRED BY H&H CHEVROLET IN OMAHA AT OWNERS EXPENSE.THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE IN A FAULTY BATTERYCHARGE SENSOR. THE PART IS BEING ORDERED BY H&H SERVICE DEPARTMENT ANDIS NOTYET INSTALLED.AS OF 2/9/2022.”
Showing 6 of 37 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.