Air bags: inflator module
Free remedy
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
Research · Compact Cars
2013 Chevrolet VoltRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 308 owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt. Most complaints involve air bags (161) and electrical system (63). The EPA rates it 37 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
37mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2023
Owner complaints
308
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Hybrid propulsion system
Free remedy
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.
Electrical system: ignition
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
308 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2012 – Apr 2026
- Air bags161
- Electrical system63
- Fuel/propulsion system53
- Engine37
- Seats31
- Power train24
- Service brakes19
- Vehicle speed control6
- Structure6
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
161 reports1 crash
“The passenger presence sensor is failing or failed because every time someone sit in there the airbag turns on and off repeatedly every 2-3 mins and gives a service airbag warning and if no one is sitting in the passenger seat then it just stays on. Could be really dangerous if a wreck happens while it’s glitching in the off mode and could cause death. Multiple people have had this problem with the volts and there is even a thing you can by to completely bypass the airbag going off which shows how common the problem is if there is a solution to eliminate it in an unsafe/not factory manner”
Electrical system
63 reports1 crash1 fire
“I received the "Propulsion Power is Reduced" Alert engine light while driving in "Normal" mode on the freeway at around 60mph with 8-9 miles of Battery capacity, it showed 0 miles of Battery forcing the Gas Engine on and the vehicle hesitated upon applying the accelerator for the remainder of the drive. My safety and that was others was at risk because the acceleration dropped quickly and I was on a busy freeway at the time when the Alert happened causing further hesitation. Upon stopping I could not get the vehicle to take a charge nor would it start up until a mechanic arrived and was able to confirm the problem.”
Fuel/propulsion system
53 reports2 crashes1 fire
“Propulsion power reduced error has happened many times but the recall lookup shows that there are no active recalls on our car. There was a recall on this problem in 2018 so I think it may have been done my the last owner but it is still having this problem.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
- Engines
- 1.4L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid
- Transmissions
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- EV range
- 380 mi (EPA)
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volt Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 35 | 40 | 37 | $2,100 | 81 |
- 37mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 5 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 9.3%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 7052
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2013 Volt questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Volt have?
3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Volt problems?
Owners filed 308 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (161), electrical system (63), fuel/propulsion system (53). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2013 Chevrolet Volt get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Chevrolet Volt at 37 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
How safe is the 2013 Chevrolet Volt?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Chevrolet Volt 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026