Problems · by component

2013 Chevrolet Volt engine problems

37 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Chevrolet Volt cite engine, 12% of all 308 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
37
12% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11715715
“The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light and low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic test result was undisclosed; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle needed an ASC high-voltage battery to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired after the ASC battery was replaced. The contact stated that the propulsion system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2024Engine, Hybrid propulsion systemODI 11593400
“I was driving my plugin hybrid Volt on a highway when the engine stalled and the engine light turned on. I tap the throttle a few times to get it to stay on. It worked, but I had to continue to tap the throttle to keep it going. It also revved up sharply when it was in low gear. The vehicle was out of battery, so it was as running on engine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 25, 2023Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11561788
“When placing the vehicle in park, an error message "shift to park" lights up even as the car is turned off. This has been an issue with early models of the Chevy Volt. I have owned 4 of them. Every single one of them had this same problem. My current two Volt I just obtained both have this error message. The car thinks it's not in park when it is.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2022Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11463174
“When placing the vehicle in park, an error message "shift to park" lights up even as the car is turned off. This has been an issue with early models of the Chevy Volt. I have owned 4 of them. Every single one of them had this same problem. My current two Volt I just obtained both have this error message. The car thinks it's not in park when it is.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2022Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11463176
“VEHICLE HAS STOPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DURING THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WILL POST AN ERROR ON THE DASH SCREEN. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE TRANSITIONS FROM ELECTRIC FUEL TO GASOLINE, WHEN THE ELECTRIC FUEL IS DEPLETED. CHEVY REFUSES TO REPAIR OR WARRANTY THE VEHICLE, ALSO THE DEALER REFUSES TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RETURN TO NORMAL UNTIL YOU TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2021Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11415209

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.