Research · Compact Cars

2014 Chevrolet VoltRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 93 owner complaints for the 2014 Chevrolet Volt. Most complaints involve air bags (32) and electrical system (27). 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
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
93
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2014 Chevrolet Volt as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

93 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2014 – May 2026
  1. Air bags32
  2. Electrical system27
  3. Fuel/propulsion system19
  4. Engine9
  5. Service brakes6
  6. Steering5
  7. Power train4
  8. Visibility/wiper4
  9. Seats3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Volt model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201149
2012245
2013308
201493
201544
2016170
2017703
2018228
201935
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

32 reports
“Date above is approximate. The airbag sensor in the passenger side of the vehicle is faulty and causes a constantly cycling alarm when there is a passenger present. I believe this means that it is not accurately sensing the passenger and is turning the airbag on and off, making for a safety issue in the event of a crash. This is apparently a frequent issue and customers should not need to pay the $1,000 to fix the faulty sensor that could put a passenger at risk. https://www.gm-volt.com/threads/2013-passenger-presence-sensor-airbag-error.260945/page-2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGq_9T6om7g”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2023Air bags, SeatsODI 11513836

Electrical system

27 reports4 crashes1 fire
“I was slowly maneuvering my car into my garage when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly surged forward, despite only lightly tapping the brake and not touching the accelerator. The car had been displaying the warning, “Propulsion Power is Reduced” and was not holding an electric charge in the days before the incident. No malfunction indicator lamp ever turned on. Per the owner’s manual, the vehicle did not need to be serviced because the malfunction indicator light never came on at the same time as the propulsion power reduced message. This led me to believe the vehicle was safe to drive. The unexpected surge caused the car to strike and cause considerable damage to the garage wall. Fortunately there was no one in the garage at the time and I, myself, was not injured. My car was deemed a total loss by the insurance company.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2025Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11677327

Fuel/propulsion system

19 reports3 crashes
“While driving 50mph on a 4 lane highway, propulsion reduced speed and engine unavailable message came on and the car immediately shut down, a car almost hit me because of it. I had to hurry up jump out and try and push it off the road out of oncoming traffic! After about 15 minutes of turning car off and then back on. It finally started again, I then drove 1/4 mile and it did it again this time as turning left across a 2 lane highway with traffic oncoming, once again had to hurry up and jump out and push it out of the road! This was such an extremely scary situation for me and I thank god my wife wasn’t driving with our daughter and grand kids! This is the 2nd time because on 8/1/2025 it did the same thing while driving on a major 4 lane toll road, was able to pull off to side of the highway BUT had to be towed home!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2025Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11678142
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Volt
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
354037$2,10081
  • Volt
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.4 L
    35 city · 40 hwy · $2,100/yr
    37
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet 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 8294
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2014 Volt questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Chevrolet Volt have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2014 Chevrolet Volt problems?

Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (32), electrical system (27), fuel/propulsion system (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Chevrolet Volt get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Chevrolet Volt at 37 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2014 Chevrolet Volt?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Chevrolet Volt 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026