2013 Chevrolet Volt recalls and problems

The 2013 Chevrolet Volt has 3 safety recalls and 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

308

Crashes / fires

8 / 2

Injuries / deaths

9 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Chevrolet Volt recalls

Recall 23V-516: Air Bags

Reported Jul 27, 2023 · 767 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.

Recall 18V-397: Hybrid Propulsion System

Reported Jun 14, 2018 · 4,606 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the voltage drops, the vehicle may lose propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the HPCM2, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18215.

Recall 15V-145: Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Mar 13, 2015 · 50,236 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2013 Chevrolet Volt problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	161
Electrical System	63
Fuel/Propulsion System	53
Engine	37
Seats	31
Power Train	24
Service Brakes	19
Unknown or Other	15
Structure	6
Tires	6
Vehicle Speed Control	6
Steering	5

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 5
Electrical System › Propulsion System — 5
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery — 4
Structure › Body › Trunk Lid — 1
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module — 1
Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light/Devices — 1
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 1
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 67,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Chevrolet Volt complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Feb 26, 2026

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 itâs 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

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Feb 4, 2026

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…

Engine and Engine Cooling · at 141,323 miles · reported Dec 16, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The Check Engine warning light was flashing, and the messages "No Propulsion Power" and "No Power To Engine" were displayed. The contact stated that two individuals pulled over and assisted the contact in pushing the vehicle to the side of the road to prevent a crash. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who made the contact aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but the vehicle was not…

Air Bags · reported Oct 25, 2025

The passenger occupancy sensor gives a false positive. The only way I can get rid of the beeping is plug in the seatbelt. I have read on Reddit forums that this is a very common problem with 2013 volts, but for some reason there isn't a recall. This is a safety issue. Thank you!

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Oct 23, 2025

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.

Other Chevrolet Volt years

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 201420132012 2011

Compare all Chevrolet Volt years · All Chevrolet models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Chevrolet Volt have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt: 23V-516 (air bags), 18V-397 (hybrid propulsion system), 15V-145 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Chevrolet Volt?

Owners report air bags problems most often (161 reports), followed by electrical system (63). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 67,000 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.