Chevrolet Volt problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 49 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
As an electric vehicle, when running on battery, it is difficult to know when the vehicle is left running. Upon returning home one day, I exited the vehicle and plugged it in. I didn't realize at the time, that I had not turned off the volt by pressing the blue power switch on…
My 2011 volt frequently shows "propulsion power reduced" after the battery has been depleted and on restart. This affects performance, acceleration and thus safety for several minutes until the system rebalances itself. This condition began back in 2015 several years ago but is…
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the defroster failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer replaced the heating system module; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet volt. The contact stated that the lighting on the instrument panel went out without warning. The failure prevented the contact from seeing the speedometer or fuel gauge. The contact stated that the same failure occurred multiple times. The…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Chevrolet Volt reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 Chevrolet Volt?
On the NHTSA data, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 23 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 75,366 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 75,366 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Volt has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Chevrolet Volt?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 49 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.