This engineering informational bulletin provides process for a GM engineering study on curtain Takata Airbag Steering Wheel Modules and needs the used Takata airbags to be returned to GM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Chevrolet Volt airbags problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Volt (this page) | 6 |
| 2012 Volt | 77 |
| 2013 Volt | 155 |
| 2014 Volt | 29 |
| 2015 Volt | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 6 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Chevrolet Volt we track for airbags problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (6).
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on how to determine whether or not an airbag module is counterfeit or not and what to do if a counterfeit airbag is found.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗15642 - SPECIAL COVERAGE. ON SOME 2011 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET VOLT VEHICLES, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR MAY ILLUMINATE. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) MONITORING AN INCREASE IN THE RESISTANCE OF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE-IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LOOP CIRCUITS. THIS INCREASED RESISTANCE MAY BE CAUSED BY LOOSE TERMINAL CRIMPS IN EITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTED SIDE-IMPACT AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTORS. DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF SPECIFIC DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) AND, IF NECESSARY, BYPASS THE HARNESS CONNECTORS AND REPAIR WIRING IN THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER FRONT SIDE-IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT LOOP CIRCUITS. THE REPAIRS WILL BE MA
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
'service airbag' chime and light coming on, routinely, even with or with anybody in the passenger seat. I have not taken the car to a dealer yet since I have been reading forum input about this issue and seeing huge cost to repair. Car has only 81k miles and has never been flooded or had water on the seat(passenger).
The airbag light has turned and airbag sensor is bad. Passenger airbag will not illuminate and work for someone sitting in the passenger seat. The car has not been in an accident.
Air bag warning light is illuminated due to a failed sensor in the passenger seat. Had to replace with a used seat.
Air bag warning light is illuminated due to a failed sensor in the passenger seat. Had to replace with a used seat.
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 Chevrolet Volt?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 98,031 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Chevrolet/Volt.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.