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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-CHEVROLET-VOLTNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet
2012 Chevrolet Volt problems
The 2012 Chevrolet Volt has 245 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2012 Chevrolet Volt has 245 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 79 complaints, typically surfacing around 85,319 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Volt?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 79 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–119,000 mi
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★5/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD(Later Release). Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Volt? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 79 owner reports
· tends to show around 85,319 mi · ~$850 to fix
airbags — 77 owner reports
· tends to show around 101,797 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
powertrain — 20 owner reports
· tends to show around 62,437 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
brakes — 12 owner reports
· tends to show around 61,253 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 85,319 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 Volt· steering
Unexpectedly, generally on uneven street/roadway, hilly the brakes do not immediately engage and will create a feeling that you many not be able to stop and/or steer, or keep the vehicle under control. After taking the automobile to a dealer about four times, it was…
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the front passenger’s side air bag Passenger Sensor System…
At random times and days, when starting the car, the center lcd display is blank. This display is crucial for the safety of the vehicle because it displays your speed, the battery life and gas tank amount, turn signal indicators as well as other important details needed when…
2012 Chevrolet volt, the vehicle has been losing power for propulsion on the highway/roads at all speeds. Shutting off. Electric charge is supposed to switch to the gasoline motor when it is low, but it does not, and vice versa. It shows hybrid battery management has a loss of…
Had a problem with your 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Volt vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, to June 26, 2013
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.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through April 17, 2012
If the brakes lock up it could cause a loss of steering control and/or a lengthened distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will install a new brake pressure modulator valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 12, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's recall number is 13184.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Volt reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 245 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 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 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 79 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–119,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 79 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 85,319 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Volt a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 245 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 85,319 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 79 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 85,319 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 85,319 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 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 245 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chevrolet/Volt.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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