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 ↗2012 Chevrolet Volt airbags problems
severe 77 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
77
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 77 airbags complaints filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
Airbags accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 77 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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 ↗This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on the driver airbag light is flashing in the cluster and/or the passenger airbag ON indicator does not illuminate when the passenger is present when the SDM setup has not been completed after reprogramming.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The passenger presence sensor—a safety-critical component that tells the airbag system whether someone is sitting in the front passenger seat—fails on thousands of 2012 Volts, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. When it goes bad, the dashboard flashes "Service Airbag" warnings that come and go randomly, or stay on all the time. The real danger is that when the sensor fails, the car disables the passenger airbag even though someone is sitting there. A handful of owners have been in crashes with unfired airbags and sustained head injuries.
Owners say the sensor triggers false alarms when the seat is empty, misfires when a passenger shifts position or when the seat is adjusted, and sometimes only clears temporarily if you press hard on the seat. The failure rate and consistency across forums point to a design or manufacturing defect—not owner misuse. Repair quotes run $800–$1,200 to replace the module or entire seat assembly. GM opened NHTSA investigation PE19013 in 2019 and closed it in 2021, claiming they set up a cost-reduction repair program. Owners report that program does not exist; dealers have no record of it, and GM has discontinued the replacement part altogether. Independent shops cannot help because the work requires proprietary GM tools and programming software. Vehicles out of warranty are left owner-responsible for a component that should last the vehicle's life.
Same Chevrolet Volt airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Presence Sensor / Passenger Sensing System (PSS) Malfunction
The passenger presence detection sensor embedded in or beneath the passenger seat fails to reliably detect occupants, causing the service airbag warning light to illuminate intermittently or continuously. When the sensor is faulty, the system may disable the passenger-side airbag (and in some reported cases, all airbags) even with an occupant present, or trigger false warnings when the seat is empty. The failure often worsens over time and can be reproduced by pressing on the seat, shifting seat position, or by heavier passengers.
When: Begins as early as 19,000 miles on some vehicles; typically emerges between 60,000–100,000 miles; some reports begin after routine service without apparent cause.
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or continuously; Warning light activates when passenger is seated, then deactivates when they exit; Light blinks on and off rapidly while driving; Light activates randomly with no occupant in the seat; Sensor may toggle on/off with seat movement or when passenger shifts position; Airbag indicator shows airbag 'off' instead of 'on' when passenger is present; Pushing down on a section of the seat can temporarily clear the warning
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of passenger presence module, sensor harness, or entire passenger seat assembly. Parts cost $400–$500; total repair cost $800–$1,200 including labor (typically $150/hour × 2–5 hours). Some owners report part discontinuation by GM, making repairs unavailable. Independent shops cannot perform the work due to GM patent on proprietary tools and programming equipment required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In September 2019, NHTSA opened investigation PE19013 into malfunction of the Passenger Sensing System in 2012–2013 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. In July 2021, NHTSA closed the investigation after GM instituted a cost-reduction program for repair/replacement of the PSS. However, multiple owners report that GM denies knowledge of any such program when contacted, dealers cannot locate it, and the replacement part has been discontinued. GM warranty coverage applies only within 60,000 km (approximately 37,000 miles) or the bumper-to-bumper warranty period, leaving out-of-warranty vehicles owner-responsible.
Airbag Harness Disconnection (Seat Movement)
The passenger presence module harness beneath the passenger seat becomes disconnected when the seat is moved back and forth repeatedly. This causes intermittent or persistent sensor faults and warning light activation. GM issued a TSB addressing this condition.
When: Mileage not consistently reported; triggered by regular seat repositioning and adjustment.
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminates when seat is adjusted forward; Warning clears when seat is moved to full rearward position; Module is undetected in forward seat position but detected in rearward position
Repairs/costs cited: Requires rewiring or securing of the harness. GM has issued a TSB for this condition.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) advising dealers to rewire the harness; owners report dealers refused to perform this work at no cost.
Airbag Non-Deployment in Actual Crashes
Two owners reported being in motor vehicle accidents where the front airbags failed to deploy, resulting in head injuries. The failure to deploy occurred in vehicles with known passenger sensing system issues.
When: Deployment failure during crash events; one reported in a high-speed frontal collision (35–40 mph), another in a side-impact collision (25 mph).
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during frontal collision impact; Airbags did not deploy during side-impact collision; Head and neck injuries resulted from impact without airbag cushioning; One owner suffered concussion; another suffered memory loss and concussion
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; vehicles not inspected post-crash for root cause of airbag failure.
Synthesized from 77 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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 was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the part to repair…
My 2012 Chevrolet Volt has had a failure with the passenger air bag presence sensor. As a result, the passenger air bag indicator has been going on and off intermittently while someone is riding in the passenger seat. This has been happening since 2017. It has gotten worse over time and is usually off when it should be on. My passengers no longer feel safe. This is a failure that could result…
Airbag light comes on when even the slightest pressure is placed on the passenger seat. I was told that replacing the sensor in the seat is the only remedy, and that is repair is not covered by warranty. This is a major safety issue that is known to gm.
Vehicle displaying service airbag warning. Was told by dealer the passenger airbag will not deploy unless a $1000 part is ordered and installed. This is a critical safety device and should be covered as a safety recall. This warning appears upon starting the vehicle and remains on. The dealer stated the passenger sensing module shorted out internally. The vehicle currently has 124k miles on…
The passenger seat occupancy sensor is malfunctioning and needs replaced.
This issue appears to be related to an open investigation (pe19013). Airbag warning displayed after passenger has exited the vehicle ('service airbag'). Appears to be caused by faulty passenger presence sensor. Fault cleared when vehicle is turned off/on. Dealer (paradise Chevrolet, ventura, ca) advised that passenger presence and airbag systems have an 'internal fault' (b0074, b0081) which…
The air bag sensor warning light is on and air bag will not work for passenger seats. Per the dealership there is an issue with the airbag sensor that they are aware of the cost of repair is 800. To replace the airbag sensor module. They said placing a cell phone or laptop on the seat causes the malfunction but there is no recall at this point. I can't believe placing an electronic on a seat…
Had airbags trouble with your 2012 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 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
It's a meaningful issue. 77 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 48 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 85,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 98,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 85,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2012/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.