This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Chevrolet Volt brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 65,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Volt (this page) | 12 |
| 2013 Volt | 14 |
| 2014 Volt | 5 |
| 2015 Volt | 5 |
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Chevrolet Volt in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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 bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates that when removing the fuel line jumper hose care should be taken to be sure the line is reinstalled correctly to avoid a no/low fuel pressure situation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Brake issues on 2012 Volts cluster around two main problems: electronic control failure and complete loss of stopping power.
Several owners experienced brake control module or pressure modulator valve failures at 62,000–120,000 miles. The pedal became hard to depress, shook when pressed, or delivered mushy feel. Some reported extended braking distance. One owner's brake pedal locked up during a panic stop with ABS failing to engage; diagnostic code C012E-12 (Hydraulic Brake Boost Pressure Loss) showed up.
More serious: multiple owners lost braking entirely during low-speed driving (20–40 mph). One owner's pedal went to floor during a panic stop at 25 mph, nearly causing a collision. After restart, brakes worked again, but the issue repeated. Another owner had the same failure happen twice—once before dealership repair, once after. Low-mileage cars (1,300–6,000 miles) reported brake failure, too.
One owner noted brakes fail specifically when hitting potholes or rough pavement while braking—the pedal must be released and reapplied to stop. Another reported abnormal noise from the regenerative brake bearing alongside brake failure.
Dealers diagnosed electronic brake control modules, brake modulators, and brake boosters as faulty. Many owners noted their vehicles matched the symptoms of NHTSA recall 13V271000 but were excluded from it. Manufacturer assistance was limited; one dealership failed to diagnose or repair after 21 days.
Same Chevrolet Volt brakes reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Brake Control Module / Brake Pressure Modulator Valve Failure
Electronic brake control module and/or brake pressure modulator valve fails, preventing proper brake force modulation. Owners report brake pedal shaking, difficulty depressing the pedal, and extended braking distance.
When: 62,000–120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: brake pedal shakes when depressed; brake pedal difficult to depress; extended braking distance; brake assist warning light illuminates
Codes mentioned: electronic brake control module failure, brake pressure modulator valve failure
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic brake control module and brake pressure modulator valve replacement required; some owners report dealers were unable to complete repairs or did not repair vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 13V271000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes); owners report their VINs were excluded from recall despite matching failure symptoms
Regenerative Braking Transition Delay
Regenerative braking system switches off when a wheel loses traction, but there is a delay before friction brakes engage. This gap creates a sudden increase in braking distance, particularly on wet or snowy surfaces.
When: occurs on wet or snowy road conditions
Symptoms owners cite: delayed brake engagement after regenerative braking disengages; braking distance increases 5–10 feet during low-traction events; loss of perceived braking force during traction loss
Complete Brake Failure—Pedal to Floor
Brake pedal loses all responsiveness and travels to the floor without stopping the vehicle. Owners report panic stops or near-collisions. Issue often corrects itself after vehicle restart but recurs.
When: ranging from 1,300 to 84,682 miles; some owners report repeated failures
Symptoms owners cite: brake pedal goes to floor with no stopping power; mushy brake pedal feel; loss of all braking force during panic stop; service brakes warning light appears; ABS failure warning light appears
Codes mentioned: C012E-12: Hydraulic Brake Boost Pressure Loss-Low Input
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster hydraulic and master cylinder replacement; brake module modulator replacement; one vehicle experienced same failure twice despite dealership repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 13V271000 mentioned by some owners; manufacturer notified but no assistance provided in multiple cases
Brake Failure When Going Over Road Surface Irregularities
Brakes fail to engage when the vehicle encounters bumps, potholes, or rough road surfaces while the brake pedal is depressed. Brake pedal must be released and reapplied to stop the vehicle.
When: occurs at any speed when striking road surface irregularities during braking
Symptoms owners cite: brakes do not engage when pedal depressed over bumps or potholes; vehicle fails to slow down during simultaneous brake pedal depression and road surface impact; brake engagement only occurs after pedal release and reapplication
Regenerative Brake Bearing Noise and Brake Failure
Abnormal noise from regenerative brake bearing correlates with brake failure. While brake pedal is depressed, vehicle fails to stop; owner must wait for pedal to return to normal position.
When: 62,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal noise from regenerative brake bearing; vehicle fails to stop while brake pedal is depressed; no warning indicators present
ABS Failure and Brake Lock-Up
ABS system fails to engage during panic stop, causing brakes to lock up instead of pulsing. Owner reports ABS failure warning and low hydraulic brake boost pressure.
When: panic stop condition
Symptoms owners cite: brakes lock up during panic stop; ABS fails to engage; low hydraulic brake boost pressure
Codes mentioned: C012E-12: Hydraulic Brake Boost Pressure Loss-Low Input
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes 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 brakes problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 13,552 and 98,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,552; a quarter make it past 98,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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.