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ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-CHEVROLET-VOLTNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet
2013 Chevrolet Volt problems
The 2013 Chevrolet Volt has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 308 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2013 Chevrolet Volt has 308 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 155 complaints, typically surfacing around 80,552 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
1
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Volt?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 54 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 18,398–87,000 mi
Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average
3 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: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Chevrolet Volt 4 DR FWD. 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 2013 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
airbags — 155 owner reports
· tends to show around 80,552 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
electrical — 54 owner reports
· tends to show around 61,006 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 49,438 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
brakes — 14 owner reports
· tends to show around 46,357 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 61,006 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 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
2013 Volt· airbags
Passenger seat airbag sensor went bag resulting in the car throwing a "service airbag" warning light. Cost over 800 dollars to fix, have heard from the dealer and on volt forums online that this is a very common problem and should be a recall
Service airbag light coming on intermittently upon front passenger entering or leaving vehicle. Service light clears and reappears at random for several trips after this occurs.
The passenger presence sensor module has developed a fault. The service airbag soon warning pops up when a front seat passenger gets out of the seat. I can manually recreate the problem by pressing down on the seat bottom cushion and then when I release pressure the warning…
At 40,000 miles approximately, the check airbag sensor light came up. The dealer said that because it was out of the 36,000 mile warranty, it was not covered and it would be about $850 and there would be no guarantee that the sensor change would fix it. I refused the work for…
Had a problem with your 2013 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 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Volt vehicles
If the voltage drops, the vehicle may lose propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the HPCM2, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18215.
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.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Chevrolet Volt reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Chevrolet Volt has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2013 Chevrolet Volt?
The 2013 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: 54 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 18,398–87,000 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 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 2013 Chevrolet Volt?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 155 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,552 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2013 Chevrolet Volt a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 308 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 80,552 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 2013 Chevrolet Volt?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 155 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 80,552 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 80,552 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 2013 Chevrolet Volt?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 308 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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/2013/Chevrolet/Volt.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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