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 ↗2013 Chevrolet Volt airbags problems
moderate 155 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
155
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 155 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 carries the most owner complaints on file — 155.
Airbags accounts for 50% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
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 informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
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 ↗The informational bulletin explains how items on the passenger seat may cause the PPS to chime or the passenger airbag light turns on if electronic devices or conductive objects are placed on the seat.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The informational bulletin explains how items on the passenger seat may cause the PPS to chime or the passenger airbag light turns on if electronic devices or conductive objects are placed on the seat.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The passenger seat occupancy sensor in 2013 Volts fails intermittently or permanently, triggering "Service Airbag" warnings, chimes, and disabling the passenger-side airbag when it detects a fault. Owners describe the warning appearing randomly while driving or parked, clearing on its own, or persisting until the vehicle restarts. Some report the airbag indicator flashing OFF even with an adult sitting in the seat—a direct safety failure. The problem worsens over months or years and strikes vehicles across the mileage spectrum, from 27,000 to 150,000 miles.
Dealerships consistently quote $600–$1,500 to replace the passenger presence module, citing labor-intensive seat disassembly. Owners note the repair is out of warranty and report that dealers offer no discounts or solutions. NHTSA closed investigation PE19013 in 2019 after GM claimed a "cost reduction program" exists; however, multiple owners state dealerships and GM support are unaware of any such program. One owner replaced the sensor and experienced identical failure months later. No recall has been issued despite the pattern affecting dozens of reported vehicles.
Same Chevrolet Volt airbags reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor (Passenger Presence Module/PSS) Failure
The capacitive field detector in the passenger seat fails to correctly sense occupancy, generating intermittent or persistent 'Service Airbag' warnings and illuminating the airbag warning light. When the sensor fails, the passenger-side airbag is disabled even when an occupant is present. The sensor mat can fold or deteriorate with normal use, triggering false positives when no passenger is in the seat and false negatives when one is present.
When: Failures reported from 27,000 miles to 150,000 miles; most commonly in the 40,000–120,000 mile range. Some owners report the fault emerging within a year of purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent 'Service Airbag' dashboard warning and chiming; Airbag warning light illuminates on instrument panel; Passenger airbag indicator switches to OFF despite occupied seat; Warning triggered by passenger shifting weight in seat; Warning triggered by light objects (backpack, groceries) on seat; Warning clears briefly when downward pressure applied to empty seat; Warning triggered during acceleration, braking, or cornering; Warning occurs regardless of vehicle motion state; Warnings worsen in high interior temperatures; Warnings persist until vehicle power cycles
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of passenger presence module/sensor pad requires removal of passenger seat and reassembly. Repair costs range from $600 to $1,500 (parts $150–$500, labor $450–$1,000+). One owner replaced the sensor once and it failed again. No guarantee the replacement will not fail identically. Parts reported on national backorder in some instances.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE19013 closed in 2019; GM claimed to have established a 'cost reduction program' for repair/replacement. However, multiple owners report dealerships have no knowledge of this program. GM denied coverage under warranty. No recall issued despite 155 complaints in this cluster.
Synthesized from 155 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
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 reappears and then goes away after 10 seconds. I will now need to replace the module and get the vehicle reprogrammed, or…
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 that price. I have driven another 135,000 miles and it is still on. Safety has been reduced due to the high charge for a…
Repair air bag warning light keeps going on. It is due to the passenger seat sensor. If there is no one on the seat, the light will remain off but the moment any pressure is applied to the seat, the warning light comes off. It appears the seat airbag sensor mat is failing which is concerning because this is a significant safety issue that is costly to repair. The light will turn on regardless if…
Faulty passenger air bag sensor after warranty
Airbag Sensor Service light keeps going off. Passenger side.
My car started intermittently saying "service airbag" since around 55,000 miles. No at 88,000 miles it now is on nearly all the time. I have been told the fix for this is reinstalling the passenger seat cushion due to a bad design. This repair is about $1000 to fix a manufacturer defect.
The dashboard airbag warning light comes on, and the dashboard says "Service Airbag". The car chimes, and it (the message and light) usually goes away within 10 seconds. If it stays, when I push down on the passenger seat and then let go the message will go away, and the airbag light will go off. This condition happens when there is a passenger and when there is not a passenger and is an…
Airbag service light comes on intermittently. Repair cost estimate is ~$1000.
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Chevrolet Volt?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 155 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?
Across the 108 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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/2013/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.