2011 Chevrolet Volt Problems
Compared with other Chevrolet Volt years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
20/100 0.5× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.5× that of a typical Chevrolet Volt year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 6 of its 49 complaints were filed by the end of 2013.
- Most reported part: Electrical system (23 complaints, median 64,000 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 49filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles, 38 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 37 mpgcombined (gas only), 1.4L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid FWD · 35 city / 40 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The part named most often is electrical system, with 23 complaints (47% of the total), followed by air bags (8) and fuel system (6). 38 of the complaints include a mileage, and 37% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1,715 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign, 1 NHTSA investigation and 461 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 8 Chevrolet Volt model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 20 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system23 47%
- Air bags8 16%
- Fuel system6 12%
- Engine4 8.2%
- Brakes3 6.1%
- Steering3 6.1%
- Seats2 4.1%
- Suspension2 4.1%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Hybrid propulsion system (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “In the 6 years that I've had this vehicle, the power cord has burn through 2 times and the receptacle in which it was plugged was burned out 4 times. I'm fortunate my house hasn't caught fire. I feel this is GM's responsibility and I should not have to pay for the 2nd replacement of this cord.”
NHTSA complaint #11024182, filed 2017-09, 88,355 milesAir bags: “'service airbag' chime and light coming on, routinely, even with or with anybody in the passenger seat. I have not taken the car to a dealer yet since I have been reading forum input about this issue and seeing huge cost to repair. Car has only 81k miles and has never been flooded or had water on the seat(passenger).”
NHTSA complaint #11281492, filed 2019-11, 81,000 milesFuel system: “Propulsion power reduced warning happening often. Car was brought in for diagnosis and I was told there was a sw reflash required. It continues to occur after this reflash. It is a major safety issue when this occurs while entering a highway and I cannot get up to highway speeds. It will eventually clear, maybe after 10 minutes or so, and acceleration will normalize.”
NHTSA complaint #11220305, filed 2019-06, 80,000 milesEngine: “My 2011 VOLT frequently shows propulsion power reduced after the battery has been depleted and on restart. This affects performance, acceleration and thus safety for several minutes until the system rebalances itself. This condition began back in 2015 several years ago but is first noted in dealer's records at 101,000 miles. The car has 142,000 now. It has been in the shop several times asking for this condition to be repaired as the problem became more frequent. It appears to have had the software update you reference in your bulletin that may cause the problem . …”
NHTSA complaint #11162077, filed 2018-12, 101,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
37% of the 38 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 31,000 and 97,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volt · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.4% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2012: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 Chevrolet Volt version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); plug-in hybrid figures are for gasoline-only (hybrid mode) driving, so no annual cost is shown.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volt FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid | CVT | 35 | 40 | 37 gas only | — |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 15V145000Mar 13, 2015Electrical system › IgnitionCovers: Chevrolet Volt 2011–2013
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Volt vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, to June 26, 2013. If the driver exits the vehicle without turning off the electrical system, the battery may drain low enough that the gasoline…
Recall details for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE11037Post-Crash EV Fire HazardClosed · Nov 25, 2011
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,715 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11024955Oct 31, 2025Air bags. 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.
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11024324Sep 4, 2025Fuel system, Electrical system. This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Volt
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 34 | 21,750 | 2 | 5 | 42 | 37 · Typical | Stable |
| 2018 | 226 | 24,579 | 2 | 5 | 42 | 100 · More | Rising |
| 2017 | 703 | 36,218 | 0 | 5 | 42 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2016 | 170 | 43,045 | 1 | — | 42 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2015 | 44 | 38,000 | 1 | 5 | 37 | 28 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2014 | 93 | 50,900 | 0 | 5 | 37 | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 308 | 67,000 | 3 | 5 | 37 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 245 | 80,000 | 2 | 5 | 37 | 92 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 49 | 72,500 | 1 | 5 | 37 | 20 · Fewer | Falling |
All Chevrolet Volt model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet Volt have?
NHTSA recorded 49 consumer complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 23 complaints (47% of the total), followed by air bags with 8.
Has the 2011 Chevrolet Volt been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2011 Chevrolet Volt do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2011 Chevrolet Volt 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Volt get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (Volt, 1.4L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid) at 37 mpg combined, 35 city and 40 highway when running on gasoline in hybrid mode. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Volt reported?
Among the 38 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,500 miles and the middle half falls between 31,000 and 97,000 miles; 37% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.