2013 Chevrolet Volt Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 8%of 308 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,082miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Chevrolet Volt, 8% of the 308 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,082 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On sept. 5th 2018 I hit the center island while turning on the city street at about 15mph. The impact was so slight that the air bags didn't even deploy. I was able to get it to the dealers on it's own power. My insurance company sent their appraiser ,jeremy , to inspect the damage. I had to get some items out of my car before that. The mechanic had the car on the rack so he could show me. …”
NHTSA complaint #11131749, filed 2018-09, 135,569 miles“While driving at 40mph on a straight road, I went to change the drive mode, but I accidentally hit the power button. When I hit the power bottom the car shut down. I was not able to restart the car while the shift lever was in drive, so I had to coast to a stop, place the vehicle in park, and reboot the car. I was very surprised that I was able to power off the car while I was driving around 40-45 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #10820733, filed 2016-01, 52,000 miles“A warning message appeared on the dash, which said propulsion power is reduced, followed by, engine not available. Service soon, as well as a check engine light. I pressed the onstar button to find out what was wrong but they had never heard of the error message and could not establish communication with the vehicle to perform diagnostics. While on hold with onstar, the vehicle began to spontaneously decelerate very rapidly despite my attempts to accelerate, in the middle of fast highway traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10705646, filed 2015-04, 17,400 miles“My 2013 VOLT has started giving me only a maximum of 35 miles charge, but really only giving me 27-32 even through I drive in low (which always gave me more miles than the car thought I'd get). Maybe this is connected to the new problem? Yesterday when I turned on the car (driving in gas because I had run out of electric) it gave gave me a propulsion power reduced error message. I tried turning it off and on several times, but the error stayed. I had to drive from downtown la in a car that could barely move. About 8 miles in, the error disappeared and the car ran normally. …”
NHTSA complaint #11166247, filed 2019-01, 44,165 miles“While driving down a road in indianapolis at 35 miles per hour, my car suddenly slowed down and a message reading engine not available - service soon appeared on my hud. My car only has 32,800 miles on it and a clean title. Nothing about my driving changed to cause this issue, it was sudden and without apparent cause. I had the car taken to the mechanic, and GM just reset the codes. It is driving ok for now, but a reset of codes is a temporary fix to the issue, and I've read extensively about many, many other VOLT owners with the same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10851456, filed 2016-03, 32,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11005311Jul 9, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242061Aug 7, 2023This 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.
- 10239103Jun 29, 2023This service bulletin provides information for automatic transmission Oil Cooler Flush and flow test.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 16 | 47% |
| 2018 | 85 | 37% |
| 2017 | 221 | 31% |
| 2016 | 51 | 30% |
| 2015 | 6 | 14% |
| 2014 | 4 | 4% |
| 2013 | 24 | 8% |
| 2012 | 22 | 9% |
| 2011 | 3 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2013 Chevrolet Volt
161 complaintsElectrical system
63 complaintsFuel system
53 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsSeats
31 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Chevrolet Volt
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology