Chevrolet Volt 2013

Model Volt made in 2013 by Chevrolet got 23 consumer complains as well as 8 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system and engine. Technical service bulletines regarding electrical system and power train.

Model 2013

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - SOFTWARE
PB-1224110/01/201210047659Chevrolet: due to software anomaly, hybrid powertrain control module (hpcm2)may open and reset propulsion power relays, and electric motor may temporarily stop, because of incorrect date information. model 2013 volt. *pe12/05/2012
PB-12187-A09/01/201210047279Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc: see document search button for owner letter. software problem fails to work, as intended, in automatic crash response system and may not meet severity parameters for crash notification in certain rear end cr11/26/2012
PB-12187-A09/01/2012PB-12187-B10047279Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc: see document search button for owner letter. software problem fails to work, as intended, in automatic crash response system and may not meet severity parameters for crash notification in certain rear end cr11/26/2012
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
PB-1224110/01/201210047659Chevrolet: due to software anomaly, hybrid powertrain control module (hpcm2)may open and reset propulsion power relays, and electric motor may temporarily stop, because of incorrect date information. model 2013 volt. *pe12/05/2012
(PWS)
PIC-5708-B09/01/2012PIC-5708-C10047359Chevrolet: do not replace b75b mass airflow sensor, intake air temperature sensor or ecm if experiencing check engine lamp coming on with history p0111. model 2012-2013 volt. *pe updated 11/28/12. *pe11/26/2012
PIC-5708-B09/01/201210047359Chevrolet: do not replace b75b mass airflow sensor, intake air temperature sensor or ecm if experiencing check engine lamp coming on with history p0111. model 2012-2013 volt. *pe11/26/2012
SEAT BELTS - FRONT
SB-12-09-41-00212/01/201210051079Cadillac/chevrolet/buick/gmc: passenger seat belt indicator is illuminated due to possible conductive objects, such as tech 2, groceries, charging and audio cables, electronic tablets or computers and cell phones, placed on seats and would02/21/2013
SEAT BELTS - FRONT - WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
SB-12-09-41-00212/01/201210051079Cadillac/chevrolet/buick/gmc: passenger seat belt indicator is illuminated due to possible conductive objects, such as tech 2, groceries, charging and audio cables, electronic tablets or computers and cell phones, placed on seats and would02/21/2013

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12/03/20128001
 I was on my way home, it was very dark outside on a two lane highway going 60-60mph and wanted to switch over to electric hold mode so i could save the electric battery for city driving. i glanced over and hit the drive mode button three times thinking i was going to send the drive mode down to hold. instead what i did was powered off the car by hitting the power button. (the two buttons are right next to each other and both require multiple presses to work). so there i was, the car went black inside and the headlights turned off outside while i was going 65mpg on a two lane highway (one lane each direction). thank god there was nobody around or close to me and thankfully there was just enough ambient light from the moon to see where i was. i hit the power button to try turning it back on, nothing. luckily the hazard switch remained lit and i was able to turn my hazards on. i had to stop on the side of the road, put it back into park and hit power. i realize i hit the wrong button but why should such an easy mistake almost cause a fatality. if not for the moon i might have drove off the road and into a telephone pole. i would highly recommend they move the power button to the steering column, similar to where a key would be located. for gods sake, don't put a multiple click button next to another multiple click button that has such significance in the outcome of your life. and for god sakes, don't turn off the headlights if the computer detects i'm going 65 and knows via the sensor that it's dark outside! there are multiple complaints about this at various web sites, including.... http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?17249-power-button-too-close-to-drive-mode-button! somebody is going to be have a fatality soon if this is not fixed. *tr
12/03/2012800
 I was on my way home, it was very dark outside on a two lane highway going 60-60mph and wanted to switch over to electric hold mode so i could save the electric battery for city driving. i glanced over and hit the drive mode button three times thinking i was going to send the drive mode down to hold. instead what i did was powered off the car by hitting the power button. (the two buttons are right next to each other and both require multiple presses to work). so there i was, the car went black inside and the headlights turned off outside while i was going 65mpg on a two lane highway (one lane each direction). thank god there was nobody around or close to me and thankfully there was just enough ambient light from the moon to see where i was. i hit the power button to try turning it back on, nothing. luckily the hazard switch remained lit and i was able to turn my hazards on. i had to stop on the side of the road, put it back into park and hit power. i realize i hit the wrong button but why should such an easy mistake almost cause a fatality. if not for the moon i might have drove off the road and into a telephone pole. i would highly recommend they move the power button to the steering column, similar to where a key would be located. for gods sake, don't put a multiple click button next to another multiple click button that has such significance in the outcome of your life. and for god sakes, don't turn off the headlights if the computer detects i'm going 65 and knows via the sensor that it's dark outside! there are multiple complaints about this at various web sites, including.... http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?17249-power-button-too-close-to-drive-mode-button! somebody is going to be have a fatality soon if this is not fixed.
ENGINE
12/03/20128001
 I was on my way home, it was very dark outside on a two lane highway going 60-60mph and wanted to switch over to electric hold mode so i could save the electric battery for city driving. i glanced over and hit the drive mode button three times thinking i was going to send the drive mode down to hold. instead what i did was powered off the car by hitting the power button. (the two buttons are right next to each other and both require multiple presses to work). so there i was, the car went black inside and the headlights turned off outside while i was going 65mpg on a two lane highway (one lane each direction). thank god there was nobody around or close to me and thankfully there was just enough ambient light from the moon to see where i was. i hit the power button to try turning it back on, nothing. luckily the hazard switch remained lit and i was able to turn my hazards on. i had to stop on the side of the road, put it back into park and hit power. i realize i hit the wrong button but why should such an easy mistake almost cause a fatality. if not for the moon i might have drove off the road and into a telephone pole. i would highly recommend they move the power button to the steering column, similar to where a key would be located. for gods sake, don't put a multiple click button next to another multiple click button that has such significance in the outcome of your life. and for god sakes, don't turn off the headlights if the computer detects i'm going 65 and knows via the sensor that it's dark outside! there are multiple complaints about this at various web sites, including.... http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?17249-power-button-too-close-to-drive-mode-button! somebody is going to be have a fatality soon if this is not fixed. *tr
12/03/2012800
 I was on my way home, it was very dark outside on a two lane highway going 60-60mph and wanted to switch over to electric hold mode so i could save the electric battery for city driving. i glanced over and hit the drive mode button three times thinking i was going to send the drive mode down to hold. instead what i did was powered off the car by hitting the power button. (the two buttons are right next to each other and both require multiple presses to work). so there i was, the car went black inside and the headlights turned off outside while i was going 65mpg on a two lane highway (one lane each direction). thank god there was nobody around or close to me and thankfully there was just enough ambient light from the moon to see where i was. i hit the power button to try turning it back on, nothing. luckily the hazard switch remained lit and i was able to turn my hazards on. i had to stop on the side of the road, put it back into park and hit power. i realize i hit the wrong button but why should such an easy mistake almost cause a fatality. if not for the moon i might have drove off the road and into a telephone pole. i would highly recommend they move the power button to the steering column, similar to where a key would be located. for gods sake, don't put a multiple click button next to another multiple click button that has such significance in the outcome of your life. and for god sakes, don't turn off the headlights if the computer detects i'm going 65 and knows via the sensor that it's dark outside! there are multiple complaints about this at various web sites, including.... http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?17249-power-button-too-close-to-drive-mode-button! somebody is going to be have a fatality soon if this is not fixed.
SERVICE BRAKES
12/01/20121000
 Antilock feature of brakes will not engage on ice/snow unless brakes are slammed hard. at least three times, i have slid slowly through an attempted stop. it has also occurred twice while gently breaking while traveling downhill. the wheels lock up and vehicle goes into a slide. it continues to happen, but now i know to slam the brake pedal, and the antilock feature will then operate and terminate the skid and stop the vehicle.
STEERING
12/23/20128001
 At any speed over 57mph, if you leave the steering wheel centered (such as on a long straightaway) the steering wheel will lock in that center position. it takes significant force to pull the car out of that center locked position. chevrolet is aware of this issue, but has so far been un-willing to fix it in my vehicle (they will not send the part to the dealership). *tr
12/23/2012800
 At any speed over 57mph, if you leave the steering wheel centered (such as on a long straightaway) the steering wheel will lock in that center position. it takes significant force to pull the car out of that center locked position. chevrolet is aware of this issue, but has so far been un-willing to fix it in my vehicle (they will not send the part to the dealership).
STRUCTURE - BODY - TRUNK LID
09/03/2012321
 When i was purchasing the car, the salesman was demonstrating the emergency trunk safety release. when he pulled on it, the release device broke off. he told me to return after a few weeks to get a replacement. i just saw the story about lexus having similar issues. it's easy to get into the main cabin from the trunk in the volt, so it isn't a real safety issue, but it should be tracked since i'm sure chevrolet uses similar devices in their other cars. *tr
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
02/11/20132176
 Goodyear assurance tires. 2nd flat at low speeds in two months. car tire just blows out immediately going flat. no known object was driven over, flattens out instantly. second time in two months this scenario plays out. should this have been at a greater speed, the scenario would have been far worst.
12/03/2012800
 I was on my way home, it was very dark outside on a two lane highway going 60-60mph and wanted to switch over to electric hold mode so i could save the electric battery for city driving. i glanced over and hit the drive mode button three times thinking i was going to send the drive mode down to hold. instead what i did was powered off the car by hitting the power button. (the two buttons are right next to each other and both require multiple presses to work). so there i was, the car went black inside and the headlights turned off outside while i was going 65mpg on a two lane highway (one lane each direction). thank god there was nobody around or close to me and thankfully there was just enough ambient light from the moon to see where i was. i hit the power button to try turning it back on, nothing. luckily the hazard switch remained lit and i was able to turn my hazards on. i had to stop on the side of the road, put it back into park and hit power. i realize i hit the wrong button but why should such an easy mistake almost cause a fatality. if not for the moon i might have drove off the road and into a telephone pole. i would highly recommend they move the power button to the steering column, similar to where a key would be located. for gods sake, don't put a multiple click button next to another multiple click button that has such significance in the outcome of your life. and for god sakes, don't turn off the headlights if the computer detects i'm going 65 and knows via the sensor that it's dark outside! there are multiple complaints about this at various web sites, including.... http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?17249-power-button-too-close-to-drive-mode-button! somebody is going to be have a fatality soon if this is not fixed.
09/03/201232
 When i was purchasing the car, the salesman was demonstrating the emergency trunk safety release. when he pulled on it, the release device broke off. he told me to return after a few weeks to get a replacement. i just saw the story about lexus having similar issues. it's easy to get into the main cabin from the trunk in the volt, so it isn't a real safety issue, but it should be tracked since i'm sure chevrolet uses similar devices in their other cars.