2012 Chevrolet Volt reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 358
- 68 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- AIR BAGS
- 84 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 2
- see below
- Reported harm
- 11 reported crashes · 15 injuries · 2 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#1,456
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Chevrolet median
+50
median 308 across 473 Chevrolet records
Vs 2010-2014
+66
median 292 complaints in 613 records
Top component share
23%
Air Bags: 84 complaints
What owners report fails — 2012 Chevrolet Volt
- AIR BAGS 84
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 78
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 37
- ENGINE 26
- SERVICE BRAKES 23
2 recalls on record for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt
- NHTSA 15V145000 · 2015 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION If the engine runs for an extended period of time in an enclosed space, there may be a build up of carbon monoxide, incr
- NHTSA 13V271000 · 2013 · SERVICE BRAKES If the brakes lock up it could cause a loss of steering control and/or a lengthened distance needed to stop the vehicle,
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2012 Chevrolet Volt
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2012 Chevrolet Volt units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Volt reliable?
NHTSA has 358 consumer complaints on record for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt and 2 recalls. The most-reported problem area is air bags (84 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2012 Chevrolet Volt units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
Owners most often report problems with: air bags (84), electrical system (78), fuel/propulsion system (37), engine (26). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.