2011 Chevrolet VOLT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
72,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 49 complaints (44.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 22.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Seats | 2 |
Electrical System: 22; Air Bags: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Engine: 4; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Steering: 3; Seats: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 7; 2018: 5; 2019: 8; 2020: 7; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10452948 · 2012-03-26 (March 26, 2012)
OUR VOLT WAS LEFT OVERNIGHT TO CHARGE USING THE SUPPLIED 120V LEVEL ONE CHARGE CORD THAT COMES WITH THE VEHICLE (THEREFORE I CONSIDER IT PART OF THE VEHICLE.) IN THE MORNING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHARGED -- AT SOME POINT DURING THE NIGHT THE CHARGE FAILED AFTER THE BATTERY ACCUMULATED JUST 5 MILES OF ESTIMATED RANGE. THE SOCKET INTO WHICH THE CHARGE CORD HAD BEEN PLUGGED, THE RECEPTACLE OF A KILL-A-WATT CHARGE MEASURING DEVICE, WAS SCORCHED AND PARTIALLY MELTED. THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SMALL ELECTRICAL FIRE AT THE POINT WHERE THE VOLT'S CORD PLU…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,482 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10556909 · 2013-12-21 (December 21, 2013)
AS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, WHEN RUNNING ON BATTERY, IT IS DIFFICULT TO KNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT RUNNING. UPON RETURNING HOME ONE DAY, I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND PLUGGED IT IN. I DIDN'T REALIZE AT THE TIME, THAT I HAD NOT TURNED OFF THE VOLT BY PRESSING THE BLUE POWER SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD. THE NEXT MORNING, I CAME INTO MY ENCLOSED GARAGE AND COULD HEAR THE VOLT'S GAS POWERED GENERATOR RUNNING. I LOOKED AT THE DASH DISPLAY AND COULD SEE THE VOLT HAD NOT CHARGED, HAD USED UP ALL REMAINING BATTERY, AND HAD BEEN RUNNING ON GAS GENERATOR FOR S…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,648 miles reported. Look up ODI 10556909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10573309 · 2014-03-19 (March 19, 2014)
THE CAR HAS PROCEEDED TO HAVE MULTIPLE ISSUES, WITH THE MOST PREDOMINANT AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE BEING AN AIRBAG FAILURE...TWICE. OTHER ISSUES: RADIO, DOOR LOCKS, AND PARK ASSIST ENGAGE/DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN. BRAKES NOT CATCHING CAUSING CAR TO ROLL. POWER FAILURE AND WON'T START. APRIL 2013, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED AT A RATE OF SPEED OVER 45MPH. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY; CAUSED PERSONAL INJURY. GM SENT OUT AN INSPECTOR, AND PULLED THE DATA. RESPONSE BACK WAS ?NO EVENT RECORDED? AND WAS DISMISSED. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING HAPPENED, ESP…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,606 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11469570 · 2022-06-16 (June 16, 2022)
Several times over the 2 years I have owned this vehicle while driving an almost complete loss of braking occurs with a service notice for the ABS system. If you turn off the ignition and restart it the braking works fine. I am in the process of having the Electronic Brake Control Module - GM (84070136) and the Brake Pressure Modulator Valve - GM (23283683) replaced. i believe that there is a design flaw in this system in that a problem of the ABS should not eliminating the ability to stop the vehicle. This is costing me $3500, but the point is…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11469570 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10402364 · 2011-05-23 (May 23, 2011)
THE REAR END OF THIS CAR FEELS AS IF IT IS SLIPPING OUT WHEN YOU ENTER A CURVE AT 60 TO 65 MPH. GM CALLS IT SENSITIVE STEERING BUT I CALL IT SCARY AND UNSAFE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 55 miles reported. Look up ODI 10402364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577125 · 2014-04-03 (April 3, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HE DROVE OVER THE RUMBLE STRIPS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND THE POWER STEERING TO STOP WORKING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER AND THE CHECK POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577125 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10956605 · 2017-02-23 (February 23, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE B-BEARING JOINT DISINTEGRATED IN THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE LOUD NOISES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC B-BEARING JOINT WITH A METAL ONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11566740 · 2024-01-20 (January 20, 2024)
'11 Chevy Volt hybrid was daily driver of 100+ miles, multiple trips both highway and city for last 2 1/2 months. Breaks and rotors have been replaced all the way around, fresh oil changes as needed and filters. Warning on dash "Service High Voltage Charging System", ”Service Airbag" and check engine light have been on since I've owned it (Oct. 23). When plug car in it doesn't charge, but the EV charges while driving. Car generally switches back and forth from EV to ICE without issues. No other issues have been noted. 1/18/24 Start car and dri…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11566740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11585428 · 2024-04-26 (April 26, 2024)
Driver display is blank (no speed, gear position, odometer, gas tank, etc), with the exception of some warning icons like tire pressure and passenger seat belt status. Does no return after turning off power.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11585428 at NHTSA ↗