2015 Chevrolet Volt Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 Chevrolet Volt, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1826.5%
- Fuel system1014.7%
- Engine811.8%
- Airbags710.3%
- Powertrain (other)68.8%
- Brakes68.8%
- Driver assistance34.4%
- Interior & seats22.9%
- Body & structure22.9%
- Tires & wheels22.9%
- Visibility22.9%
- Steering11.5%
- Suspension11.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2015 Chevy Volt has been experiencing ongoing mechanical and electrical issues, including random power loss, reduced propulsion warnings, and sudden vehicle shutdowns with no prior indication. These problems pose a serious safety concern, as the car can lose power unexpectedly while driving. Despite these issues, GM has refused to service the vehicle or unlock necessary components because they no longer manufacture or support the required parts. As a result, I am left with an unsafe and unreliable vehicle with no available remedy from the manufacturer. This is forcing me to trade in the vehicle at a loss
The car has not been able to charge since April of last year. I have taken it to the dealer to diagnose but they want to charge $200 per hour to diagnose. They already suggested that the charge receptacle should be replaced. I purchased the part and replaced it myself. I have tried asking if it could be the BECM like with other model years and they said they could only determine that after testing and replacing parts. The P1EE6 error code suggests that the BECM might need to be replaced and/or reprogrammed. There have been several times that I have experienced a loss of propulsion error while driving. I know there is a safety bulletin for the 2016-2019 models year that I think should apply to other model years.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2015 Chevy Volt has been experiencing ongoing mechanical and electrical issues, including random power loss, reduced propulsion warnings, and sudden vehicle shutdowns with no prior indication. These problems pose a serious safety concern, as the car can lose power unexpectedly while driving. Despite these issues, GM has refused to service the vehicle or unlock necessary components because they no longer manufacture or support the required parts. As a result, I am left with an unsafe and unreliable vehicle with no available remedy from the manufacturer. This is forcing me to trade in the vehicle at a loss
The car has not been able to charge since April of last year. I have taken it to the dealer to diagnose but they want to charge $200 per hour to diagnose. They already suggested that the charge receptacle should be replaced. I purchased the part and replaced it myself. I have tried asking if it could be the BECM like with other model years and they said they could only determine that after testing and replacing parts. The P1EE6 error code suggests that the BECM might need to be replaced and/or reprogrammed. There have been several times that I have experienced a loss of propulsion error while driving. I know there is a safety bulletin for the 2016-2019 models year that I think should apply to other model years.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2015 Chevy Volt has been experiencing ongoing mechanical and electrical issues, including random power loss, reduced propulsion warnings, and sudden vehicle shutdowns with no prior indication. These problems pose a serious safety concern, as the car can lose power unexpectedly while driving. Despite these issues, GM has refused to service the vehicle or unlock necessary components because they no longer manufacture or support the required parts. As a result, I am left with an unsafe and unreliable vehicle with no available remedy from the manufacturer. This is forcing me to trade in the vehicle at a loss
This car is connected to Bouncie a device that detects when a car turns on and off, the speed, if break or acceletor are stepped on forcefully and any trips. Recently the device is detecting the engine is turned off but the car is showing no signs of struggling and its in full motion. This is new, I've tested the device in another car for two weeks hoping it was the device but I had no issues on the other vehicle. The images is just one of several occasions. The image shows green dot where car starts and red where car is turned off. However, I never turned off my car at the Demaree Rd that day. I feel like the car is losing power and starts back up while in motion.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Service airbag alert popped up
The passenger presence sensor in the front passenger seat is malfunctioning and spare parts to replace it are not available from the manufacturer. The Chevrolet dealership has inspected and verified this issue, and the system is available for inspection upon request. This is the same issue that NHTSA investigated in the 2013 model described below. This sensor failure results in a check airbag signal and prevents the deployment of the passenger frontal and knee air bags, posing risk of serious injury to passengers. The PSS may develop a malfunction due to bunching of the sensor mat in the seat trench. The bunching of the sensor mat could cause the mat to repeatedly fold in the same location. Over time, the repeated folding can cause an increased resistance in the sensor mat. An increased resistance in the PSS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the air bag system diagnostic. If this fault is detected, a diagnostic trouble code will be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag MIL will illuminate. Further, if the fault is detected, the passenger frontal and knee air bags will be suppressed in a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment regardless of the nature of size of the occupant of the front passenger seat.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING ON 55 MPH STRAIGHT TWO LANE ROAD WHEN CAR AHEAD SLOWED. TO RECOVER ENERGY TO THE BATTERY, DROPPED FROM "D" TO "L" IN GEAR SELECTION RATHER THAN USING BRAKES (WAS PLENTY OF DISTANCE, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO COAST). CAR IN FRONT TURNED OFF TO RIGHT. I ADVANCED SELECTOR TO DRIVE, BUT OVERSHOT INTO NEUTRAL. REALIZED MY ERROR WHEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR YIELDED NO SPEED INCREASE. PUT SELECTOR INTO "D", VERIFIED VISUALLY AND PRESSED ACCELERATOR WITHOUT RESULT. VERIFIED AGAIN VISUALLY THAT SELECTOR IN D. ADVANCED DELIBERATELY INTO N, THEN BACK TO D, THEN REAPPLIED ACCELERATOR WITH FUNCTIONAL RESULT THIS TIME. I AM A PE WITH SIEMENS VDO, RETIRED. SINCE VEHICLE IS SINGLE SPEED "TRANSMISSION", I ASSUME COMPUTER GLITCH
ON 8/30/19, I STARTED THE VEHICLE TO FIND THE CENTER CONSOLE IN THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY BLANK AND THE COMPUTER CONTROLLING THE SCREEN IS FAILING TO BOOT. AS A RESULT, THE OPERATOR CANNOT CONTROL THE AMPERAGE AT WHICH THE VEHICLE CHARGES RESULTING IN A REDUCED CHARGE/RANGE. ADDITIONALLY, THE VOICE COMMAND, STEREO, CLIMATE CONTROL AND REVERSE CAMERA ARE INOPERATIVE. FURTHER, ALL VEHICLE CONTROLS ASSOCIATED WITH WHEN TO CHARGE (CHARGE DELAY), SECURITY FEATURES SUCH AS AUDIBLE HORN WHEN LOCKING, WHICH DOORS TO UNLOCK WHEN UNLOCKING VEHICLE, NAVIGATION AND FUEL EFFICIENCY INFORMATION ARE INACCESSIBLE. RESEARCHING SIMILAR ISSUES, HAS RESULTED IN IDENTIFYING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES WITH THIS CENTER CONSOLE. THE VEHICLE HAS A 5 YEAR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY; HOWEVER, CHEVROLET DOES NOT ASSOCIATE THIS KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE POWERTRAIN, INSTEAD ASSOCIATING THE COMPONENT PART WITH THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WHICH IS COVERED UNDER A LESSER 3YEAR/36K MILE WARRANTY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
A "service brakes" warning came up when I was parked in a parking lot and immediately afterwards the brakes stopped working when I was reversing in the parking lot and I almost backed up into another car. I had my car towed to Paradise Chevrolet and they diagnosed the problem as a faulty "brake pressure modulator valve" (BPMV) that needs to be replaced. I saw that there is a recall for the 2012 Chevy Volt for the same issue, faulty BPMV.
Driving 75mph with cruise control during moderate traffic on freeway about 30 minutes after starting the car, my Volt shut off. There was a jolt of the car that felt like strong breaking and my dash along with everything electrical shut off for about 2 seconds then kicked back on with "Service Theft Deterent" on dash. I could not break or steer the vehicle. I had to come to a rolling stop on shoulder of freeway. Luckily I was in toll lane #1 next to the shoulder or I might have been in a wreck with other cars. I have a check engine light on now and a scheduled appointment at Chevy dealer made prior to today for tomorrow. I have had an issue with my Volt not charging at home/work for a few weeks. No breakers pop, the vehicle just wont complete the charge. The battery was replaced a week ago, driven over 250 miles with new battery, and it is still not charging properly. I have no messages on my vehicle regarding battery, engine, etc. Just the check engine light lit up.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Car experienced sudden loss of power while driving. Warning appeared 'Propulsion Power Reduced.' Was able to continue driving short distance home and parked. Attempted to recharge battery but it would not accept charge. I was able to restart car again with "Propulsion Power Reduced' and drove to dealer. Diagnosis: Body Control Module (BCM) failed. Unit was replaced. Vehicle drove normally for short period and issue repeated within one day. Returned to dealer. Issue resolved after second attempt.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION ALERT FAILED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT COLLISION ALERT SYSTEM WAS WORKING; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DISAGREED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The passenger presence sensor in the front passenger seat is malfunctioning and spare parts to replace it are not available from the manufacturer. The Chevrolet dealership has inspected and verified this issue, and the system is available for inspection upon request. This is the same issue that NHTSA investigated in the 2013 model described below. This sensor failure results in a check airbag signal and prevents the deployment of the passenger frontal and knee air bags, posing risk of serious injury to passengers. The PSS may develop a malfunction due to bunching of the sensor mat in the seat trench. The bunching of the sensor mat could cause the mat to repeatedly fold in the same location. Over time, the repeated folding can cause an increased resistance in the sensor mat. An increased resistance in the PSS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the air bag system diagnostic. If this fault is detected, a diagnostic trouble code will be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag MIL will illuminate. Further, if the fault is detected, the passenger frontal and knee air bags will be suppressed in a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment regardless of the nature of size of the occupant of the front passenger seat.
The service airbag request keeps showing up and I was told it was the Passenger presence module and sensor. This puts people at risk of the airbag not deploying correctly.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN IT RAINS OR THE CAR GETS WET, THERE WILL BE WATER THAT RUNS DOWN FROM THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE INTO THE FLOORBOARD CAUSING THE CARPET TO GET SOAKING WET AS WELL AS THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT RUN UNDERNEATH THE CARPET. IT APPEARS THE SEALANT UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER THE COWL IS FAULTY CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE CAB. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED, NOT TO MENTION THAT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS GETTING WET COULD POTENTIAL CAUSE A FIRE OR HAZARDOUS SITUATION. ALSO I TOOK IT BY A CHEVY DEALERSHIP BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING IN THE ALLOTTED DIAGNOSTIC TIME WITHOUT HAVE TO CHARGE ME MORE TO REMOVE SEATS AND CARPET. I DECLINED.
2015 CHEVROLET VOLT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. *LD *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
On all (4) tires, there is cracking in the sidewalls in a line about 2 inches above the tire bead around each tire. Approximately 19K miles on these tires. Manufacture and supplier/seller (Priority Tire) both sent multiple photos of issue, tread depth, etc. and then denied any warranty on the tires due to 'Improper Usage' (reply below) I asked the supplier/seller and the manufacture what that means and no reply. Tires are consistently rotated by myself and tire pressures consistently maintained. I am [XXX] and don't race or off road my Volt. This could be a potential safety issue if one or more tires were to fail unexpectedly. Please see photos and thank you for your help. Hello, We are reaching out regarding your warranty request. Unfortunately, the manufacturer/supplier declined your warranty request, as they inspected the issue, and determined that the cause of damage on your tire is improper usage. We are sorry that we could not help you any further. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thank you for your understanding, and once again, apologies for the inconvenience. Dave B Customer Service Representative INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2015 CHEVROLET VOLT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF ENGINE WHILE DRIVING. *LD *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
IF THE EXTERIOR THERMOSTAT DETECTS THE TEMPERATURE IS AT OR BELOW 37 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THE A/C COMPRESSOR WILL TURN OFF AND ALL OF THE WINDOWS (WINDSHIELD INCLUDED) WILL FOG UP. RESULTING IN EXTREMELY REDUCED VISIBILITY. IF THE EXTERIOR THERMOSTAT DETECTS THE TEMPERATURE OF 38 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR HIGHER, THE A/C COMPRESSOR WILL ENABLE AND THE WINDOWS WOULD IMMEDIATELY CLEAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ROLL THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS UP OR DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD A SERIOUS CLUNK IN THE FRONT END SINCE PURCHASING JUNE 1, 2015. THIS HAPPENS WHEN HITTING BUMPS AND ROAD IRREGULARITIES AND ONLY ON THE LEFT SIDE. IT TOOK UNTIL SEPTEMBER 16TH TO GET IT INTO THE SHOP AND IT'S BEEN THERE 49 DAYS NOW. CHEVROLET IS SAYING THIS IS 'NORMAL NOISE' AND MY CONTENTION IS IT'S A PROBLEM OR A DEFECT OR WORSE - A SAFETY ISSUE. I FIND IT FUNNY (NOT REALLY) THAT THEY'VE BEEN TELLING ME ALL ALONG THAT THE CRUZE USES SAME COMPONENTS. NOW THE CRUZE FOR 14 AND 15, AND THE 14 VOLT IS RECALLED. FOR A TIE ROD PROBLEM AND REPLACEMENT OF STEERING GEAR. NOT A NUT OR BOLT HAS BEEN TOUCHED BY THE PEOPLE LOOKING AT MY CAR, WHY ARE THEY SO CONCERNED UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING THEY DON'T KNOW, THAT THEY AREN'T TELLING ME. 49 DAYS WITHOUT MY CAR NOW, 'EVERYTHING IS FINE' IS WHAT I KEEP BEING TOLD, SO WHO IS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY? CERTAINLY NOT CHEVROLET. THERE'S A PROBLEM, AND SOMEONE, CHEVROLET, NEEDS TO MAKE IT RIGHT!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD A SERIOUS CLUNK IN THE FRONT END SINCE PURCHASING JUNE 1, 2015. THIS HAPPENS WHEN HITTING BUMPS AND ROAD IRREGULARITIES AND ONLY ON THE LEFT SIDE. IT TOOK UNTIL SEPTEMBER 16TH TO GET IT INTO THE SHOP AND IT'S BEEN THERE 49 DAYS NOW. CHEVROLET IS SAYING THIS IS 'NORMAL NOISE' AND MY CONTENTION IS IT'S A PROBLEM OR A DEFECT OR WORSE - A SAFETY ISSUE. I FIND IT FUNNY (NOT REALLY) THAT THEY'VE BEEN TELLING ME ALL ALONG THAT THE CRUZE USES SAME COMPONENTS. NOW THE CRUZE FOR 14 AND 15, AND THE 14 VOLT IS RECALLED. FOR A TIE ROD PROBLEM AND REPLACEMENT OF STEERING GEAR. NOT A NUT OR BOLT HAS BEEN TOUCHED BY THE PEOPLE LOOKING AT MY CAR, WHY ARE THEY SO CONCERNED UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING THEY DON'T KNOW, THAT THEY AREN'T TELLING ME. 49 DAYS WITHOUT MY CAR NOW, 'EVERYTHING IS FINE' IS WHAT I KEEP BEING TOLD, SO WHO IS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY? CERTAINLY NOT CHEVROLET. THERE'S A PROBLEM, AND SOMEONE, CHEVROLET, NEEDS TO MAKE IT RIGHT!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .