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Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2019 Chevrolet Volt

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 34 safety complaints about the 2019 Chevrolet Volt with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the seat belts and the hydraulic brakes.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 16 complaints, 47% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 21,750 miles, the median across the 6 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers December 2018 to August 2025 · How this is counted

What is on file

34 complaints on file

34

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 16 · 47%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 · 32%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 · 24%
ENGINE 3 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 · 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 · 6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 · 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 · 3%
SEATS 1 · 3%
STEERING 1 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 · 3%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 34.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2022 at 13.

16 12 8 4
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2025.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Chevrolet VOLT, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 5 HB FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 9.3%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

18V673000 · September 26, 2018

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.

General Motors LLC · up to 15,800 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

18V576000 · August 30, 2018

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
The risk
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

General Motors LLC · up to 210,628 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

2 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module

PE23022

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened November 29, 2023 · closed March 3, 2025

the electrical system

On November 29, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE23022 to investigate allegations of a loss of motive power, including a stall, reduced power state, and/or a no start condition due to the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) in model year (MY) 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt passenger car vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The BECM is located within the high voltage electric vehicle (EV) battery pack and monitors the temperature, current, and voltage of the high voltage battery cell groups. GM stated that the root cause was identified as an internal failure leading to a loss of communication within the BECM and does not pose a risk to motor vehicle safety. GM further stated that the failure cannot result in a complete stall, only a reduced power mode, no start condition, or a no charge condition. GM additionally stated that if these conditions occur, the driver will be warned via a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and/or a reduced-propulsion message in the Driver Information Center (DIC). Data received and analyzed by ODI from all sources indicates that nearly all related BECM failures caused conditions aligning with GM’s predicted outcomes. Despite the large number of warranty claims, nearly all failures were not safety-related, i.e., not a stall or reduced power mode. ODI isaware of a single minor crash and no injuries or deaths. In March 2024, GM issued Special Coverage N232432680, which was mailed to consumers, addressing BECM failures in certain MY 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. This special coverage provides an extension of the warranty coverage for the BECM from 8 years / 100,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles for all 2016-2018 Chevrolet Volts. Additionally, GM stated that replacement components are sourced from a different supplier and not susceptible to the failure. In view of the Special Coverage issued by GM, the existing warranty coverage already in place, and the low number of safety-related occurrences, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation (PE). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed

Was approaching an intersection with a stoplight that was red. Another car stopped at light. Applied brakes, but car slowed down only slightly, no matter how hard the brake pedal was applied. It was like braking on black ice, even though the cars wheels were still going around. Rear ended the car at the light. Suspect that computer was telling the car to try to charge the battery using the forward motion of the car instead of stopping the car. All air bags deployed. Injuries were limited to bruises, abrasions, and general body soreness. Vehicle currently in possession of Allstate Ins. Have requested that brake system be inspected, and computer info be downloaded. Car was totaled. No

NHTSA complaint 11464877, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed

I was in stop and go traffic; when the car in front of me stopped suddenly, I tried to brake. I was far enough back that I should have been able to stop in plenty of time. My brake pedal froze and would not depress (brake pump failure). There were no warning light prior. The car has less than 28,000 miles and relatively new tires.

NHTSA complaint 11468198. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

crash · towed

Vehicle lost propulsion and all power mid turn at approximately 45mph. Powe steering and assisted brakes were gone. Conditions were rainy, resulting in single car crash. Car did not restart. No codes present. Occurred again after repairs at 70mph on highway. Codes P0AC4 and P0C0E indicating Drive Motor Power Inverter B. Despite being under warranty, GM cannot repair, and has no replacement parts. GM has ignored messages requesting buyback per federal law.

NHTSA complaint 11558106. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

35,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while the vehicle was shifted to park(P), the message to “Shift to Park” remained displayed. The contact was unable to turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that for approximately 10 minutes, the gear shifter was shifted out of and back into park to be able to turn off the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA complaint 11680128. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

80,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the battery high-voltage disconnect relay. The vehicle was not repaired due to a lack of part availability. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the manufacturer confirmed that the part was on backorder. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA complaint 11655912. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
When shifted into park, persistent error message that car was not in park. Unable to shut off the car despite numerous manipulations of shift. Few similar preceeding incidents were resolved by shift to drive then back to park. Goes to dealer tomorrow. Car running endlessly is dangerous. What if I could not stay with the car, or the car was on the local ferry. No one has inspected it yet. First time problem occured was in November 2024. Most recent more serious problem occured Friday. I am afraid to use the car since, and have not driven it since.

NHTSA complaint 11630944. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS
Driver seat frame has a loud squeak during normal operation of vehicle. Driver seat is a critical safety item, and my concern is that the seat frame has a manufacturing defect.

NHTSA complaint 11629041. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Two incidents related to the powertrain. 1) In December, 2023, the EV battery was drained and the car would not start based on the gas motor. The dealer fixed it in our recollection. 2) On [XXX], I was driving the car out of a Detroit Convention Center parking lot, going up the ramp when the car, with no warning, completely lost power and stopped. The message on the display said "Powertrain loss" or "Powertrain lost." I wish I had taken a photo of it, but I was panicked. Cars were backed up behind me on the ramp out of the parking garage, honking and having to back up. I tried turning the car off and on, googling the problem, and was about to call a tow truck when after 12-13 minutes, I was

NHTSA complaint 11595761, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Mileage: 38523 Engine Not Available Service Soon Propulsion Power Is Reduced Fuel Range Low: 3/4 Tank full of gas [XXX] - I was driving Northbound on [XXX] South of Castlewood in Northern California. I was driving 70 mph when I suddenly received the error messages above on my dashboard screen. The vehicle immediately had power from 70 mph quickly going below 59 mph. The traffic was extremely high and I had to quickly use my hazard flashes and carefully maneuver to the right shoulder of the frwy. The vehicle lost power so quickly I could have easily been rear ended or in a serious vehicle accident. The dealer test drove the vehicle and stated they received the errors at 95 mph. The

NHTSA complaint 11592645, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Volt

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2018 225 2 —
2017 698 0 —
2016 169 1 —
2015 44 1 —
2014 93 0 —
2013 308 3 —
2012 245 2 —
2011 49 1 —

Other 2019 Chevrolet models

Silverado 1500 1,085 Traverse 407 Equinox 302 Malibu 191 Blazer 186 Bolt EV 178 Colorado 150 Corvette 148

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst