The most-reported Volt run is 1G1RC6S5XHU (2017 builds) with 34 complaints, 6.8× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 26% of reports; 2017 is the worst model year at 15.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for Volt model years 2011–2019.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Chevrolet Volt has 361 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Volt complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G1RC6S5XHU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1G1RC6S54HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1G1RC6S50HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1G1RC6S56HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1G1RD6S57HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1G1RC6S59HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1G1RD6S55HU•••••• | 2017 | — | 1 | |
| 1G1RC6S52HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1G1RB6S52HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1G1RC6S53HU•••••• | 2017 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G1RC6S57HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — | |
| 1G1RD6S51HU•••••• | 2017 | — | — |
Each of the other 349 Volt runs has 19 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 67 Volt VINs so far, most often 2017, 2019, 2014 builds; 6 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Chevrolet Volt the gap between build years is 9.4×: a 2017 car draws 15.1 complaints per run, a 2015 one 1.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 34 | 20 | 3 | |
| 2018 | 224 | 43 | 4 | |
| 2017 | 695 | 46 | 8 | |
| 2016 | 163 | 32 | 2 | |
| 2015 | 42 | 26 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 92 | 55 | 5 | |
| 2013 | 302 | 74 | 7 | |
| 2012 | 222 | 54 | 4 | |
| 2011 | 45 | 15 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 2017 at 15.1 complaints per run; lightest is 2015 at 1.6.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 26% of everything Chevrolet Volt owners report: Electrical System, 685 of 1,819 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 14 | 9 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 2 | — | |
| Engine | 5 | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 8 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 | 5 | |
| Service Brakes | 16 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 8 recall campaigns on the Chevrolet Volt; the 6 below cover build years 2011 to 2019. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 15V145000 | Electrical System:ignition | 2011–2013 |
| 18V576000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper | 2018–2019 |
| 18V673000 | Seat Belts:rear/other | 2018–2019 |
| 17V621000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2016 |
| 15V442000 | Steering | 2015 |
| 18V397000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | 2013 |
15V145000 was opened in 2015 on cars built from 2011: 4 years on the road before the recall.
The Volt against its rivals
The Volt draws 5 complaints per production run; the Ford Focus 9.2, the Mitsubishi Lancer 2.2 and the Cadillac ATS 1.3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Volt | 1,819 | 361 | 2% | |
| Ford Focus | 19,175 | 2,091 | 4.7% | |
| Mitsubishi Lancer | 744 | 339 | 9.5% | |
| Cadillac ATS | 365 | 275 | 4.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,819 reports on the Chevrolet Volt, 2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Chevrolet Volt | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,819 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 36 (2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 14 (0.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 32 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 66% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Chevrolet Volt share of that is 1,819 complaints over 361 runs, 0.16% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Chevrolet Volt VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,819 NHTSA complaints from 361 Volt runs and 8 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Volt production run has the most complaints?
1G1RC6S5XHU, a 2017 build, with 34 complaints. The typical Volt run has 5.
Which Volt years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2017 is heaviest at 15.1 complaints per run and 2015 lightest at 1.6.
Does the Volt get more complaints than the Ford Focus?
No: 5 complaints per production run for the Volt against 9.2 for the Ford Focus.
How many Volt complaints involve a crash?
2% of 1,819 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 14 involved a fire.
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