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2011 Chevrolet Volt Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering ignition. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Propulsion power reduced warning and deceleration.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Campaign #15V145000 · Mar 13, 2015

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Volt vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, to June 26, 2013. If the driver exits the vehicle without turning off the electrical system, the battery may drain low enough that the gasoline engine will automatically start itself to recharge the electric battery.

Risk: If the engine runs for an extended period of time in an enclosed space, there may be a build up of carbon monoxide, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine management software to limit the time that the stationary vehicle can be left in the ON position, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14617.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

Reported to NHTSA

Propulsion power reduced warning and deceleration

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2019-06

“PROPULSION POWER REDUCED WARNING HAPPENING OFTEN. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SW REFLASH REQUIRED. IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR AFTER THIS REFLASH. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THIS OCCURS WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY AND I CANNOT GET UP TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11220305
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE "PROPULSION POWER LOW DECREASE SPEED" MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE SPEED AUTOMATICALLY DECREASED TO 20 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11103810
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10533692

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of braking and ABS-related brake malfunction

SERVICE BRAKES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2022-06 → 2025-08

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11469570
“I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake. When the light turned green, I released the brake and the car suddenly accelerated forward on its own, without me touching the accelerator. As soon as the car surged forward, I immediately pressed the brake pedal hard to”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11678156

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument cluster display blackout while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

16 NHTSA complaints · 2017-05 → 2024-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11329552
“DRIVER'S INSTRUMENT PANEL (LCD DISPLAY) BLACKOUT. THE LCD DISPLAY SIMPLY DID NOT COME ON AS IT NORMALLY DID WHEN I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE. I AM DRIVING "BLIND" CAN'T TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING, HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT, CAN'T SEE IF THE TURN SIGNALS ARE BLINKING, DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10992579
“DRIVER DISPLAY SHUTS OFF WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING USUALLY IN COLD WEATHER. TEMPERATURE USUALLY AROUND 0 DEGREES CELSIUS AND BELOW. CONSISTENTLY EVERY MORNING AT COLD START 1-2 MINS INTO DRIVE. THIS RESULTS IN NO SPEEDOMETER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11074599

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger seat airbag sensor warning light

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2021-08

“THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS TURNED AND AIRBAG SENSOR IS BAD. PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT ILLUMINATE AND WORK FOR SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11360869
“AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED DUE TO A FAILED SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HAD TO REPLACE WITH A USED SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11257693
“SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AT STARTUP. ITS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR IN SEAT, SOUNDS LIKE ITS THE PRESSURE PLATE TO ACTIVATE AIR BAG IS BAD. SOUNDS LIKE A COMMON THING WITH THE VOLT?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11191100

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Charge cord and outlet overheating

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2012-03 → 2021-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10452948
“IN THE 6 YEARS THAT I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE, THE POWER CORD HAS BURN THROUGH 2 TIMES AND THE RECEPTACLE IN WHICH IT WAS PLUGGED WAS BURNED OUT 4 TIMES. I'M FORTUNATE MY HOUSE HASN'T CAUGHT FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11024182
“Charging station over heated and the plug burnt my wall plug”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11424711

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

1 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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