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2014 Chevrolet Volt Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2014 Chevrolet Volt has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Brake pedal loss with ABS and StabiliTrak warnings.” 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.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Chevrolet Volt.

Reported to NHTSA

Brake pedal loss with ABS and StabiliTrak warnings

SERVICE BRAKES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2019-04

“INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL ON CITY STREETS. REACHED APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AS I APPROACHED HE INTERSECTION, WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, AND NORMAL BRAKING FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10604748
“WHILE BACKING UP AT LOW SPEED, MY WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, SHE LIFTED HER FOOT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ONCE AGAIN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10910245
“ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2017, I WAS BACKING UP FROM A STARBUCKS PARKING LOT WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES HARD TO AVOID ANOTHER CAR (ALSO BACKING UP)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11057506

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument panel or display goes dark or reboots

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2019-02

“STARTING UP THE CAR IN THE MORNING, THE DISPLAY PANEL WENT DARK. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND TRIED STARTING UP THE VEHICLE AGAIN WITH NO CHANGE. THE DISPLAY PANEL IS DARK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11176666
“THE SCREEN THAT DISPLAYS SPEED, FUEL REMAINING, ETC GOES DARK AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN I FIRST TURN ON THE CAR AND LASTS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11021531
“CHEVROLET VOLT 2014 HEAD UNIT REBOOTS WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION (CITY STREETS AND FREEWAYS). NO USER AUXILIARY DEVICE PLUGGED IN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10929023

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electric heater failure disables windshield defroster

VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-12 → 2018-12

“FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER NOT WORKING RESULTING IN POOR FORWARD VISIBILITY WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. WINDOW DEFROSTER NOT WORKING BECAUSE HEATING SYSTEM FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11163421
“THE ELECTRIC HEATING SYSTEM FAILED ON MY VOLT WHICH DISABLED THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER, CREATING A DANGEROUS VISIBILITY SITUATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11160660
“THE WATERHEATER PUMP ON THE CAR IS OUT AT JUST 53L MILES AND CHEVY STATES THAT THIS IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH WE CANT GET THE PART BECAUSE IT IS BACK ORDERED DUE TO SO MANY INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935519

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Propulsion power reduced / loss of motive power

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

26 NHTSA complaints · 2014-02 → 2025-08

“Propulsion power is reduced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11646151
“The car stopped working at a stoplight while I was driving my son to school. There was no warning other than a "Propulsion power is reduced" message seconds before it stopped working”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11558242
“The contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the contact stated that while attempting to merge in the right lane, the vehicle hesitated and shut off while in the roadway”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11614494

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger airbag occupant-detection sensor fault

AIR BAGS

32 NHTSA complaints · 2017-11 → 2023-03

“Passenger airbag sensor is faulty. It is available for inspection upon request. My passenger is at risk if the airbag does not deploy in case of an accident”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11509282
“Service Airbag warning light comes on and off. Reading message boards for 2014 Chevy Volt, is seems that this is a defective Passenger Occupancy Sensor that happens on a lot of Volts”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11506983
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITANTLY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11397782

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel sticking or locking sensation

STEERING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-01 → 2019-02

“MY VOLT STEERING WHEEL STICKS IN THE CENTER POSITION AFTER DRIVING IN STRAIGHT LINE. IT THEN REQUIRES SOME FORCE TO "BREAK OUT". AFTER THIS BREAKOUT IT OPERATES NORMALLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11173947
“I'VE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IT CAN BE TEMPORARILY ALLEVIATED BY TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF FOR SERVERAL MINUTES, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WILL USUALLY PERSIST AT SOME POINT THEREAFTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10898391
“STICKING STEERING. TEMPORARY LOCKING FEELING STEERING WHILE DRIVING FREEWAY SPEEDS AS WELL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10865641

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power button proximity to drive-mode selector

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2014-07 → 2015-10

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CHEVROLET VOLT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, HE INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OPERATING BUTTONS WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10614964
“IGNITION SHUT OFF ON MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE FROM NORMAL (ELECTRIC) TO HOLD (GAS) MODE. MODE BUTTON IS TOO CLOSE TO IGNITION POWER BUTTON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10781322

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 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)

2 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.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues 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 2014 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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