The 2015 Chevrolet Volt carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering steering. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Loss of brake function during operation.” 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.
STEERING
Campaign #15V442000 · Oct 7, 2015
Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured November 8, 2013, to March 12, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured April 11, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner tie rod may not be tightened to specification allowing the tie rod to separate from the steering gear.
Risk: Separation of the tie rod from the steering gear could result in the loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15386.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Chevrolet Volt.
SERVICE BRAKES
5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-05 → 2025-12
“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”
“Brake petal went to floor and now very hard to press”
“I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL,WHICH FELT MUSHY. AND MY VOLT CONTINUED PICKING UP SPEED AND WOULD NOT STOP”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-06 → 2019-12
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK AND TURNED OFF”
“MY '15 VOLT (99K MILES) CENTER INFORMATION DISPLAY STOPPED WORKING 3 DAYS AGO”
“WHILE DRIVING MY VOLT ON THE FREEWAY, BOTH THE NAVIGATION DISPLAY AND THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY WENT BLANK”
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-12 → 2026-08
“The vehicle experienced a catastrophic charging system failure”
“I LEASED A 2015 CHEVY VOLT, I USED THE SUPPLIED CHARGING STATION TO CHARGE THE VEHICLE”
“The car has not been able to charge since April of last year”
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
14 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2025-11
“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”
“Car experienced sudden loss of power while driving. Warning appeared 'Propulsion Power Reduced.' Was able to continue driving short distance home and parked”
“FRIDAY OCTOBER 30 AT 1 PM PACIFIC COAST TIME, MY VOLT LOST ALL POWER ON THE MIDDLE OF THE SAN MATEO BRIDGE”
AIR BAGS
8 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2025-03
“The passenger presence sensor in the front passenger seat is malfunctioning and spare parts to replace it are not available from the manufacturer”
“WHEN A PASSENGER GETS OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT A WARNING WILL FLASH SAYING TO SERVICE THE AIRBAG”
“THE SERVICE AIR BAG MESSAGE INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON”
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.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
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.
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.
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.
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.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
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.
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.
1
complaints mentioning a crash
1
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 2015 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.