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2019 Chevrolet Volt Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2019 Chevrolet Volt carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering caliper and rear/other. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “Shift-to-park error preventing vehicle shutdown.” 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.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

Campaign #18V576000 · Aug 30, 2018

Issue: 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.

Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Campaign #18V673000 · Sep 26, 2018

Issue: 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."

Risk: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Chevrolet Volt.

Reported to NHTSA

Shift-to-park error preventing vehicle shutdown

POWER TRAIN

19 NHTSA complaints · 2020-12 → 2025-08

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11680128
“Vehicle has developed an intermittent issue when placed in park. Displays a message "Attention Needed: Shift to Park" accompanied by audio alerts inside and outside of the vehicle. This is obviously unsafe as the vehicle cannot be parked and turned off reliably”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11544689
“Intermittently, the car would not turn off, starting in about July, 2022. After shifting the car into park and pressing the On/Off switch, the car displayed a message like "Action required. Shift to park"”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11477609

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of brake power while stopping

SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2022-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11468198
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11464877
“LEASING 2019 CHEVY VOLT FROM DGDG CHEVY: END OF SEPTEMBER -- MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE (BRAKES): END OF SEPTEMBER 2019, THE VEHICLE HAD LIMITED BRAKE POWER (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11309907

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

High-voltage battery module malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2022-10 → 2025-04

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11655912
“Car just stops when the battery control module stops working. Potential to leave us stranded in traffic. Confirmed as a defective part by the dealer”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11487388

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of propulsion power while driving

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2024-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11595761
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11592645
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11558106

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.

3

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 2019 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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