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2012 Chevrolet

Volt

Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.4 L

Chevrolet Volt: best and worst years
2012 Chevrolet Volt (photo 1 of 2)
2012 photoMariordo (Mario R. Durán Ortiz)CC BY-SA 3.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Compact CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Powertrain
Plug-in HybridEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel
Premium Gas or ElectricityEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Engine & performance

Axle ratio
2.16
Cyl
4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Motor kW
111EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Start-stop system
YesEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
40 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG City
35 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
MPG Comb
37 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,100EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
CO₂
87 g/miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Smog score
6/10
Elec. Range
380 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Range per hour (240V)
95 mi/hr
Recharge hrs
4EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/11/2026
Real-world MPG
138.9 mpg, reported by 60 driversabout 101.9 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

Length
177 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/4/2026
Width
70 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/4/2026
Height
56 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/4/2026
Wheelbase
106 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/4/2026
Curb Weight
3,757 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/4/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
2
Owner complaints
244
Reported injuries
11
Theft rate
0.1 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • AIR BAGS24%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24%
  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10%
  • ENGINE7%
  • SERVICE BRAKES6%
  • POWER TRAIN6%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 356 total.

Chevrolet Volt: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP22005opened Jan 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

    Pedestrian alert sounds

  • PE19013opened Sep 17, 2019AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

    Passenger Sensing System

  • PE11037opened Nov 25, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

    Post-Crash EV Fire Hazard

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

1,443 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Apr 1, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIT3271Q

    This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

  • Mar 9, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIP6104

    This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

  • Mar 9, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIP4902V

    This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

  • Jan 8, 2026UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIP4902U

    This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

  • Nov 20, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHERPIT5214G

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further sup

  • Oct 31, 2025AIR BAGSPIE0877

    This engineering informational bulletin provides process for a GM engineering study on curtain Takata Airbag Steering Wheel Modules and needs the used Takata airbags to be returned to GM.

  • Sep 9, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHER13598

    New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

  • Sep 4, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18-NA-180

    This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.

  • and 1,435 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60k mi
Maintenance
1 yr / 12k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.