Is the 2013 Chevrolet VOLT reliable?

The 2013 Chevrolet VOLT has 448 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Chevrolet VOLT?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (161 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (63 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (53 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Chevrolet VOLT?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2013 Chevrolet VOLT?

The 2013 Chevrolet VOLT has an EPA rating of 37 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2077. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Chevrolet VOLT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Chevrolet VOLT is approximately $1,708/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2013 Chevrolet VOLT qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2013 Chevrolet VOLT may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2013 Chevrolet VOLT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Chevrolet VOLT has 448 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 284. The most common issue is air bags problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: when a cell phone is placed on the center of the passenger seat, the passenger seat belt warning light illuminates and arms the passenger air bag. no weight required. *tt. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 13 crash reports 15 injuries

448

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

161 complaints

36%

• WHEN A CELL PHONE IS PLACED ON THE CENTER OF THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND ARMS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. NO WEIGHT REQUIRED. *TT
• WAS ENTERING HIGHWAY IN THE DARK AND WENT TO PUT THE CAR INTO "HOLD" MODE TO RUN THE GAS ENGINE AND SAVE BATTERY CHARGE. THIS REQUIRES PUSHING A BUTTON 3 TIMES. I REACHED OVER AND PUSHED THE BUTTON. ACCIDENTLY WAS PUSHING THE "POWER" BUTTON WHICH IS RIGHT BELOW THE "MODE" BUTTON SHUTTING DOWN THE CA
• PAID DEALER $160 TO FIND OUT PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE HAD FAILED. THEY'RE ASKING FOR ANOTHER $820 (MOSTLY LABOR) TO FIX THE ISSUE BY REPLACING WITH PART #22968438 IN THE PASSENGER SEAT...SO I'M DRIVING AROUND WITH A BAD AIRBAG I GUESS. CAN'T SEE SPENDING 1000.00 RIGHT NOW TO FIX A BLINKING WARNIN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“WHEN A CELL PHONE IS PLACED ON THE CENTER OF THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND ARMS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. NO WEIGHT REQUIRED. *TT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Chevrolet VOLT

Based on 309 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 66K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

136

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Earlier than typicalmedian 52K mi · 31 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 23K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 18K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TIRES

Earlier than typicalmedian 2K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 47K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 76K mi · 113 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM14/06/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. An update to the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2 (HPCM2) may have disabled the cell balancing function causing a low-voltage condition.

Risk: If the voltage drops, the vehicle may lose propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the HPCM2, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18215.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2013 Chevrolet VOLT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$2,058

Per month

$172

Per mile

17.2¢

kWh/mi

0.91

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Chevrolet VOLT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,708

Full coverage / month

$142

Liability only / year

$638

vs US avg

+2%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1708

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet VOLT Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2013 VOLT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2013 Chevrolet VOLT

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 448 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: WHEN A CELL PHONE IS PLACED ON THE CENTER OF THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND ARMS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. NO WEIGHT REQUIRED. *TT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I WAS ON MY WAY HOME, IT WAS VERY DARK OUTSIDE ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY GOING 60-60MPH AND WANTED TO SWITCH OVER TO ELECTRIC "HOLD" MODE SO I COULD SAVE THE ELECTRIC BATTERY FOR CITY DRIVING. I GLANCED OVER AND HIT THE "DRIVE MODE" BUTTON THREE TIMES THINKING I WAS GOING TO SEND THE DRIVE MODE DOWN TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I LEASED A NEW 2013 VOLT ON FRIDAY AND DROVE IT TO WORK AND HOME ON MONDAY. THE BATTERY DISPLAY SHOWED IT WAS AT MINIMUM, ZERO MILES REMAINING. THE VOLT WAS RUNNING WITH THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. AS I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT, "'PROPULSION POWER IS REDUCED"', "'ENGINE NOT AVAILABLE"',
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I WAS ON MY WAY HOME, IT WAS VERY DARK OUTSIDE ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY GOING 60-60MPH AND WANTED TO SWITCH OVER TO ELECTRIC "HOLD" MODE SO I COULD SAVE THE ELECTRIC BATTERY FOR CITY DRIVING. I GLANCED OVER AND HIT THE "DRIVE MODE" BUTTON THREE TIMES THINKING I WAS GOING TO SEND THE DRIVE MODE DOWN TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)