Is the 2016 Chevrolet VOLT reliable?

The 2016 Chevrolet VOLT has 284 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet VOLT?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (77 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (63 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (51 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet VOLT?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2016 Chevrolet VOLT?

The 2016 Chevrolet VOLT has an EPA rating of 42 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1829. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Chevrolet VOLT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Chevrolet VOLT is approximately $1,817/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 2016 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 2016 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.

2016 Chevrolet VOLT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet VOLT has 284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 284. The most common issue is electrical problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: 2016 chevy volt wouldn't start, less than a year old, current on maintenance. towed it to dealer, they said there were some recalls - but couldn't tell me what was wrong. got it back after 2 days, was fine - then on 9/22/16 wouldn't start again - i was stranded in the dark, got it jump started. t. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 4 crash reports 2 injuries

284

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

77 complaints

27%

• 2016 CHEVY VOLT WOULDN'T START, LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, CURRENT ON MAINTENANCE. TOWED IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WERE SOME RECALLS - BUT COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG. GOT IT BACK AFTER 2 DAYS, WAS FINE - THEN ON 9/22/16 WOULDN'T START AGAIN - I WAS STRANDED IN THE DARK, GOT IT JUMP STARTED. T
• INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE CENTER DISPLAY CONSOLE GOES BLANK ON STARTING THE CAR AND IS COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. THIS DISPLAYS VITAL INFORMATION SUCH AS LOCATION, CHARGE CAPACITY, CLIMATE CONTROLS, ETC. COULD NOT FIND A WAY TO RESET THIS. IT CORRECTS ITSELF AFTER THE CAR IS OFF FOR A BIT. TH
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET VOLT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (F H DAILEY CHEVROLET, 900 MARINA BLVD, SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO

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

“2016 CHEVY VOLT WOULDN'T START, LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, CURRENT ON MAINTENANCE. TOWED IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WERE SOME RECALLS - BUT COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG. GOT IT BACK AFTER 2 DAYS, WAS FINE - THEN ON 9/22/16 WOULDN'T START AGAIN - I WAS STRANDED IN THE DARK, GOT IT JUMP STARTED. T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Chevrolet VOLT

Based on 91 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 44K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 46K mi · 27 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 43K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 22 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 58K mi · 8 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 (1)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL05/10/2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2016 Chevrolet VOLT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$1,813

Per month

$151

Per mile

15.1¢

kWh/mi

0.80

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 2016 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

$1,817

Full coverage / month

$151

Liability only / year

$679

vs US avg

+9%

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 rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1817

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 2016 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 2016 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 284 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: 2016 CHEVY VOLT WOULDN'T START, LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, CURRENT ON MAINTENANCE. TOWED IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WERE SOME RECALLS - BUT COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG. GOT IT BACK AFTER 2 DAYS, WAS FINE - THEN ON 9/22/16 WOULDN'T START AGAIN - I WAS STRANDED IN THE DARK, GOT IT JUMP STARTED. T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: IN REGARD TO RECALL 16055 REPROGRAM HYBRID POWERTRAIN CONTROL; MODULE 2. I HAD THIS RECALL DONE ON JANUARY 5, 2017. THIS SERVICE CHANGES SOME SETTINGS WITHOUT NOTIFICATION TO THE OWNER. CRITICALLY IMPORTANT IT CHANGES THE ENGINE RUN ON REMOTE START FROM OFF TO ON. IF THE OWNER STARTS THEIR CAR TO WA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A LEFT TURN LANE AT AN INTERSECTION. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE CAR THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SEEMED TO NOT EVEN IDLE BECAUSE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 2016 CHEVY VOLT WOULDN'T START, LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, CURRENT ON MAINTENANCE. TOWED IT TO DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WERE SOME RECALLS - BUT COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG. GOT IT BACK AFTER 2 DAYS, WAS FINE - THEN ON 9/22/16 WOULDN'T START AGAIN - I WAS STRANDED IN THE DARK, GOT IT JUMP STARTED. T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)