2011 Chevrolet Volt Problems: 5 Known Issues
2011 model year · 180+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 180+ owner reports, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt has 5 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Post-Crash High-Voltage Battery Coolant Leak and Delayed Fire Risk (2011 NHTSA PE11-037) ($0-$0 repair) and 120V Charging Cord (EVSE) Overheating and Melting at the Plug ($0-$600 repair). The most commonly reported issue is High-Voltage Battery Coolant Heater Failure (Gen 1) with 180 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $150 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 5 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls4 recalls
STEERING
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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."
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Chevrolet Volt problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 180+ owner reports, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Post-Crash High-Voltage Battery Coolant Leak and Delayed Fire Risk (2011 NHTSA PE11-037), 120V Charging Cord (EVSE) Overheating and Melting at the Plug, High-Voltage Battery Coolant Heater Failure (Gen 1). Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Chevrolet Volt reliable?
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt has 5 known issues documented across 180+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Post-Crash High-Voltage Battery Coolant Leak and Delayed Fire Risk (2011 NHTSA PE11-037) and 120V Charging Cord (EVSE) Overheating and Melting at the Plug. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Chevrolet Volt problems?
Repair costs for known Chevrolet Volt issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Post-Crash High-Voltage Battery Coolant Leak and Delayed Fire Risk (2011 NHTSA PE11-037), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2011-2012 Chevrolet Volt Post-Crash High-Voltage Battery Coolant Leak and Delayed Fire Risk (2011 NHTSA PE11-037)?
During a May 2011 NHTSA NCAP side-pole crash test, a lateral member intruded the HV battery enclosure, damaging cells and causing a battery-coolant leak; 21 days later the coolant (conductive when the pack is charged) created an electrical short that sparked a fire consuming the… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2011-2012 Chevrolet Volt 120V Charging Cord (EVSE) Overheating and Melting at the Plug?
Early Gen 1 Volts shipped with a 120V portable charge cord (EVSE) that could overheat at the wall plug, becoming too hot to touch, melting the connector, and in at least one case causing a burn. GM initially blamed household outlet wiring but ultimately replaced the units. The or… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: high.
What is the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt High-Voltage Battery Coolant Heater Failure (Gen 1)?
First-generation Volts (2011-2015) can experience battery coolant heater failure. The heating coil is located inside the battery pack and can develop isolation faults, causing the vehicle to run on gasoline only when the battery is below 50 degrees F. The poor design placement re… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt Gen 1 'Reduced Propulsion Power' — HV Battery Low-Voltage / Cell-Balancing Fault?
Gen 1 Volts (2011-2015) commonly display a 'Propulsion Power is Reduced' message with reduced acceleration and electric range, often with DTC P0A7F. On 2013 Volts, GM traced one cause to an HPCM2 (Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2) service software update that could disable the… Repairs typically run $0-$8,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Volt 12V Auxiliary Battery Parasitic Drain / APM (DC-DC Converter) Failure Leaving Car Dead?
A widely documented Volt fault where the 12V auxiliary battery drains while the car sits, leaving an otherwise fully-charged EV completely dead and unable to power up. Root causes include parasitic draw from modules that fail to sleep (OnStar/telematics hang-ups, software bugs) a… Repairs typically run $150-$2,000. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.