According to Au7o's analysis of 180+ owner reports, the 2014 Chevrolet Volt has 3 documented known issues. No issues are rated critical, indicating generally reliable ownership. 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.
On the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt, 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 requires opening the battery pack to test and replace the heater coil. A failing heater coil measures below the required 80 ohms isolation resistance. This significantly reduces EV range in cold weather and can trigger fault codes.
Vehicle runs on gasoline only in cold weather (below 50F)
Battery will not charge or hold charge in cold temperatures
Reduced EV range in winter months
Engine runs constantly even with full battery charge
Battery coolant temperature warning messages
How to Fix
Have the dealer measure the heater coil resistance (should be 80 ohms). Replacement requires removing and opening the battery pack, which is a major service operation ($1,500-$2,500). Under the Voltec warranty (8yr/100k mi), this is covered at no cost. For out-of-warranty vehicles, some EV specialty shops can perform the repair for less than dealer pricing.
Owner tips & cautions
TipIf your Gen 1 Volt only runs on gas in cold weather but works fine in warm weather, the battery coolant heater is likely failing. Have the dealer measure isolation resistance - below 80 ohms confirms the failure. The repair requires battery removal and is covered under Voltec warranty
TipKeep the Volt plugged in during cold weather. The Level 1 or Level 2 charger will precondition the battery before departure, reducing stress on the battery heater. Parking in a garage above 50F eliminates the need for the battery heater entirely
High Confidence180 reportsLast reported by owners Mar 2026Reviewed Mar 2026
On the 2011-2019 Chevrolet Volt, 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) and, in worse cases, a failing Accessory Power Module (APM/DC-DC converter) that no longer keeps the 12V battery charged. Owners frequently need a jump-start after the car sits a few days. Note: Gen 1 used three non-interchangeable APM variants under one GM part number, which matters when sourcing a replacement.
Common Symptoms
Car completely dead / won't power on after sitting
Needs a jump-start despite full main battery
Repeated dead 12V battery every few days
Electrical gremlins and warning lights
Fails to enter Ready mode
How to Fix
Diagnose parasitic draw and update software; replace the weak/aged 12V AGM auxiliary battery. If the APM (DC-DC converter) has failed, replace it (professional HV service). Some cases traced to modules (e.g. OnStar) not powering down are resolved by software reflash.
On the 2011-2015 Chevrolet Volt 1.4L Voltec range-extender (Gen 1), gen 1 Volts (2011-2015) commonly display a 'Propulsion Power is Reduced' message with reduced acceleration and electric range, often with DTC P0A7F. GM traced this to an HPCM2 (Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2) software update that could disable the cell-balancing function, causing a low-voltage condition and potential loss of propulsion. Addressed via NHTSA recall 18V397 and GM recalls N172130460/461/462 (rolled out across 2011-2015 by year). Note: the frequently-cited Customer Satisfaction Program 17228 is the analogous program for the Gen 2 (2016-2017) Volt, not Gen 1; badly degraded packs out of the 8yr/100k HV warranty can still require costly module/pack replacement.
Common Symptoms
'Propulsion Power is Reduced' message
Noticeably reduced acceleration
Reduced electric-only range
Vehicle limits speed/power
How to Fix
Dealers reprogram/recalibrate the HPCM2 free of charge under the recall to restore proper cell balancing and provide adequate warning. If a battery module has degraded beyond limits and is out of the HV warranty, module/pack replacement is required and expensive.
Medium ConfidenceVerified0 reportsReviewed Jul 2026
NHTSA Recalls4 recalls
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.
Campaign #18V57600030/08/2018
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."
Campaign #18V67300026/09/2018
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.
Campaign #17V62100005/10/2017
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.
Campaign #15V44200010/07/2015
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 180+ owner reports, the 2014 Chevrolet Volt has 3 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: High-Voltage Battery Coolant Heater Failure (Gen 1), Gen 1 'Reduced Propulsion Power' — HV Battery Low-Voltage / Cell-Balancing Fault, 12V Auxiliary Battery Parasitic Drain / APM (DC-DC Converter) Failure Leaving Car Dead. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
Is the Chevrolet Volt reliable?
The 2014 Chevrolet Volt has 3 known issues documented across 180+ owner reports. No issues are rated critical, suggesting generally good reliability. 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. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
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. GM traced this to an HPCM2 (Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2) software update that could disable the cell-balancing function, cau… 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.
