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8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
53,950 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
2013 Chevrolet Volt electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Chevrolet Volt Owner Comments

problem #2

Dec 262019

Volt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving at about 65 mph on freeway in busy traffic. Car started losing power. The check engine light went on and engine shut down. Car slowed to a halt in traffic! It was towed to the dealer, and they do not know what is wrong. Car has been at dealer for 5 days now. They are working with someone at Chevy because the tech says it is showing 7 error codes and he does not know how to approach the problem. It is out of the standard warranty.

I bought it used and up to now it has been a great car. I was going to buy another. I don't think I will be buying another GM. I bought older GM car about 5 years ago and it has had nothing but problems. I think GM's best engineers went to work for someone else. I am going back to Toyota. Should have never left them.

Update from Jan 1, 2020: GM states that the Power Control Module failed. They will cover replacement under the 100,000 electrical warranty even though the standard warranty has expired. Whew! I was really worried.

- David G., Torrance, US

problem #1

Apr 032015

Volt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,889 miles

I had to stop quickly on the freeway due to cars ahead but the stop was not that abrupt, at least, the wheels did not lock up. My Volt died on me and I couldn't restart it. I was stuck on the freeway and cars were whizzing by. Nothing I tried to restart the car worked. Two cars actually got into a wreck trying to avoid my car.

I had the car towed and when the car was released from the tow truck I tried to start it, and it started up fine. I had the dealer look at it and the car worked fine for them. They went ahead and replaced the main control card just in case it had a problem. What I don't understand is why Chevrolet can make a car that shuts down its computer control when the car experienced a quick stop. I almost was killed on the freeway because of it.

That problem occurred about 6 Months ago. I wish that was the only problem I have had but unfortunately, this week I experienced a "heater malfunction" error. The check engine light came on. The AC/Heater was on but mainly set at an outdoor temperature (70 degrees). I continued driving to my destination and turned off the vehicle, but when I tried to restart it, it wouldn't start. It indicated "initializing...please wait". I tried for several minutes, to no avail. I left the vehicle and came back 5 minutes later, and the car started up fine.

From my experience and reading these posts it sure seems like GM has designed a death trap. The car is obviously too susceptible to computer glitches and poorly written code. A car should never be designed to just stop working under most alarm conditions, and instead, allow the driver to maintain drive control to ensure they can move the vehicle to a safe location. Mark my words - it will only be a matter of time before drivers end up dead because of this design.

- Alan R., Oakland, CA, US

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