Chevrolet Volt Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Chevrolet Volt across 9 model years. The 2017 model year has the most (27). The words owners use most often: “regenerative braking” (8% of reports).
- 100service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 17mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 20%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Regenerative braking: mentioned in 8 of 100 complaints (8%)
- Modulator valve: mentioned in 6 of 100 complaints (6%)
- Brake pressure: mentioned in 6 of 100 complaints (6%)
- Pedal applied: mentioned in 5 of 100 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 62 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 100 complaints, 17 mention a crash, 7 an injury.
Chevrolet Volt service brakes complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2018, 2019
Problem: 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.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Service brakes; electronic stability control (esc)
Model years: 2012
Problem: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured March 1, 2012, through April 17, 2012. Due to a brake pressure modulator valve problem, the vehicles do not relieve brake pressure from the front brakes during an anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), or traction control event. One or both front brakes may lock up and not release. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems"' and No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the brakes lock up it could cause a loss of steering control and/or a lengthened distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will install a new brake pressure modulator valve free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 12, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546. GM's recall number is 13184.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Car will randomly accelerate when not on gas pedal and/or a delay in brakes working. Has happened on more than one occasion.
A "service brakes" warning came up when I was parked in a parking lot and immediately afterwards the brakes stopped working when I was reversing in the parking lot and I almost backed up into another car. I had my car towed to Paradise Chevrolet and they diagnosed the problem as a faulty "brake…
I was driving in stop and go traffic on a relatively busy road when I was cut off. I braked hard to avoid a collision. Immediately afterwards, the car would not respond to the accelerator and would not go forward. I was in the middle of the road and the car would not respond. It could have caused…
I was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake. When the light turned green, I released the brake and the car suddenly accelerated forward on its own, without me touching the accelerator. As soon as the car surged forward, I immediately pressed the brake pedal hard to stop it but instead of…
Front brake calipers are sticking on, causing the brake pad to engage the rotor causing excessive heat. Risk of fire when parked in garage. I have had the calipers taken apart and cleaned and greased and still have the issue. I have read many reports on message boards of the same issue with no fix.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Volts have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 100 owner complaints about service brakes for the Chevrolet Volt. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Volt service brakes?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Chevrolet Volt?
The most frequent phrase is “regenerative braking”, in 8 of 100 complaints, followed by “modulator valve” (6).
Other Chevrolet Volt problems
- Electrical System problems (704)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (501)
- Power Train problems (432)
- Engine problems (368)
- Air Bags problems (310)
See all Chevrolet Volt problems.