2012 Chevrolet Volt airbags problems

86 complaints (35% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 98,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 86
of this car's complaints: 35%
typical mileage: 98,000
crashes: 3
recalls: 0

Which part fails

Sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
2
SRS malfunction warning lamp/light
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Chevrolet Volt airbags problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Chevrolet Volt airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 30

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Passenger Sensing SystemOpened September 17, 2019, closed July 2, 2021

In September 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-013 to assess the potential safety related effects of a malfunction of the Passenger Sensing System (PSS) in 2012-2013 Model Year (MY) Chevrolet Volt vehicles. Consumers reported that due to a malfunction of the PSS, the air bag system malfunction indicator light (MIL) was activated. Many of the complaints noted the malfunction occurred after the warranty period expired and mentioned high repair costs as a major deterrent to the repair of the vehicle.The PSS sensor mat is embedded in the front passenger seat cushion and is intended to detect child seats and small statured occupants who could be harmed by deployment of the frontal passenger air bag. The PSS may develop a malfunction due to bunching of the sensor mat in the seat trench. The bunching of the sensor mat could cause the mat to repeatedly fold in the same location. Over time, the repeated folding can cause an increased resistance in the sensor mat. An increased resistance in the PSS sensor mat is detected as a fault in the air bag system diagnostic. If this fault is detected, a diagnostic trouble code will be stored in the air bag control unit and the air bag MIL will illuminate.Further, if the fault is detected, the passenger frontal and knee air bags will be suppressed in a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment regardless of the nature of size of the occupant of the front passenger seat.The report counts shown above include only those reports that specifically address the issue covered by this investigation, failure of the PSS sensor mat. Reports alleging only that the air bag light is on with no cause stated, or where a different cause was otherwise identified, were excluded as the air bag light could be illuminated for system faults other than a PSS malfunction.The subject vehicles have been in service for approximately ten (10) years. An analysis of General Motors (GM) warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to similar occupant detection system failure investigations, indicates the subject vehicles experience a comparatively low complaint rate for this issue given the number of years the vehicles have been in service.GM has instituted a cost reduction program for the repair/replacement of the PSS in the subject vehicles. Based on this cost reduction program as well as:1) a comparatively low warranty rate; 2) no reported injuries, deaths or asymmetric deployments; and 3) the age of the vehicles; ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.

PE19013

What 2012 Chevrolet Volt owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · Airbags · UT

Airbag sensor failure in seat.

Filed Feb 25, 2025 · Airbags, Seats · OR

passenger presence detection system is malfunctioning, and causing a "service airbag" warning. This is a huge safety issue that could be detrimental or deathly in the event of an accident. This is a common issue among generation 1 volt owners, and should be considered for a recall or warranty coverage. The passenger presence detection system parts are discontinued, and even if I found the part the dealership cannot confirm for the pricey repair, that the airbag / sensor will not simply malfunction again -- which makes this a persistent safety concern and huge owner inconvenience to say the least.

Filed Apr 17, 2024 · Airbags · IL

In September 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened [XXX] to assess the malfunction of the Passenger Sensing System (PSS) in the 2012-2013 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. Due to that malfunction, the air bag system malfunction indicator light is activated. This could cause the passenger airbag to be suppressed in a crash. In July 2021, the ODI closed [XXX] after GM instituted a cost reduction program for the repair/replacement of the PSS in the subject vehicles. In July 2023, I took my 2012 Volt to a local dealer to correct this problem, only to learn that the necessary replacement part has been DISCONTINUED by GM and is no longer available. That is, frankly, unconscionable. I am requesting that ODI reopen the investigation and take further action to compel GM to make this repair available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 5, 2024 · Airbags, Seats · CA

This issue has been reported extensively: the federal safety agency PE19013. The passenger seat sensor has failed leading to the airbag turning on and off rapidly while driving. This is available for inspection upon request. I worry about the safety of occupants in the car. If the airbag is turned off despite a passenger sitting in the seat that is a problem. The price of repair at a dealer is very high considering that this is a very clear quality control issue by GM that has been acknowledged by both GM and the federal safety agency. This warning light has turned on before and then went away for a long time. Now it has returned and after some research it is clearly an issue that many other 2012-2013 volt owners have experienced.

Filed Dec 28, 2023 · Airbags · 100,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the front passenger’s side air bag Passenger Sensor System was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the part to repair the vehicle had been discontinued and no repair was available. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the part was discontinued. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Airbags · 127,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the "Service Air Bag" warning light intermittently illuminated. The contact notified a dealer about the failure and was provided a diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Action Number: PE19013 which was linked to the failure. the federal safety agency investigation was later closed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Filed Aug 10, 2023 · Airbags · OH

Airbag sensor harness underneath the passenger seat comes disconnected from moving the seat back and forth causing a warning on the dash. GM has a TSB about this and should rewire the harness for free. The passenger presence module is undetected when the seat moves forward but is detected when moved to its full rearward position.

Filed Mar 21, 2023 · Airbags · VA

Defective front passenger seat occupancy sensor. The defective sensor makes the passenger airbag unusable, sacrificing passenger safety.

Filed Mar 1, 2023 · Airbags · MO

The 2012 Chevy Volt Passenger Airbag Sensor was an issue that the federal safety agency investigated. It will cause the passenger side airbags not to deploy in a crash. I can reproduce the airbag warning light by pressing on the passenger seat. It has also been confirmed by an independent service center. There is supposed to be a reduced cost replacement program (according to the federal safety agency) but both dealers and the Chevrolet Support Center do not seem to know about it)

Filed Nov 30, 2022 · Airbags · KS

The passenger seat occupancy sensor is malfunctioning and needs replaced.

Questions about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt airbags

Does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 86 complaints about the airbags of the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, 35% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Volt airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 98,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Chevrolet Volt airbags?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Chevrolet Volt have bad airbags?

The Chevrolet Volt model years with the most airbags complaints are 2013 (161 complaints), 2012 (86 complaints) and 2014 (32 complaints).