Recalls: Holden Volt
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Holden Volt
2012-13 Holden Volt: battery depletion and engine continuing to run
In April 2015, a recall was issued for Holden Volt vehicles that were manufactured from 7 May 2012 to 20 March 2013. If the driver forgot to turn the vehicle off when exiting and did not heed the associated warning tones, the battery may deplete to such a level that the petrol engine would start up to maintain charge in the electrical system. The petrol engine may then continue to run until the vehicle’s fuel supply was exhausted. If the vehicle were to run for long periods of time in a closed environment, carbon monoxide could accumulate and pose a health risk. The recalled vehicles had VINs in the range 5G8RZ6E41DU100024 to 5G8RZ6E45DU140316 (PRA 2015/14609).
2013 model year Holden Volt: loss of power or failure to start
In June 2018, a recall (campaign number N172130460) was issued for 2013 model year Holden Volt vehicles. In these vehicles, a low cell voltage condition in the battery pack could cause the vehicle to experience a reduction or loss of forward movement, or not start. If this condition occurred while the vehicle was being driven, it could pose a hazard to the driver and other road users. To warn the driver of this condition, a warning light would illuminate in the instrument cluster to advise that propulsion power was reduced. For the VINs of the recalled Holden Volt vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16848.
Problems and faults: Holden Volt
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2011-12 Holden Volt: daytime running lights may not illuminate
In 2014, Chevrolet UK issued a ‘non-code action’ for Chevrolet Volt vehicles that were manufactured from 17 November 2011 to 28 August 2012. Due to a software error, the daytime running lights in these Chevrolet Volt vehicles may fail to switch on when the vehicle was driven from dark to daylight. For affected vehicles, the Body Control Module (BCM) was to be updated with the latest software. The affected Chevrolet Volt vehicles had serial numbers in the range CU110435 to DU110346 (NCA/2014/019).
Holden Volt: whistle/chirp noise from engine bay
In February 2015, General Motors issued Service Bulletin PI1297B for 2013-15 ‘model year’ Holden Volt vehicles. According to the Service Bulletin, the driver may notice a whistle or chirp noise from the engine area after the vehicle had warmed up and there were four possible causes:
- A vacuum leak at the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) control valve. To fix, the camshaft cover assembly was to be replaced;
- A vacuum leak, most likely at the front crankshaft seal. For this cause, the whistling/chirp noise may head for up to 10 seconds after the engine was shut off due to the vacuum in the engine crankcase equalising with atmospheric pressure. To fix, the front crankshaft seal was to be replaced;
- A whistling noise from the water pump due to:
- Low coolant with air moving through the system;
- A noisy water pump bearing (indicated by a rattle or growl noise); or,
- The coolant shaft seal (indicated by a higher-pitched whine noise, typically heard at idle when the engine was warm).
- Drive belt or belt tensioner.
2013-15 model year Holden Volt: reduced propulsion power
In July 2017, General Motors issued service bulletin PIC6292 for 2013-15 model year Holden Volt vehicles. According to the service bulletin, drivers may occasionally see a ‘Propulsion Power is reduced’ message in the driver’s information centre that had not been previously present under the same driving conditions. This condition may be due to a ‘controls issue’ with normal wear of the high voltage battery, but did not indicate a problem with the battery itself. Once the engine was able to charge the battery slightly – by driving for a few minutes – the message should disappear.
2011-14 model year Holden Volt: steering wheel resistance moving off-centre
In June 2015, General Motors issued Service Bulletin 14232A for 2011-14 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles; in Australia, the equivalent model was sold as the Holden Volt. After driving long distances on a straight road, the steering wheel may exhibit increased resistance to moving off-centre due to increased friction in the steering system. While the steering wheel could be turned in this condition, increased effort would be required. To fix,
- The steering gear was to be replaced on pre-2012 model year vehicles; or,
- The power steering control module was to be re-programmed on 2013-14 model year vehicles.
In the USA, General Motors extended warranty coverage for this condition to ten years or 150,000 kilometres from the date the vehicle entered service, whichever came first.
