Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chevrolet Volt owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was applied however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle and coast to a parking lot. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake module modulator needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 13V271000: (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximate 84,682. Vehicle exhibited the issues listed in the recall but your VIN is not included.
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow down, the brake pedal required an abnormal amount of pressure to slow the vehicle. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake pressure modulator valve. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V271000 (Electronic Stability Control, Service Brakes) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Grandson was driving and went to brake to make a turn and the engine not available light came on and he had no brakes. He was unable to slow and take the turn and hit a truck in the front driver quarter panel which resulted in the car being a total loss.
While traveling slowly (about 25mph) on an uphill grade, my Volt suddenly, with no warning messages or other alerts to me, lost propulsion, power brakes and power steering. This car is extremely hard to steer and to brake without the power assists, so I really had to wrestle with the wheel to avoid losing control of the car, and I really had to jam on the brake pedal to get it to a stop, even though I was moving slowly and had a gravity assist from the uphill slope. It seems to me an event such as I experienced could be catastrophic if it occurred at high speed, and / or on a steep downhill slope or a street with a lot of traffic. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the preceding vehicle suddenly stopped and caused the contact to suddenly depress the brake pedal. Since then, every time the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle shook and the brake assist warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to simpson Chevrolet of irvine (located at 21 auto center dr, irvine, ca 92618, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the electronic brake control module and brake pressure modulator valve failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 13V271000 (electronic stability control, service brakes); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: the approximate failure mileage was 120,000. …
This car relies on regenerative braking when the brakes are first applied. Regenerative braking is only applied to the front wheels. When a wheel loses traction, regen braking switches off completely and immediately, and friction brakes take over. The problem is that there is a delay from regen braking switching off to the friction brakes activating. This delay causes the car's braking distance to increase by a considerable amount, 5-10ft in my perception. This usually happens on wet or snowy roads. The car should really attempt to keep the perceived braking force constant by applying the friction brakes to compensate for the regen switching off and then activate the friction brakes and ABS, as needed, to limit wheel lock. This would make the experience a normal ABS activation event, which drivers of any modern car should be used to.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. After starting the vehicle, the brake pedal malfunctioned and was very difficult to depress. In addition, the brake sensor remained illuminated. While driving, the braking distance was extended due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to davidson Chevrolet (5871 rome tyaberg rd, rome, ny) where it was diagnosed that the electronic brake control module and brake valve malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V271000(service brakes). The contact indicated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact had to shift the gear into park in order to stop the vehicle. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, powered off and restarted the engine, and was able to drive. The vehicle was taken to south-pat o'brien Chevrolet (3880 pearl rd, medina, oh 44256, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the brake booster hydraulic and master cylinder failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
Breaks failed while driving 25-30 MPH on windy mountain road . There was no warning , car started to accelerate downhill gradually . After about 0.3 miles I was able to finally push emergency breaks (it's a button and didn't work at first ) get to more flat road and stoped the car by driving on gravel and dry brush . Vehicle completely lost its power about 2-3 minutes later . Emergency lights didn't work . Chp assisted us as car was abandoned in the middle of mountain road , blocking the whole line . GM has not offered any explanation yet .
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The contact stated that the brake pedal was applied and did not respond numerous times. The failure occurred intermittently. While driving, the transmission brackets fractured and caused the transmission to become detached. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection and repair. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V271000 (electronic stability control, service brakes). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes
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…
Remedy: 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.
Brake complaints in other Volt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, 10% of the model year's 245 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Chevrolet Volt brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-271 (service brakes, Jun 27, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Volt brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.