ChevroletVolt2012Overview/chevrolet/volt/2012/base/

2012 Chevrolet Volt

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Volt.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is a passenger car equipped with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios and an electric power‑train that requires 3.7 qt of 5W‑30 oil. Its modest oil capacity and 5W‑30 viscosity reflect the compact engine architecture that supports its electric‑assist system, and the model’s reliability is documented by a total of 245 owner complaints and two recalls, primarily involving air bags. Within the 20112019 model‑year range, the 2012 version experienced fewer complaints than the peak 690 recorded in 2017 but more than the 34 recorded in 2019, indicating a relatively stable early performance in the Volt’s reliability history.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA efficiency35/40/37 MPGeEPA · verified
EPA electric range380 miEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI N/A · 0 CCA battery, OE oil filter 55352643. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI N/A · 0 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter55352643
Engine air filter20871244
Spark plug12681655
Front wiper blades22742323 alt 22742324
Serpentine belt55569329
Thermostat55561627 alt 25200456
Cabin air filter13271190

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length177.2 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3757 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined35 / 40 / 37 MPGe
Electric range380 mi
Charge time (240V)4.0 hr
Electric motor111 kW
Energy use36.0 kWh/100mi
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Volt of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.5–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 2012 Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012Hatchback 1.4L I-4 + Elec 16-kWh8.50 sec16.50 sec149 hpFWD
2012Hatchback 1.4L I-4 + Elec 16-kWh9.10 sec17.00 sec149 hpFWD
2011Hatchback 1.4L I-4 + Elec 16-kWh8.70 sec16.70 sec149 hpFWD
2011Hatchback 1.4L I-4 + Elec 16-kWh8.80 sec16.70 sec149 hpFWD
2011Hatchback 1.4L I-4 + Elec 16-kWh8.80 sec16.80 sec149 hpFWD
2011Hatchback 1.4L I-4 + Elec 16-kWh9.00 sec16.90 sec149 hpFWD
2011Hatchback 1.4L I-4 + Elec 16-kWh9.20 sec17.00 sec149 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 5W-30 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.3 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.0-7.5
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity3.7 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.3 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts6.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.10 lbs
Oil TypePOE oil GM part No 88862657, or equivalent.
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Cranking Performance0 cca

Service checks

Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-62
RPM43-45 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-14 @ 50-90 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression174
Engine Oil Pressure55-94 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000-3500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle103 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle181 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.472 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 45,000 miEmission Control System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Volt saw a marked spike in complaints, rising from 49 in 2011 to 245 in 2012, before climbing further to 308 in 2013 and then dropping sharply to 93 in 2014. 2012’s recall count of two matches the modest increase seen in 2013, while investigations rose to three, the highest in the dataset. Complaints in 2012 were dominated by air‑bag (64), electrical system (43), service brakes (12), and fuel/propulsion (11) issues, with only six crash complaints and two fire complaints reported. The trend shows a peak in 2013 followed by a steep decline, indicating that 2012 sits at the beginning of a high‑complaint period that improves in subsequent years. Given the high complaint volume and the presence of multiple safety‑related areas, 2012 is less attractive than later model years, though the recall and investigation numbers remain moderate. A buyer should weigh the higher risk of issues against potential price savings, but overall 2012 is a less favorable year to purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1849
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
245
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 245 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags64
Electrical System43
Service Brakes12
Fuel/Propulsion System11
Unknown Or Other9
Air Bags,Seats8
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System8
Engine6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V145000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 13/03/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Volt vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, to June 26, 2013. If the driver exits the vehicle without turning off the electrical system, the battery may… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine management software to limit the time that the stationary vehicle can be left in the ON position, free of charge. The…

13V271000Electronic Stability Control (Esc)Reported 27/06/2013

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1849 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Volt. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Volt take?

3.7 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Volt have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What is the EPA range and efficiency of the Volt?

EPA figures are 35 city / 40 highway / 37 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 380 miles.