2012 Chevrolet Volt — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is a hatchback powered by a 1.4L 4-cyl premium gasoline engine. It returns around 44 mpg (UK) / 37 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Chevrolet Volt workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Chevrolet Volt: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 44 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 1.4L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Fuel Type | Premium Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Plug-in Hybrid |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Hatchback |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 90 cu ft (2,549 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 18 cu ft (510 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 44 combined / 42 urban / 48 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 37 combined / 35 city / 40 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 54 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,200 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, all with the 1.4L 4-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl (Plug-in Hybrid) | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 44 | 37 (35/40) | 54 | $2,200 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 90 cubic feet (about 2,549 litres) and luggage volume at 18 cubic feet (about 510 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt
Running Costs: 2012 Chevrolet Volt
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Chevrolet Volt at 44 mpg combined, expect roughly 827 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Chevrolet Volt Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Chevrolet Volt (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Electrical system (1), Electronic stability control (esc) (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Electrical system — campaign 15V145000, reported 13 March 2015. Risk: If the engine runs for an extended period of time in an enclosed space, there may be a build up of carbon monoxide, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Electronic stability control (esc) — campaign 13V271000, reported 27 June 2013. 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.
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Volt. The most-reported areas are Electrical system (86), Air bags (86), Fuel/propulsion system (37). Complaints include 6 reported crashes, 2 reported fires, 11 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 169 complaints across the 9 Chevrolet Volt model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Electrical system (1 recall campaign · 86 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Air bags (86 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Fuel system (37 owner complaints) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
- Engine (26 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
Chevrolet models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Chevrolet Volt's 44 mpg is 15 mpg above that make average. Its 54 g/km CO₂ figure is 192 g/km lower than the 246 g/km Chevrolet average.
Of the 9 Chevrolet Volt model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 5th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (44 mpg UK combined, against a high of 50 mpg). See every Chevrolet Volt year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have?
It's fitted with a 1.4L 4-cyl premium gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (variable gear ratios) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
The most efficient configuration returns around 44 mpg (UK) combined, or 37 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Chevrolet Volt (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Electrical system (1), Electronic stability control (esc) (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt?
Among the 245 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Electrical system (86 complaints), Air bags (86 complaints), Fuel/propulsion system (37 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2012 Chevrolet Volt have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 90 cubic feet (about 2,549 litres) and luggage volume at 18 cubic feet (about 510 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.