The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·13V271000·Announced 2013-06-27

GM Recalls 2012 Chevrolet Volt for Brake Pressure Valve Defect

General Motors is recalling specific 2012 Chevrolet Volt vehicles because a brake pressure modulator valve issue may cause front brakes to lock up during safety system events.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect in the braking system that can lead to loss of steering control and increased crash risk, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

General Motors LLC is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Volt vehicles manufactured between March 1, 2012, and April 17, 2012. The recall addresses a defect in the brake pressure modulator valve. Due to this problem, the vehicles do not relieve brake pressure from the front brakes during an anti-lock brake system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), or traction control event. Consequently, one or both front brakes may lock up and fail to release. These vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 126 and No. 135.

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. The source text does not report any specific injuries or fatalities associated with this defect.

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will install a new brake pressure modulator valve free of charge. The recall was expected to begin on July 12, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
CHEVROLET VOLT
Brand
CHEVROLET
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Category
Vehicle — Braking System
Hazard
Affected units
4

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • VOLT

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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