Buyer Research

2016 Chevrolet Volt — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $10,000–$16,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.

Kestrel Take

The most sensible plug-in hybrid ever built and one of the best-kept secrets in used cars. 53 miles of electric range covers most commuting, and a gas engine removes range anxiety entirely. The second-generation Volt has a strong reliability record.

Known Issues for the 2016 Chevrolet Volt

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Battery capacity lossMedium

GM buffered the pack heavily and used liquid cooling, so degradation is modest. Still, check the electric range achieved on a full charge against the 53-mile rating.

Repair cost range: $4,000-$8,000 for a pack, rare at this age

Engine maintenance from infrequent useMedium

On a car driven mostly on electricity, the gas engine runs rarely. Oil ages by time rather than miles, and fuel sits. The car runs an engine maintenance mode automatically, but check that oil changes happened on time.

Repair cost range: $100-$800

Charging port and onboard charger faultsMedium

Charge port door and onboard charger failures leave the car dependent on gasoline.

Repair cost range: $500-$1,800

Rear seat and visibility limitsLow

Tight rear seating and a divided rear window. Practical limitations, not faults.

Repair cost range: n/a

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Electric range well below 45 miles on a full charge
✗Oil changes skipped because the engine rarely runs
✗Charging faults in the history
✗No home charging — the car makes far less sense without it

Good Signs

✓Full electric range close to 53 miles
✓Oil changed on a time-based schedule
✓Home Level 2 charging with a documented commute pattern

Found a specific Chevrolet Volt?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 Chevrolet Volt in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.