I am a proud Volt and Bolt owner, but recently have had an issue with my Volt. The service airbag light is on, and the dealership says that it is the passenger side seat 'passenger presence module' that needs to be replaced, at a cost of over $800. The car is a 2012 with 65k miles, so is out of warranty, but I just find it really disappointing that this kind of manufacturer issue is not covered by the manufacturer through a recall or factory warranty. This isn't an issue of routine maintenance, and the car has never been in an accident, so it just does not seem like something I should have to pay $800 for. I used to only drive Prius' and Insights, and never had any such issue with my Honda's or Toyota's. I am new to Chevy as of this year with my new bolt and used volt, and am definitely disappointed if this is the level of manufacturer quality I can expect from now on. Has any one else had a similar problem with their first gen volt, and had any luck resolving it? Thanks!
2012 Service Airbag Sensor
1 - 20 of 46 Posts
It happens. It is out of warranty. Now if a lot of people have problems these things always get fixed under some program or other. But if you're first, or you have an unusual problem, then you're more on your own. Since you mention Honda, you can trust it happens with their vehicles as well. I know because I had a similar problem with a Honda. Since I was unlucky enough to be in the first wave I had to pay for the fix. People who had the problem later got theirs fixed for free since it was treated as a defect.
Luck of the draw. So to answer your question, I haven't had the problem with the Volt but I did have a similar problem with a Honda, and I didn't have any luck getting Honda to cover it.
Luck of the draw. So to answer your question, I haven't had the problem with the Volt but I did have a similar problem with a Honda, and I didn't have any luck getting Honda to cover it.
Joined
·
290 Posts
Make sure that you did not spill any fluids on the seat or get the seat wet. This can cause a issue with the system and will correct itself after it drys out. Not sure what codes are setting, may just need to be recalibrated. Have not seen any issues with this system on the Volt yet but any thing is possible. I have seen issues on may cars were the wiring under the seat gets pulled apart because of items under the seat hang up the wiring harness and then someone moves the seat and breaks the wiring.
Joined
·
561 Posts
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Update: I got a couple calls recently, one from the dealership and a few from GM, saying different things. First, the dealership called and said GM called them and said they'd cover the labor for the repair (I think about $250), still leaving me with a bill of over $500 for a seat sensor....... So I told them I wouldn't go forward with that, and then GM called me and said the dealership made me an offer and that GM would do nothing because it is out of its bumper to bumper warranty. So I guess it was just the dealership trying to be nice and covering for GM's manufacturing issue. Who knew that seat sensors were only expected to last 3 years/36k miles when made by GM. So disappointing, I have had no problems with my Bolt yet, but I can't say I will recommend the Volt to my friends who are interested. I almost kept my Prius C instead of getting this Volt, guess it was a bad decision on my end 
Joined
·
1,900 Posts
Same happened to me. $736. $100 discount off of that.
Joined
·
1,900 Posts
Mine is MY2013
Just an update. Chevy still isn't willing to help further, so I filed a Vehicle Safety Complaint on the NHTSA, where the NHTSA will review the information and cross check it with other complaints they received, and if they find enough similar complaints then they will contact Chevrolet to have them issue a recall- so even if you all have already fixed this problem with out of pocket expenses, I believe you can get a reimbursement. If anyone is interested in also submitting their experience to the NHTSA, it can be done at the following link: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/
I know it isn't that much money, but it's the principal of it to me. Chevrolet should back up their manufacturing quality and not make consumers have to choose between voluntary repairs or driving around in cars with airbags that won't deploy in the event of an accident.
I know it isn't that much money, but it's the principal of it to me. Chevrolet should back up their manufacturing quality and not make consumers have to choose between voluntary repairs or driving around in cars with airbags that won't deploy in the event of an accident.
Joined
·
48 Posts
Ugh. Same happening to me. MY2013. No accidents or spills on any seat.
I'll fill out the above form after I see what the dealer tries to get out of me.
I'll fill out the above form after I see what the dealer tries to get out of me.
I'm sorry to hear that......I'd be curious to see what they offer you. My dealer offered to basically not charge labor, so I'd have to pay just $550 something dollars for the part. Still hoping Chevrolet will issue some kind of recall
This has been happening to my MY13 volt for about 6-8 months now. Occasionally I will get the warning ding, then the airbag light will illuminate for a few minutes, then go out again. It used to happen infrequently, but is becoming more common as time goes on. Finally went in to get it serviced today, and was quoted >$1000 for the repair. The dealership blamed it on the seat getting wet (which has never happened) or me placing my 10lb laptop backpack on the seat all the time and breaking it. He also explained why the repair is so expensive. They have to replace the entire seat cushion since the sensor is embedded in the seat, and then there is a substantial calibration process to make sure the sensor triggers at the proper weights.
Joined
·
2,298 Posts
Passenger Presence System Service Kit
GM will replace the Passenger Presence System as a complete assembly including the seat cushion according to the article linked above...
Joined
·
86 Posts
Add me to the list. I've been happy with my 2013 Volt - UNTIL THIS! This is just crap. The mechanics at my dealership did some (free) tweaking and got the warning to go away for about 6 months. To have to shell out $800 (to replace what - just a sensor, the entire airbag?) is ridiculous. I've talked to several friends with 5-6 year old cars and no one has had this problem. I have a 6 year old RAV4 and the air bags are still working just fine. koldby19: thanks for starting the ball rolling with the complaint. I intend to join in and will be relating my experience to our local EV car club members at the next monthly meeting. It is WAY past time for GM and / or NHTSA to step up to the plate!
G
Guest
·It amazes me GM hasn't done anything for this. I have a CTS-V, and they were known for this as well. GM issued a "special coverage" for it that if it failed within so much time or miles (like 10yr 120k mi or something), they would fix it for free. Not a recall or a TSB, but something in-between. First dealer I took it too knew nothing, second dealer fixed it no questions asked.
Joined
·
12 Posts
My "Service Airbag" light/dinging will only go off if I have the correct amount of pressure in just the right spot. I have a VCX Nano and SPS subscription from just recently clearing the Service High voltage Charging System problems. From what I've read, there is a rezeroing procedure involved with replacing the PPS. Can I do the rezeroing calibration myself? if not, can I program the vehicle to stop triggering the Service Airbag light?
Joined
·
12 Posts
I have been getting this "Service Airbag" for well over a year now. In order for me to drive without ding ding, I have to place my backpack in just the right spot on the passenger seat to get the error message to disappear.
I recently purchased the VCX Nano and SPS subscription to reflash my HPCM2 after another issue with the coolant sensor. Is there anyway I can recalibrate or rezero my passenger presence sensor using these tools? If not, is there anyway to disable the check for this sensor in the Passenger Presence Module?
I recently purchased the VCX Nano and SPS subscription to reflash my HPCM2 after another issue with the coolant sensor. Is there anyway I can recalibrate or rezero my passenger presence sensor using these tools? If not, is there anyway to disable the check for this sensor in the Passenger Presence Module?
1 - 20 of 46 Posts
